From the 7th to the 11th of October, the institute was a hotspot for engaging conversations and activities on mental health, with several initiatives spearheaded by the Student Wellness Centre, the administration and other student bodies around the campus. From sound baths to animal-assisted therapy, to fireside chats by visionaries in the field, the week was full of memorable stories and soothing experiences.

Mind Matters for Well-Being

On 10th October, celebrated as World Mental Health Day, IIT Bombay hosted a session titled ‘Mind Matters for Well-Being’, as part of the wide array of initiatives during Mental Health Week. 

The speakers for the session were Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, the Surgeon General of the United States, and Ms. Ira Khan, CEO of Agatsu Foundation, a not-for-profit company working in mental health and wellbeing. Following a welcome address by the Dean ACR, Prof. Ravindra D Gudi, the Director, Prof. Shireesh Kedare, spoke to the audience. He emphasised that to make IITB a happy campus, students must have the right state of mind that will help them achieve excellence. Realising the importance of balance in life and the goal of ‘realistic excellence’, he advocated for academic rigour to go hand-in-hand with compassion and care for students and faculty alike.

The fireside chat began with Dr. Murthy sharing his struggles with his own mental health and also how his views evolved during his long experience in the medical field. Following this, Ms. Khan too went into detail about her struggles with her mental state. She remarked that despite how strong one is, such things can hit anyone, just like the flu, while admitting that she herself delayed reaching out to people for help.

Dr. Murthy agreed that these moments come in everyone’s life and said that there should be no shame in needing someone to lean on. They both shared their concerns about the loneliness epidemic, which cannot be solved by simply having company –  as many people often lack authentic connections with others around them. Dr. Murthy especially remarked that with the advent of social media, people have become more withdrawn in public spaces, which is hampering ‘real’ interactions and aggravating the issue further. 

Amidst this, Ms. Khan drew attention to the work that the Agatsu Foundation is dabbling in, whose underlying principles of a non-judgmental and empathetic approach to mental health drew inspiration from her own battles. She explained how Agatsu, having started small, has created a safe space for people of varying backgrounds to interact with each other. 

They also answered questions from the audience posed on their behalf by the Dean ACR, which were about academic pressure and the stigma associated with mental health. Dr. Murthy suggested that people openly share their stories with those around them to tackle the stigma and also stated that although technology can be used to foster connections, it cannot completely replace the essence of face-to-face interactions. He urged people to redefine what fulfilment meant for them, diverging from the conventional money-minded approach and more towards relationships and service to others. Ms. Khan felt that the best way to deal with academic pressure was to practice emotional hygiene, which entails allowing oneself to honestly acknowledge the thoughts and emotions that one feels and actively finding the positives around oneself. She also advocated for a professional culture where all employees, especially bosses, took work-life balance seriously.

Towards the end, Dr. Murthy and Ms. Khan tasked the audience with the ‘#5for5’ challenge, asking them to do one thing to connect with people for the next 5 days and at the end see how they feel. They also urged people not to look at their phones whenever they are in an elevator with other people. A hearty initiative was proposed to conclude the session – the auditorium’s lights were dimmed, and the audience turned on the flashlights of their phones after they thanked a close someone who helped them in their tough times.

Mental Health Week Activities

As part of its Mental Health Week initiatives, the Student Wellness Center (SWC) organized a five-day series of events in the New SAC building from 7 to 11 October, featuring art therapy and animal-assisted therapy (AAT), yoga, sound baths, dance movement therapy, and a drum circle sessions. These programs were overseen by counseling professionals to support students’ mental health and well-being.

The Mental Health Week program began on 7th October with a yoga session led by a professional instructor. The session focused on mindfulness and flexibility, with participants guided through various postures and breathing exercises.

On 8th October, the SWC held two sound bath sessions, each accommodating 25 participants. Attendees lay on yoga mats while a facilitator played instruments tuned to specific frequencies, creating a calming atmosphere aimed at helping participants relax and unwind.

The art therapy sessions offered participants a creative outlet to reduce stress and promote mindfulness. Participants could choose from mandala art, journalling, or doodling. Each day, attendees could express themselves through drawing and painting while the professionals fostered therapeutic conversations, offering gentle guidance and emotional support throughout the sessions. They also took time to analyze the finished drawings, providing insights and gentle feedback to help participants explore their emotions and experiences more deeply.

The Animal Assisted Therapy sessions featured two professional therapy dogs accompanied by their caretakers. The dogs provided comfort and emotional support, helping students alleviate anxiety and experience moments of calm during busy academic schedules. A student remarked, “The therapy dogs were so friendly and welcoming – it was a fun and calming experience overall.”

On 9th October, a dance movement therapy session was organized, encouraging participants to express themselves through movement. The session aimed to provide a space for physical expression and emotional release. The week concluded on 10th October with a drum circle.

This initiative by SWC proved to be both impactful and enjoyable for participants, offering a variety of ways to engage in self-care and mindfulness. One student who participated in art therapy shared, “It was very helpful to take a break from the stress of academics and worrying about internship and do something that helped me calm down.” The Student Wellness Center’s thoughtful approach was well-received by participants, with many attendees appreciating the opportunity to prioritize their mental health in a supportive space.

Strong Minds – A Path to Mental Wellness

On 10th October, Abhyuday IIT Bombay organised ‘Strong Minds – A Path to Mental Wellness’. This event was conducted in collaboration with UNICEF India, one of the most renowned organisations working for social welfare. The panel of speakers for the event included Ms. Nahid Afrin, a UNICEF India Youth Advocate who is also a famous Indian Playback Singer and performer. Following them were Dr. Ruksheda Syeda, the president of the Bombay Psychiatric Society, and Dr. Swati Mohapatra, a communication specialist at UNICEF Maharashtra. The event involved a meaningful discussion about students’ mental state, the challenges they face managing their mental health, and ways in which to handle them.

Mental support Through hobbies

Student Support Services conducted a ‘Mental support Through hobbies’ series with a workshop on Origami on 20th October to engage students in light and fun activities. During the session, the speaker shared his personal experience of how origami helped him during his JEE preparation, and participants learned to make origami butterflies and cranes. Future sessions will feature more of these engaging activities.

Although mental health problems are complex and pervasive issues to be tackled on an institute-wide level, generating awareness and reducing stigma through such events could help one be more comfortable to reach out for help.

Let’s pause and reflect upon our mental well-being and those around us as small acts of kindness go a long way. IIT Bombay offers support for mental health through the Student Wellness Center (SWC), which can be contacted at wellness@iitb.ac.in or at https://www.iitb.ac.in/swc/en/appointment.