Meet Prakash Narayanan: Lawyer and Friend of Eli’s Place

Meet Prakash Narayanan, Lawyer and Friend of Eli’s Place. Prakash is a husband and a father of two young kids that happens to also be a lawyer and someone who enjoys the outdoors.  He takes inspiration from those who make meaningful contributions to our society and is trying to inculcate that habit in his kids.

How did you become a Friend of Eli’s Place?

I was introduced to Eli’s Place by another board-member, Trixie (Beatrice Traub-Werner), through a mutual friend.  Being able to use some of my skills as a lawyer to give back to our society struck an immediate chord with me. As I met the founders and the rest of the Board and learnt more about the unique rural residential facility Eli’s Place contemplates, I was convinced that this was an idea that could make a real difference to people’s lives.  I wanted to do my bit to make Eli’s Place vision and mission come true.  

How have you been involved with Eli’s Place?

I am fortunate to be on the Board of Eli’s Place.

What would you like to add to the conversation about mental health? 

What’s missing is Eli’s Place! Young adults, in particular, are in a vulnerable position — they often fall into gaps precisely at the time when they are trying to find their place in society.  Providing them support as a community during this time is critical to ensure that they live fulfilling lives as positive contributors to society. I’d also like to spread the message that there is no shame in dealing with mental illness – it exists, and we need to figure out how to deal with it.  As a member of a visible minority group, I’m hoping that I can help spread that message more broadly through my association with Eli’s Place.

What does our tagline Where Recovery Grows mean to you?

To me, it means coming together as a community to assist in ensuring that everyone has the ability to live a fulfilling and purposeful life in society.