Panel Discussion – PATHWAYS TO RECOVERY

The Department of Psychology of SNDT Women’s University, Churchgate organized a panel discussion titled ‘Pathways to Recovery’ on Monday, 2^nd December, 2024 in collaboration with Bipolar India, Sangath, Project Encephalon, CBM NIMHANS and with the support of Mariwala Health Initiative. The panel discussion showcased the importance of mental health awareness and recovery.

The event was graced by the presence of notable panelists Dr. Milan Balakrishnan, psychiatrist and researcher; Dr. Hvovi Bhagwagar, therapist and SNDT Women’s University alumna; Mrs. Saraswati Suresh, caregiver mental health advocate; Ms. Joyce Thayil, lived experience expert in mental health recovery and Dr. Nilesh Thakre, Head of Department of Psychology at SNDT Women’s University, Churchgate. The session was moderated by Mr. Vijay Nallawala, founder of Bipolar India. The event took place at the Lady Premlila Thackersey Committee Hall from 2 PM onwards with an attendance involving students, invited dignitaries, individuals with lived experiences, caregivers along with MA Psychology Department faculty members – Ms. Chaitri Dave, Ms. Durgesh Badsewal, Ms. Tasmiya Kazi, Ms. Takreem Malick, and Ms. Akshata Joshi.

The event began with a warm welcome speech by Mr. Vijay Nallawala as he thanked the department of psychology and acknowledged the very important initiative of mental health advocacy. He introduced Bipolar India’s outreach efforts, supported by NIMHANS, which have included similar events across major cities like Bangalore, Pune, and Delhi. Mr. Nallawala emphasized the importance of rehabilitation and societal reintegration for individuals with mental health challenges, highlighting the need for unity in the fight against stigma.

The discussion began by Dr. Nilesh Thakre where he shared his insights on key factors influencing students’ help-seeking behavior, particularly the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health. He reflected on his observations on the evolving landscape of mental health on campuses, citing increased academic stress and post-pandemic anxiety. He noted the rising awareness among students due to social media and online resources. As the conversation progressed, the panelists jointly delved into diverse aspects of recovery, sharing insights on therapy, community resilience, caregiving, and lived experiences.

One of the crucial insights was shared by therapist, Dr. Hvovi Bhagwagar who was asked about her thoughts regarding the role of environment and biological factors as well as the key attributes of clients that facilitate recovery. Dr. Bhagwakar acknowledged the role of the biomedical approach, highlighting that medication interventions are sometimes necessary, but also stressing the value of understanding a client’s childhood history and incorporating it into the Mental Status Examination (MSE) to shape an effective treatment plan. She spoke about how people shy away from therapy because of stigma and how clients’ help-seeking decision is a huge component in the recovery journey in itself. She also explained that recovery is deeply tied to emotional well-being, which is shaped by factors such as awareness, organizational culture, and the support of one’s social circle.

Furthermore, as the conversations grew focused, the audience explored the journey of Ms. Joyce Thayil, a lived experience expert diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Ms. Thayil shared her transformation from the initial years marked from a state of agony and turmoil to the calm and composure she exhibits today. She reflected on her initial years to a painful struggle and brought out the need for structured support, therapy, and peer networks in recovery. She also emphasized the importance of professional diagnosis, peer support, and healthy lifestyle changes as pillars of recovery.

During the discussion, Mrs. Saraswati Suresh was asked about her experience coming to terms with her son’s diagnosis as a caregiver. Over a decade of caregiving, she expressed her transformation from feelings of frustration and alienation to acceptance and gratitude, emphasizing the importance of an enabling environment, family therapy, and self-care through yoga and reconnecting with nature as crucial.

Upon gaining more insight over the importance of crucial external factors responsible for patient recovery, Dr. Milan Balakrishnan was asked to shed light on how he sees community resilience playing a role in sustainable recovery. He underlined the importance of collective actions that help to reduce stigma and fight for rights, like insurance for mental illness. He stressed the importance of the biopsychosocial model, which put much emphasis on lifestyle changes toward a holistic approach to well-being.

As the session progressed, the panel also addressed the importance of mental health literacy in educational systems through a question where Dr. Nilesh Thakre emphasized the importance of workshops targeting school authorities, peer support programs in colleges, and systematic screening to direct students to counseling centers while Ms. Joyce Thayil emphasized the necessity of accommodating workplaces to enable routine, financial independence, and self-worth for individuals with mental health challenges.

The event concluded with a Q&A session where the audience explored self-care strategies for therapists and early intervention methods. The session wrapped up with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Mr. Vijay Nallawala, expressing appreciation to the panelists for the diverse perspectives shared. Tokens of appreciation were presented to all the speakers, marking a successful conclusion of an enlightening discussion on mental health and recovery. Refreshments were served allowing the audience to interact with the panelists. An overwhelmingly positive feedback was obtained from the attendees for the impactful session.