“It’s all in your head” is a phrase we often hear — more often than not — from our well-wishers, including family and friends, whenever we complain about our mental health. People don’t take critical anxiety as seriously as they take a common stomach ache! However, with increased awareness around mental health, both on social media and otherwise, things have changed for the better.

Now, there are many community support groups and one-on-one counselling services that are extending a helping hand to those in need. Sangath, a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation committed to improving health through physical, psychological, and social therapies has launched Mann Mela, India’s first museum of young people’s mental health stories from across the country, under their ‘It’s Okay to Talk’ programme. Each of their stories is told using art and technology-assisted exhibit, enabling you to interact with their world as they travel through their journey of finding hope, identity, meaning and empowerment. The project is built around the belief that stories are a powerful tool to further connectedness, resilience. and recovery. Besides this, the museum also provides psycho-educational materials that tackle common misconceptions, challenge stigma, and encourage seeking help. The effort is being supported by the Wellcome Trust.

Quicksand, a design-studio from Bangalore has also been collaborating with Sangath to bring the mental health museum to fruition. The initiative launched on International Youth Day, 2020, aims to achieve the UNDP Sustainable Development goal of promoting good health and well-being through youth engagement.

You can check out their website here.

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Project Socha – A Unique Mental Health Workshop For Young Indians