Journey from Disappearance to Return
Prem (changed name), a teenage girl going through family tensions and emotional struggles, was deeply troubled by the environment at home. She was frequently scolded, and her feelings were often ignored. In frustration, she contacted the accused, who was a good friend of hers, and left home with him.

The accused first took Prem to his sister’s house, where she stayed for a few days. After that, he sent her to his friend’s house and eventually took her to his own home. Meanwhile, Prem’s family was searching for her. Due to the active efforts of the police, Prem was finally found and safely reunited with her mother.

However, even after returning home, Prem was unwilling to stay there. She felt that her elder sister, who understood her better and listened to her instead of scolding her, would be a more suitable guardian for her.

Rehabilitation and Psychological Support

With the support of her mother and social worker Safina Ji, Prem was taken to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) office, where personal and family counseling was conducted.

During counseling, Prem expressed her feelings. She shared that frequent quarrels over minor issues at home and her mother’s constant scolding made her feel neglected and helpless. Her mother, who was single-handedly managing the household and children’s responsibilities, admitted that she was mentally and physically exhausted, which made it difficult for her to pay attention to Prem’s emotions.

Psychological Evaluation and Support

The counselor observed unusual behavioral patterns in Prem. Despite serious discussions, she maintained a slight smile at all times, regardless of the gravity of the topic. Her responses were limited and slow, and she avoided direct conversations.

Considering this situation, the counselor recommended a detailed mental health evaluation and referred her to IHBAS (Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences) for psychological counseling. With the family’s consent, professional mental health assistance was suggested for Prem.

Steps Towards Education and Self-Reliance

To provide Prem with a new opportunity, she was enrolled in the 12th grade under the NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) through the efforts of the DLSA (NW) Secretary at the Prayas organization.

Additionally, counseling sessions included discussions on SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and the Human Development Life Cycle, helping her understand and manage social, emotional, and physical challenges.

Prem was encouraged to take vocational training in tailoring and knitting according to her interests, enabling her to become financially independent in the future.

Personal and Family Improvement

After five counseling sessions, positive changes were observed in Prem’s behavior:

✅ She started helping with household chores.
✅ She began learning tailoring and knitting privately.
✅ She was taught techniques to control anger and express emotions appropriately.
✅ Her mother was advised not to repeat past mistakes, ensuring Prem’s emotional stability.

Over time, Prem also found peace in spirituality and started spending time at a temple, further stabilizing her mental state. Meanwhile, Prayas confirmed her admission to NIOS in April, paving the way for her education.

Towards Independence and a Bright Future

Structured counseling, family support, education, and vocational guidance gradually transformed Prem from a distressed teenager into a confident young girl.

✅ Her mother, who previously felt helpless, learned to understand and support her daughter better.
✅ The family environment improved, giving Prem an opportunity to move towards a stable and positive life.

A New Beginning

As Prem moved towards education and self-reliance, her case was successfully closed—but this was just the beginning of her new journey.

✨ A journey filled with new opportunities, self-discovery, and independence.
✨ A journey that empowered Prem to take charge of her own future.

💡 Leading towards self-reliance, empowerment, and a bright future.