Manasa National Awards have been instituted by Manasa Trust, Shivamogga in memory of the late Dr. K.A.Ashok Pai, eminent psychiatrist, B.C.Roy awardee and Chairman of Karnataka State Mental Health Task Force. Dr. Ashok Pai was a well-known writer, speaker, novelist, maker of national award winning films and a renowned media personality. He dedicated himself with missionary zeal to the cause of psychiatry and used all platforms and media to enhance mental health awareness. His pioneering work in community psychiatry has inspired many young psychiatrists and scholars to take expertise in mental health to the doctors of the rural, under privileges classes of society. He founded Manasa Trust, a family trust for promoting mental health awareness through educational, cultural, literary and media related activities.

After his untimely demise on 29.09.2016, Manasa Trust decided to institute Manasa National Awards to recognize and honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of mental health. The awards are meant to honor individuals who have brought about social transformation through dedicated community work.

One of these awards carrying a citation and cash prize is given to an eminent individual who has taken up mental health related activities through any means such as practice, writing, social activity, educational programmes in such a meaningful manner that his work has led to substantial impact and transformation in society. The second award is given to an eminent individual who has made a seminal contribution to research in any area of Mental health of a kind which has both academic value and social relevance. The award carries a citation and cash prize.