Department of Psychology & Department of Student’s Development
World Mental Health Day
Date: 10th October, 2024
Sir Sitaram and Lady Shantabai Patkar Hall
SNDT Women’s University, Churchgate
World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated on October 10 every year, offers a chance to spread awareness of mental health issues and to organize global initiatives to support mental health. SNDT Women’s University coordinated an all-encompassing celebration on this significant day in accordance with its goal, in conjunction with the Department of Students Development and Department of Psychology. The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day was “It is time to prioritize mental health in the workplace”. Prior to the main event, students organized several fun and unique games and activities for recreation in the university quadrangle from 7th to 9th October culminating into the main event held on 10th October.
Inaugural ceremony, the Head of Dept. of Psychology Dr. Nilesh Thakre (left) with the guests of honor- Ms. Kripa Shetty, Vice-Chancellor of SNDT Women’s University Prof. Ujjwala Chakradeo, Dr. Harish Shetty, and Head of Dept. of Student Development Dr. Nitin Prabhutendolkar.
The celebration included a day filled with motivating speeches from esteemed speakers and cultural as well academic activities such as a panel discussion, quiz competition, skit, singing and dance performance, all aimed at fostering a comprehensive and captivating understanding of mental health.
As the event commenced, the inaugural ceremony of the main event took place with the introductions and felicitation of the chief guest Dr. Harish Shetty, psychiatrist, President of My Home India and governing board member of NTA; the guest of honor Ms. Kripa Shetty, CHRO, Defense, Aero, Trucks & Buses & CE Businesses, Mahindra & Mahindra; and Shri Ravi Iyer, CEO of Live With Joy, along with the Vice-Chancellor of SNDT Women’s University Prof. Ujjwala Chakradeo, Head of Dept. of Psychology Dr. Nilesh Thakre (Convener) and Head of Dept. of Student Development Dr. Nitin Prabhutendolkar (Co- convener).
The event was also graced with the presence of distinguished university faculty members, Ms. Chaitri Dave, Ms. Durgesh Badeswal, Ms. Tasmiya Kazi, Ms. Takreem Malick and Ms. Akshata Joshi. The guests were welcomed to the venue by the hosts with a heartfelt welcome note, setting a respectful tone for the day’s proceedings. A moment of silence was observed by the guests as well as audience prior to commencement of the event in honour of the unfortunate demise of Mr. Ratan Tata. Following this, the University song, State song and National Anthem were sung to instill a sense of unity and pride among attendees regarding the nation as well as the core values of the university.
Dr. Nilesh Thakre, Head of Department of Psychology was invited to provide a powerful opening address to welcome our guests along with offering an insightful overview of the progress the psychology department has made in advocating for mental health awareness and the importance of de-stigmatizing mental health challenges in society. Each dignitary was presented with a token of appreciation for their invaluable contributions. Guest of honor Ms. Kripa Shetty was honored for her advocacy work, particularly in community mental health, while Dr. Harish Shetty, who was the chief guest for the day was recognized for his pioneering work in psychiatry and mental health activism. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ujwala Chakradeo, was celebrated for her continuous support to mental health initiatives within the university.
Dr. Nilesh Thakre, Head of Department of Psychology, SNDT Women’s University was recognized for his decades of support and encouragement to the next generation of mental health professionals in an academic institution. Dr. Nitin Prabhutendolkar, Dean of Department of Student Development was felicitated for his dedication to uplifting students and nurturing their development. Each of the guests motivated the audience with their words, emphasizing various points such as one’s purpose in life, expectations and stressors faced by the youth and the efforts of professionals in providing relief to mental health concerns.
Winners of the digital poster-making competition were awarded by the guests with trophies of 1sr, 2nd and 3rd prize for their creative expression of mental health themes. The posters explored various aspects of mental wellness, resilience, and the importance of seeking help. This competition was a testament to the students’ understanding of complex mental health issues and their ability to convey these ideas visually.
The event continued with the guest of honour Ms. Kripa Shetty addressing the audience regarding the importance of neighborhood-based mental health programs. She emphasized empathy and community involvement as critical for mental health care, and reinforced this message through touching stories from her own experiences dealing with vulnerable people.
Prof. Ujwala Chakradeo, Vice Chancellor of SNDT Women’s University, spoke about the value of academic institutions actively promoting mental health. She highlighted existing university programs aimed at integrating mental health assistance into student services and urged collaboration between students, teachers, and mental health experts.
The venue, Patkar Hall, was energized by an interactive session with Dr. Harish Shetty, a renowned psychiatrist and advocate for mental health. Dr. Shetty interacted with the audience in a fun-filled session and imparted important advice to remember in life for youth. He sparked a lively conversation about the state of mental health today, stressing the importance of early intervention and honest communication. Dr. Shetty aimed at dispelling stigma associated with mental health issues and dismantling barriers to treatment by using personal tales and real-world experiences.
Following a lunch break of an hour, the afternoon session of the event resumed with a wonderful monologue by Gargee Majumder from MA Part-II where she narrated a story called “Sach ya Veheim” showcasing mental health struggles of individuals suffering from Delusions. Following this, the students of MA Part-1 later on enacted a mesmerizing skit titled “Umeed ki Roshni” which shed light on the countless stressors of the everyday and how one must seek help when in need. The play reflected key themes of hope, inner strength, social support and resilience, thereby eliciting thunderous claps and a standing ovation from the audience.
A short surprise act was then presented by Priya Tripathi and Yashika Raje, who belonged to Industrial/Organizational Psychology. The short play filled the hall with laughter as the students enacted the conversations between Karan Johar and Orry Awatramani from an episode of Koffee with Karan. Elevating the cultural spirit of the celebration even more, MA Part-I students presented a dance performance titled “Echoes of Emotion” symbolizing the relationship between mental health and the performing arts. It was a medley of songs loosely tied by the narrative story of a character’s life.
Giving stage to academic conversations, a panel discussion was later held which was enriched by the expertise of Dr. Satishchandra Kumar, former professor and Head of department of psychology, University of Mumbai, Industrial and Organizational Psychology Expert; Ms. Varsha Patkar, Psychologist, Counselor and Rapid Transformational Therapist and Counseling Psychology Expert; and Ms. Sophia Peermohideen, Clinical Psychologist, Behavioral Therapist and Clinical Psychology Expert.
The panel discussion was themed “Supporting Mental Health: Resources and Initiatives” which was moderated by Dr. Nilesh Thakre. The discussion encouraged communication between professionals and students and offered fruitful dialogue, ccentering around the current issues in mental health care, social media’s effect on mental health and well-being, and the use of technology in mental health interventions. It answered questions crucial to students currently pursuing their Master’s in the field of psychology as well as highlighted the importance of authentic practice and knowledge of the Mental Health Act, 2017. Then, a quiz competition was held to kindle the thirst for knowledge in everyone present. After the final round, 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes were finally awarded to the members of Team 1, all of whom belonged to MA Part-II.
The performances for the event concluded with “Healing through Hope and Harmony”, a serenade of melodious songs sung by Snehanjali Selvan, Counseling Psychology student and students of MA Part-I. Finally, the hosts expressed their gratitude to the entire team involved in the event for their efforts, professors for their continued support, the guests for their valuable contributions and the audience for their cooperation and enthusiasm throughout the event.
The esteemed dignitaries offered their concluding statements during the valedictory program, reflecting on the day’s successes and the significance of extending the debate about mental health beyond this one event. They conveyed hope for further projects and commended the participants, students, and staff for their commitment to fostering mental wellness.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the host expressing gratitude to all attendees, participants, and organizers, ending the event on a positive note, with a commitment to future mental health initiatives.
