IAC at Mental Health Festival on World Mental Health Day, 2024

Close to 60-70 million people in India experience mental health challenges.

India has one of the highest suicide rates globally. According to a World Health Organisation report, the average suicide rate in India is 10.9 for every 1 lakh people.

In light of these concerning statistics, the Mental Health Foundation of India organized a special event at AIIMS, Delhi, this year. It took place on World Mental Health Day – 10th of October.

Mental Health Foundation of India is a non-profit organization that aims to promote mental health and provide support and resources to individuals who are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues.

IAC was invited to be a part of this wonderful event. 

Held on a beautiful sunny day, the weather gods seemed to be smiling upon us and the cause.

Who was present at the event?

Over 1,000 people attended the event. It brought together people from various spheres of life – individuals from pharmaceutical companies, tech startups, and mental health organizations. 

Surgeons, professors, mental health professionals, organizations, and thought leaders were all in attendance. It was a congregation united by a common cause—to address the growing need for mental health support, especially in the workplace.

What was the main focus of the event?

The theme of the event was “It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health at the Workplace.”

Influenced by the recent spate of work pressure related suicides in the country, this event was held to highlight the critical role of mental well-being in the work place, as well as to find solutions to this frightening new predicament.

There were various panel discussions held, addressed by eminent figures in their fields. 

“AI and Mental Health: Possibilities and Challenges” was one of the star panel discussions of the day. The panelists included Dr. Manushree, Professor at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital Delhi, Mr. Anuj Gupta, Founder of AI4Rx, Mr. Ayush Gupta, currently leading business operations at RentOk.com, and Mr. Pramod Kumar, an industry expert in AI and Machine Learning.

“Mental Health in Startups” was the second panel discussion of the day. The speakers were Mr. Kartik Manikonda, founder of the Mind and Company, a top mental health startup in Tamil Nadu, Ms. Meeta Mishra, Director of Mental Health Foundation, India, Mrs. Ashima Narula, a trained professional in expressive arts and media and Mrs. Deepika Dahima, founder of Yellow Turquoise, a platform that promotes mental well-being.

The final panel discussion was on “How Schools can Prepare a Resilient Workforce”. The speakers were Ms. Nidhi, Ms. Ridhima Bhatia, Ms. Gaur Batta and Ms. Pearl Goel. These speakers were students from various schools, bringing fresh perspectives to the discussion.

The Chief Guest was Mr. Deepak Chopra, a Clinical Professor at UC San Diego, who has been a leading voice in the fields of integrative medicine and personal transformation. 

Dr. Chopra delivered a deeply profound and impactful speech on the importance of integrating mindfulness, stress management, and wellness in the workplace environment.

IAC at Mental Health Festival, 2024

IAC was thrilled to have been a part of this poignant and meaningful event. Our team shared information on Samavesh, our world-class facility designed for neurodivergent individuals. We also spoke about our training academy and our expert team of medical/mental health professionals, students and professors.

Our team is the heart and soul of IAC and our mission. Our mission is to create a safe, barrier-free facility for neurodivergent individuals that meets world-class standards.
Following the event, we shared IAC magazines and keychains with attendees.

Conclusion

The theme for World Mental Health Day, 2024 was “Mental Health at Work”. It is an issue that has never been as important previously, as it is today. IAC’s vision is to create a world of equality, where individuals with mental health challenges and neuro disabilities can live fulfilling lives in harmony and peace. 

We are proud to have participated in this impactful event and look forward to continuing this tradition.

Remember to always be kind to yourself. And ask for help when you need it.