From 30th Jan to 1st Feb I facilitated SALT and CLCP with Team PIECES from organisation called SCARF in Chennai, India. They are working towards patient-owned approach to mental illness.  When the whole group developed their dream, one of the sub-groups which called themselves Zen group shared their dream in the form of pictures and had powerful insights. I feel honoured to share it as a blog in their…

In my ten-year journey as a clinical psychologist, I have had the privilege of witnessing the dynamic changes in mental health practices. While firmly grounded in the fundamental principles of Carl Rogers' patient-centered approach, my 1-year long exposure to SALT has been truly transformative. This innovative methodology has provided me with a renewed perspective, placing the patient in the role of the expert rather than the therapist.…

I have been practising SALT for the past few months and I feel more connected with people. SALT has made me have in-depth conversations with my closed circle, where I can feel their emotions as I'm more present in the conversation. Sometimes, when I can only have conversations over phone, SALT has helped me "be there" with the person talking. It has made long distance, short.

SALT conversations has helped me understand a different perspective (perspective of the…

I have found that using salt as a starting point for conversations has been helpful for me. However, in the beginning, it was not easy to incorporate salt into my conversations in a subtle manner. It took me a long time to even consider using salt approaches, and I often found it challenging to bring up salt components during conversations. I have even avoided using this approach as I was uncertain about how to integrate it into my discussions. Since most of my conversations have been with…

It was a hazy winter evening at the Tea garden community of Dima, around 4 pm- 20th Jan'24. We had conducted one home SALT visit. Nityam and Rati urged us to do another SALT visit to the home of a tea garden worker- Pushpa . Anuradhaji, Shahrukh, and me, we joined them.…

There is a saying in English, "The wearer knows best where the shoe pinches". Mean he who hurts is understood best. We also think that the problems of every community, every society are known and understood only by the people of that society. So before we do anything, we first sit down with our community and try to understand their needs.

In…

What Rohit Sharma didn't get to learn in the first ten matches, he might have learned in the last one. Defeat is a great teacher. His fee is not affordable but his teaching is enough for life, improves life, makes mature!

We enjoyed the first ten matches. We all celebrated the joy of winning. But still one last match upset the whole country.…

Hello everyone, this is Farjana Yeasmin, Co-founder of Alokito Shishu (Enlightened Children) Trust and part of the amazing SALT Team of the 'Addressing Root Causes' project in Bangladesh. I'm sharing today an amazing experience of our organization's Annual Workshop recently organized to recognize the efforts of 2023 and shaping a shared dream for 2024.…

A few days ago, I had a hearty chat with Sadia Apu, a wonderful person whom I had met earlier in my training session. Whom I lovingly call Lovely.

     Our conversation was wonderful and instructive. For example, I did not understand when we went through the salt while discussing. I am sitting thinking about my weakness,…

Ms P is a single woman, 26 years in age. A software professional, has had a steady work profile. She is academically very good.

I met her at a wedding reception of common friend. When she realised, I was a mental health professional, very hesitantly, she told me, “I don’t love myself. Is that wrong?” It is not unusual for a psychiatrist to be asked “mental health related” questions in a social setting. So, I geared myself to an extended conversation. However, instead of probing on the…

Mariam, a cheerful and energetic minded girl and I had a conversation last 3rd January, 2024.

I was going to Dhaka in 3rd January for a sudden trip and forgotten about the meeting we fixed. I returned home in evening and was a little bit tired. Around 9.53pm Mariam what's app me that she sent meeting link within 5min and I was like "oh,…

A SALT-CLCP was conducted at Ethnic Community Development Organization (ECDO) on January 1, 2024. The purpose of the meeting was to foster a sense of community, identify team strengths, articulate common goals, and establish self-improvement and organizational development practices.

Overview of the Session:

1. Establishing Norms: The session launched by collectively establishing norms to guide community interactions as developing a…

Hi everyone ! This is Dheeraj Lepcha on behalf of my colleague Rati Lama (SALT field) and Pancham Minj from Rural Aid NGO working with support from Global Fund for Children in Alipurduar District, Kalchini block (State of West Bengal, India). We had already started working on community sustainability and ownership in our tea gardens through CLCPC SALTs approach.

To fulfil every dream, there needs to be someone who has to spark the spirit of…

Last night, I had a heartfelt chat with Sneha Apu, a fantastic person I met during a past training session.

Sneha Apu is as sweet as the advice she gives. We both shared our challenges and extended kind words to each other.

What made our talk even more special was realizing we were both facing similar hurdles. In no time, we bonded over our shared experiences. After our conversation, I felt a sense of calm wash over me, and a renewed enthusiasm sparked within.

In moments…

Within the realm of the NIHR-supported PIECES project, I have found a fertile ground for new insights and continuous learning. Personally, the introduction of the innovative SALT methodology has been a revelation. Guided gently through training by SCARF, the PIECES team, and Rituu Nanda, I've embarked on a journey of discovery, gradually weaving this vibrant methodology into the fabric of my conversations.

In my experience, kickstarting discussions by encouraging individuals to share…

I used to work in UNDP Solution Exchange when I was first exposed to SALT. Laurence from the Constellation interviewed me for the newsletter, find the extract here. At that time, CLCP was called Aids competence (ACP). I started facilitating much later, as it took a lot of time to process a strength-based approach and move from an expert mindset. I did not give up and I finally took the first…

The PIECES project supported by NIHR , UK is  a very fertile ground for new learning!. Indeed the absolutely new SALT methodology (for me, personally) is an  eye-opener. In my experience, asking people to speak about the most important and positive moment(s) in their lives works seems to be practical conversation starter. Thanks to the gentle nudging as part of training by Rituu Nanda and Kauser Khan, I am in process of learning to use this very vibrant methodology in conversations with…

Life's pretty hectic, right? Well, imagine sitting down with someone who's like a walking encyclopedia of wisdom but talks in everyday language. That's Santi Ram Didi for you! Three/four days back, I got to have this amazing chat with her, and little did I know, it was going to be this mind-blowing journey filled with simple yet deep…

Gram Panchayat is the local government in villages of India.Gram Panchayat Election which could not be held in Vashi village in 2021 was finally held in Nov 2023.

I met the Sarpanch (head) of the panchayat and had a SALT conversation with him. My colleague at Avani connected me with him. SALT creates a beautiful relationship in which everyone benefits. The…

We organized a brief meet and greet with the dedicated volunteers affiliated with our esteemed Grow Your Reader Foundation at our office on 23rd December 2023.

Among the various engagements scheduled for the day, a noteworthy highlight was a short SALT session designed to foster camaraderie among all participants.

The primary objective…