On an October evening in Chennai, families, students, and Lions in yellow vests gathered for an event designed to spark open, everyday conversations about mental well-being. What unfolded was less like a formal program and more like a community exploring an important subject together—curious, attentive, and willing to engage. All the clubs of District 3241C came together, under the leadership of District Governor S. Bose PMJF, to shape the Lions Mental Health and Well-being Week in a way that would spark conversations lasting long after the activities ended.
The highlight of the evening was a thought-provoking puppet show. Organized by Skyline Lions Club in partnership with the Madras School of Social Work, the performance addressed important social issues like mental health, childhood cancer, hunger, and caring for the environment. The language was simple yet effective, and the conversations between the puppets held the children’s attention from start to finish. What could have been difficult topics for young minds became easier to understand through humour, storytelling, and gentle dialogue.
Mental health was also explained through models, exhibits, and visuals that used everyday terms to help people understand how stress builds up, why support matters, and what simple habits can make a difference. Visitors moved from one display to another at an unhurried pace, reading, asking questions, and taking home ideas they could use themselves.
A mental-health helpline was also inaugurated at the event, signalling a commitment to sustained support. With a qualified psychiatrist available to guide callers, the helpline became a meaningful extension of the evening’s message: help should be easy to reach and without hesitation.
What made the gathering truly stand out was the collective spirit behind it. Nearly 800 Lions actively participated in the event. For many, the evening served as a reminder of what community support can look like—ordinary people creating space for conversations that matter, simply by showing up.