India’s First Youth only Mental Health Campaign Launched in Delhi

On the occasion of WHO World Health Day on 7th April, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) launched India’s first mental health awareness campaign and website dedicated to young people, It’s Ok To Talk, through a series of talks and a multimedia exhibition in partnership with Instagram.

The event took place only a few days after the Mental Healthcare Bill 2016 was passed in the LokSabha. The latest WHO estimates show that 7.5% of Indians suffer from major or minor mental disorders that require some kind of intervention.

The event brought together youth from across the NCR, mental health experts, advocates and survivors who highlighted the central role of disclosure and talking in the recovery of mental health problems and in breaking down stigma. Launching the campaign Prof. Vikram Patel, who works with the Public Health Foundation of India and Harvard University said, “We need to encourage and support people to talk openly about depression, to promote knowledge and skills in the community on self-care and to demand action by the government to improve access to clinical interventions for those who are severely affected. It’s Ok to Talk in this context, offers a space for young people to share their accounts of struggle and recovery. There is no doubt whatsoever that we must talk about depression more openly, but we must ensure that people experiencing depressive symptoms are always at the heart of the conversation.”

Also speaking at the event were Jo Agarwal & Ramakant Vempati (Co-founders, Touchkin), Reshma Valliappan (artist and mental health activist), Jhilmil Brekenridge (poet, author and mental health activist), Dhruv Visvanath (solo percussive acoustic guitarist), Natasha Noel (yogini, athlete and writer) and Pramada Menon (queer feminist activist).

One of highlights of the event was a unique exhibition curated with Instagram featuring stories of wellbeing from nine young Instagram users across India. The exhibition featured artwork by prominent mental health activist Reshma Valliappan, author and yoga enthusiast Natasha Noel, artist and founder of Fearless Collective, Shilo Shiv Suleman, photographer, Nayantara Parikh, VisfotakSamagri, Ankha Millo, Deb Roy, Khushnaz Lala, Gauri Arora, as well as by upcoming young artist Sonaksha Iyengar. The exhibition explores everyday struggles of mental health and barriers such as stigma and lack of acceptance. Attendees were encouraged to use the hashtag #ItsOkBaatKaro while posting videos and photos.

The website http://www.itsoktotalk.in/ which is now live, offers youth across India a safe space and community to share their experiences with mental health, mental illness and wellbeing through submitting entries in various media forms (blogs, videos, photos, music, social media posts, art, etc.).

For details, please contact Sweta Pal, sweta.pal@phfi.org/9818350483

About It’s Ok To Talk

www.ItsOkToTalk.in i is a safe space for young people to share their experiences with mental health, mental illness and wellbeing. We believe that talking about mental health is the first step to breaking the stigma. This campaign is a space to voice the difficult reactions, emotions and stories that accompany mental health — whether you are the one experiencing challenges, or are someone who sees it happening around you to family members or friends.

It’s Ok To Talk publishes real stories in a variety of media forms by young people facing mental health challenges. It is a community to share expressions, tell stories, connect with others and raise your voice for mental health.

It's Ok To Talk is an initiative by PRIDE, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medical Medicine (LSHTM), Harvard Medical School and Sangath and is supported by the Wellcome Trust, UK. PRIDE is a research program seeking to develop psychosocial interventions for adolescents with mental health problems in India.

About World Health Day

Globally celebrated every 7th April, to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation, World Health Day is a unique opportunity to mobilize action around a specific health topic of concern to people. For the first time the theme is “Depression- Let’s Talk”, inspiring people to talk about mental illness and seek help. Depression is the top cause of illness and disability among adolescents and suicide is the third cause of death. (Source) Suicide and self-harm are the leading causes of death among young people aged 15-24 in India. (Lancet 2016)