ABHAYA was born out of a deep concern for the helpless mental patients of the Government Mental Hospitals of Kerala. The relentless effors of ABHAYA focused the attention of the public, the Government and particularly the judiciary on the pitiable conditions of the mental hospitals of Kerala. The most significant achievement of ABHAYA was that after 150 years of isolation, the mental hospitals of the state were thrown open to public scrutiny. Since its inception in 1985, ABHAYA has been able to arouse public opinion and influence Government policy on the running of mental health institutions. Consequently the mental health scenario of Kerala is undergoing a healthy change. ABHAYA could not confine itself as an advocacy group for long but branched out as a service group taking care of mental patients, women in distress, the alcoholics and drug dependents and the children of high risk groups. The following institutions are now functioning are now functioning under ABHAYA in Thiruvananthapuram.

I too am a refugee. Let this land be a refuge for the homeless and the most unfortunate. I bless this soil and pray for Abhayagramam. - H. H. Dalai Lama Abhaya is an institution which offers shelter to mental patients. It is a product of creativity and compassion. Its efforts in extending a helping hand to helpless mental patients are praiseworthy. The scientific methods adopted by Abhaya in dealing with the problems of patients are worth emulating. - Sri. K.R. Narayanan