World Mental Health Day: Punekar News and Anhad Conclude 111-Day Mental Health Awareness Program

Pune, 11th October 2023: Hyper-Local news portal Punekar News, in collaboration with Anhad Psychological Services, hosted a session titled “Mental Health Impact on Education and Empowerment of Students” on October 10th (Tuesday) to commemorate World Mental Health Day.

The event marked the conclusion of a 111-day-long series of awareness sessions under the Mental Health Awareness Program (MHAP). Held at the Balgandharv Auditorium, the program attracted over 250 youths from various educational institutions.

According to a recent study:
1) 1.2 billion days are lost globally due to depression and anxiety.
2) 14% of the Indian population requires mental health intervention.
3) There are only three mental health professionals for every 100,000 individuals.
4) 56 million people are affected by depression, and 38 million suffer from anxiety.

Avinash Dharmadhikari, former IAS officer and founder of Chanakya Mandal Parivar, said, “The mental health awareness program has been a great initiative. Such awareness programs, combined with practical interventions, are the need of the hour. The unique selling point (USP) of this program is its scientific temperament. I extend my best wishes to the team.”

Anil Savarkar, Head of the Psychology Department at Fergusson College, stated, “Every age group has its own stress triggers. For today’s youth, career pressures, relationships, and social comparisons are significant stressors. Professional guidance is crucial, rather than relying on media or friends. The key takeaway is that both happiness and failure are inevitable; learning to cope effectively is essential.”

Students praised the initiative, saying, “The program was highly informative. It made us realize the pitfalls of letting social media control our lives. We should focus on the essence of life rather than being consumed by digital distractions.”

Dipti Kolte, a lay counselor, remarked, “MHAP’s 111-day run is unprecedented. We’ve engaged with people from all walks of life, meeting them where they are, rather than expecting them to come to us. It’s a phenomenal achievement.”

Amit Singh, Founder of Punekar News and Director of MHAP, said, “Awareness is the first step toward change. This event is a significant milestone in empowering students to prioritize their mental well-being.”

Prof. Dr. Rishi Aacharya, Dean of PA Inamdar College of Visual Effect Design and Art, emphasized the importance of mental health education for youth, who are increasingly facing challenges like anxiety and depression.

Shilpa Tambe, Outdoor Awareness Coordinator & Trainer at Connecting Trust, argued that mental health education should start at the school level to help people express their emotions and seek support. “Mental health is a top priority. While there are numerous issues and a range of underlying causes, the problems often manifest as relationship issues, financial stress, and family conflicts. However, if we delve deeper, it becomes clear that the real issue is about effective communication—listening to each other, supporting one another, and being willing to listen. The challenge lies in the fact that people often lack the skills to express themselves and to understand others. Education on emotional expression and support should start at the school level. It’s important for people to realize that even though they may feel alone, they are not. A wealth of resources and support is available; it’s simply a matter of reaching out.”

Lalit Kumar, Founder of Prime Academy, praised the initiative for its potential to help students manage stress better. “I’m sure many parents and students will get to know the exact state of mind which the students go through. This event will definitely be helping the overall ecosystem in the favor of these students and they will know how to manage their stress better.”

Aruna Narayan, Vipasna Facilitator, said, “I believe the mental health awareness program that began 111 days ago is a much-needed initiative. We should be having more conversations about mental health, just as we do about physical health. It’s time to normalize mental health and eliminate the stigma surrounding it. People are often labeled as weak, ridiculed, or even called ‘mad,’ and this needs to change. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought these issues to the forefront, making it imperative for us to engage in open dialogues—among friends, between parents and children, and within communities—without feeling ashamed. I’m thrilled to be associated with MHAP and commend the founders and speakers for their openness and diverse perspectives. This is a fantastic initiative, and I hope it gains increasing traction, fostering more conversations among students, parents, and adults. I look forward to the positive impact we can make as a team in the future.”

Geet Vanni, Sound Alchemist, said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved—not just those who have collaborated with Punekar News, but also for students, organizations, and the general public. It’s crucial for us to become aware that mental health is an essential aspect of our lives. We need to adopt new approaches to prioritize our well-being, because both ‘I matter’ and ‘You matter.'”

Kamlesh Sonawane, CEO of Anhad Psychological Services, said, “We conceived this mental health awareness program with the aim of reaching people to generate awareness and encourage dialogue and action. I believe we have been successful in this endeavor, as we’ve reached over one million people both offline and online, including those in educational institutions and corporations.”

A diverse array of esteemed organizations, including Fergusson College, Prime Academy, Chanakya Mandal Pariwar, Arena Animation FC Road, Maharashtra Forest Department, Empire Spices and Food Limited, PAI University, Relfor Labs Private Limited, ASIFA India, SP College, Gokhale Institute, Modern College, Sevadeep Foundation, REWA NGO, Fluent Hydraulics, Pune, Sadhu Vaswani Mission, Sadhu Vaswani Mission Nursing College, Sadhu Vaswani Mission Teachers Training Institute, DES Smt Subhadra K Jindal College of Nursing, DES Navalmal Firodia Law College, and The Waterfront Resort, wholeheartedly participated in and lent their support to this transformative event.