Program Components

Cognitive retraining procedure

Once the impaired areas are identified through various initial assessments an individualized program is made to suit the unique needs and abilities of the client. Various short term goals are set for them depending on their capacity. If the client has improved another goal is set. 45 minute sessions are held once a week and a record of the same are maintained

2. Counselling
Our clients are given opportunities to share their stressors through individual counselling sessions which provides them insights as well as methods of coping. Various counselling techniques are used depending on the need.

3. Social Skills Training
Toimprove relationships basic social skills are worked upon through various interactive and fun sessions.
a. Group therapy
Helping our clients realize that he or she is not alone — that there are other people who have similar problems.These sessions focus on improving social skills and interactions with others, through activities like discussions, role plays and presentations.

b. Recreational Therapy
Recreational therapy include creative arts, leisure education, outdoor and indoor games.

c. Music and Dance
These sessions are used to increase self-esteem, reduce stress, improve mobility and muscle coordination and to express emotions and feelings.

4. Vocational Therapy
Individuals who have experienced impairment in their functional level due to illness or injury may require vocational therapy to allow them to return to work. Vocational therapy at COOJ works with individuals and their new physical or mental status to find an appropriate occupational match.

We at COOJ evaluate our client’s skills and assign them work based on their abilities. Initially they are taught a basic step and as they master it they are taught the next step. The products that our clients make are:
Newspaper Bags
We reuse newspapers and make paper bags of two types that is bakery bags and shopping bags. The bakery bags come in two sizes(measurements are in inches): Small Bakery Bag (height 11, width 5.5 and breadth 4) and Big Bakery Bag (height 15, width 7 and breadth 5.5). The Shopping bags have handles (height 15, width 12.5 and breadth 4.5).
a. Employment Training
Understanding the importance of mainstreaming to earn stipends/ incomes in order to improve self-worth and confidence in our clients, we provide training in various work related aspects ranging from ethics and communication to vocational skills according to individual capacities. The products made under the Employment Training are:
1. Gift Bags: We prepare bags to suit any occasion. These are tailored to individual requirements of the customer.
2. Folders: We make folders out of handmade paper which are tailor made according to the requirements of the customer.
3. Wine Bags: We prepare bags to gift the choicest of wines.
4. Paper mache bowls: If you need a place to keep your keys or hair accessories you are assured that they are safe in our paper mache bowls and trays.
5. Painted Items
A. Canvas Paintings: Decorate your home with paintings by a trained artist who fights with his illness relentlessly.
B. Bottle Art: Old wine bottles are given a transformation and a new value of being a piece of art. You can reuse these bottles to gift wine or as a center piece.
6.Flowers: We make bouquets of cloth and paper of various designs.
7. Festivities: We make items for Christmas and Diwali. For Diwali we prepare cards and diyas and for Christmas we make tree hangings, stockings, and wreaths. Cards and occasions are also made.
8.Greeting Cards: We make cards that cater to any occasion from birthdays to weddings to Thank you cards to Christmas cards.
9.Envelopes: Different size envelopes are made to suit any occasion as per order.
10.Frames: If you want to capture a memory and show if off in your home or tables our basic Cardboard Frames with different designs will add more emphasis to the memory. These are made in the following sizes……as well as per order.
11.Diaries: Stay organized and in tune with your daily schedule with our handmade diaries.

b.Supported employment program
This provides opportunities to clients who are sufficiently stabilized and have developed basic skills to be employed in a protected environment with minimal supervision. The COOJ Shoppe is one such outlet which inaugurated on 24th May 2017 on the occasion of World Schizophrenia Day. The clients working at the shop are trained in basic typing and computer skills. They can also print, Xerox and laminate documents.

Family Support Group
Carers Hope
Along with the person suffering from illness the family too undergoes emotional stress and hardships. What helps is empathy, understanding and a listening ear. The carers hope provides them with an opportunity to express their fears, feelings, and help them cope. A meeting is held for carers after every 3 months

c.Client Support Group
Friends Club
Friendships play an important role in our lives. They help us share our thoughts, feelings and ideas with one another. The clients at COOJ have come together and formed a “COOJ FRIEND’S CLUB” which gives the clients a chance to build friendships, develop talents and learn things from each other and plan activities through meetings held every month. This is open to anyone with psychological disability. The friends club consists of a committee which comprises of a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. An annual fee of Rs. 100 is obtained and a membership form is handed to a new entrée. The activities range from cooking activities like omlet making or sandwich making to competitive activities like lemon race or tennicoit as well as educational activities which involve inviting a resource person. The club also uses various strategies to build funds and hence they worked together to prepare some products like tree hangings for Christmas.