Understanding and Promoting Mental Health Care

Realizing the severity of increasing mental health concerns among the youth, Health Promotion Trust organized a workshop on 'Understanding and Promoting Mental health Care' for the youth of Dharavi Island on 29th September 2024 and on 09th November 2024 at Raigad district. The session was conducted by Sachin Chitambaram the founder of Connect Hut an organization that focuses on training people of all age groups on issues related to mental well-being. Over 100 youth who participated acknowledged the relevance of the program in keeping with the current scenario and expressed their willingness to act as support peer in their respective communities'

Source :  the Examiner Nov 30 2024

106 youth from 15 Church-affiliated Mission Centres in Raigad district attended a mental health education programme at Nagothane Pilar Centre on November 9, 2024. The session, organised by the Health Promotion Trust in collaboration with Raigad Janhit Manch (RJM), was led by Mr Sachin Chitambaram. He is the founder of Connect Hut, a social enterprise dedicated to conducting mental health and suicide prevention programmes for all age groups.

Mr Chitambaram addressed the increased incidence of mental health challenges among youth, many of which are rooted in childhood trauma and daily life stresses. He emphasised the critical role of the family and community in suicide prevention, and spoke about the power of forming strong support networks. He urged the youth to be proactive in identifying at-risk peers and helping them access appropriate prevention services.

The participants were asked to complete a wellness survey to help them assess their behavioural patterns. Based on the responses, Mr Sachin guided them to create individual wellness plans highlighting the following: warning signs linked to an impending mental breakdown, strategies to mitigate stress and anxiety, and creation of a list of trusted, supportive individuals in case of crises.

Mrs Meghna Dhumene from Mugaon village, Khopoli, Raigad thanked RJM and HPT for organising this mental wellbeing session. She spoke about its relevance in the context of the pervasive use of social media, leading to youth being disconnected from their social circles. She also pointed to the crucial link between mental and physical health. Mrs Dhumene urged the youth to be part of a nurturing support system for their peers.

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