{"id":42597,"date":"2025-12-04T08:11:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T08:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design7.nuvodev.com\/client\/lions\/?p=42597"},"modified":"2025-12-08T06:38:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T06:38:35","slug":"breaking-the-silence-how-lions-are-shaping-the-mental-health-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design7.nuvodev.com\/client\/lions\/breaking-the-silence-how-lions-are-shaping-the-mental-health-conversation\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking the Silence: How Lions are shaping the Mental Health Conversation"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Mental health is no longer a quiet concern sitting at the edges of public conversation. It is one of the most pressing challenges of our time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Young people report rising anxiety and poor sleep; families struggle to recognize early signs; many adults carry stress and loneliness silently; and older persons often face emotional and cognitive decline with little structured support. Yet stigma and hesitation continue to keep help out of reach for many.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Around the world, nearly a billion people live with a mental health condition, and in India, a life is lost every seven minutes to a mental health crisis. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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This is the gap the Mental Health and Well-being Service Week<\/strong> set out to address. With its theme of \u201cBreaking the Stigma, Building Support,\u201d Lions across India created spaces where listening came first and judgment had no place. Schools, colleges, workplaces, community halls, police stations, and senior citizen homes became environments where people could learn, share, and seek guidance openly.<\/p>

From October 4 to 12, 2025, Lions Clubs across the country\u2014guided by the national action plan\u2014combined awareness, professional guidance, community partnerships, and continued follow-up to replace silence with understanding and isolation with support.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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As the Weeks of Service Coordinator for India, I had the privilege to lead the Lions Mental Health and Well-being Service Week from October 4\u201312, 2025. Our vision was to build a strong movement for Mental Health and Well-being and create awareness. We were committed to inspire every Lion to take part in creating a positive mental health environment within their communities; and to promote sustainable practices that enhance mental resilience across all age groups.<\/p>

Together with my dedicated team, we worked to transform these goals into a vibrant movement that empowered every Lion to champion mental wellness within their local context.<\/p>

With collective effort, compassion, and coordination, we made the Lions Mental Health and Well-being Service Week 2025 a historic movement. Participation by clubs and districts was extremely encouraging. Together, as one Lions family, we raised awareness, promoted emotional wellness, and fostered a mentally healthier and happier India.<\/p>

PID Narendra Bhandari<\/strong>
National Coordinator, Global Weeks of Service (LCOI)<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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In District 316G<\/strong>, Mental Health and Well-being Service Week became a period of listening, learning, and reaching out. Seventy-nine clubs worked together to engage more than 50,000 people. The week began with a rally and inaugural ceremony at the Palakol Lions Club, attended by International Directors Ladan Bushell and Subhash Babu, along with MCC Sriram Suresh, District Governor Paparao Naidu, and district leaders. <\/p>

Their presence set the tone for a thoughtful week of awareness and support. Sessions on anxiety, emotional well-being, yoga, and senior care reached diverse age groups, strengthened by a contribution of \u20b950,000 from the Sunshine Leo Club. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stress touches every life at some point, in one form or another. Recognizing this, District 317C designed their Mental Health and Well-being Week to ensure that no person, age group, or community was overlooked. The week opened with counselling for individuals navigating mental illness and their caretakers\u2014providing a safe space that combined therapeutic guidance, entertainment, and yoga. The focus then shifted to systemic support, with healthcare professionals and community leaders providing details on government mental disability benefits available to families.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The outreach spanned multiple demographics. Corporate employees attended a psychiatrist-led session on stress, healthy habits, and work\u2013life balance. Women\u2019s groups discussed postpartum depression, domestic violence resources, and the strain of balancing home and work. Senior citizens explored dementia, loneliness, and emotional care, ending their session on a joyful note with karaoke. High school students participated in an essay competition on mental well-being.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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World Mental Health Day featured a keynote by Dr. Prabhat Kalkura on \u201cAccess to Services\u2014Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,\u201d followed by a spirited 7 km walkathon with 350 participants, including Lions, IMA Udupi Karavali doctors, nursing college students, Scouts and Guides.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The week concluded with long-term commitments. A monthly Mental Wellness Camp was inaugurated for children of migrant workers in Sarlebettu, where Dr. Virupaksha Devaramane addressed the first group of 30 children on personal space, body awareness, and family challenges related to alcohol and tobacco. Project Samvada\u2014a collaboration between the Manipal Lions Club, Mathri Arha Foundation, and AV Baliga Memorial Hospital\u2014was also launched to provide monthly counselling for children experiencing learning disabilities, behavioural concerns, social interaction issues and challenges with self-esteem, and confidence.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Under the leadership of District Governor Jain C. Job, District 318A brought mental health conversations to places often overlooked\u2014prisons, government offices, old age homes, schools, and the wards of mental health facilities. Lions across the district spoke about stress, suicide prevention, and substance abuse.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Two walkathons anchored the week. The first was inaugurated by Shri G. R. Anil, Hon. Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Govt. of Kerala, and the second by the District Collector of Trivandrum, who walked the full route alongside Lions, students, and neighbours.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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One initiative captured the spirit of the week: a city tour for patients from the Government Mental Hospital in Trivandrum. For an afternoon, the city became theirs to enjoy\u2014a small gesture that offered dignity and connection.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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District 318B took mental health awareness to the streets of Kozhencherry. Around 150 nursing students from Muthoot Hospital, Poyyanil Hospital, and the Government Nursing College in Elanthur joined hospital staff, local panchayat leaders, and Lions in a procession through town\u2014a visible reminder that mental health matters. The real showstopper came at the bus stand, where nursing students staged a flash mob\u2014dancing, miming, and performing short skits that stopped commuters in their tracks. The message, delivered through movement rather than words, was clear: mental health deserves our attention.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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A seminar followed, led by Dr. T. Sagar, Chief Psychiatrist of the District Hospital, alongside the DMO, Panchayat President, District Governor Winny Philip, MD Coordinator PDG James K. Philip, and Second Vice District Governor Martin Joseph. The collaboration between the Lions and the District Hospital Kozhencherry demonstrated how effectively institutions can work together for community well-being.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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A seminar followed, led by Dr. T. Sagar, Chief Psychiatrist of the District Hospital, alongside the DMO, Panchayat President, District Governor Winny Philip, MD Coordinator PDG James K. Philip, and Second Vice District Governor Martin Joseph. The collaboration between the Lions and the District Hospital Kozhencherry demonstrated how effectively institutions can work together for community well-being.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Pazhanganad Lions Club, District 318C<\/strong>, organized a yoga session on October 5, 2025 at the Padmasree Sreejesh Academy Turf. International Director Dr. Mark Mansell inaugurated the event, emphasizing the growing need for collective attention toward mental wellness. Shri Rajgopal Krishnan, International Faculty of The Art of Living, led participants through breathing techniques and gentle postures that embodied the day’s theme\u2014breathe deeply, bend gracefully, bloom fully.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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District Governor K. B. Shinekumar praised the event as “a perfect blend of service, awareness, and self-care,” setting a thoughtful tone for the week ahead and reminding Lions that wellness begins within.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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District 318D1<\/strong> centred its Mental Health Week on two groups with unique emotional demands: students and police personnel. At Narayanan Nair Memorial Higher Secondary School, four sessions on emotional well-being and stress management were conducted by Lion George Joseph and Dr. Rabecca, reaching 842 students. A dedicated session for girls explored the link between mental and physical health and received excellent feedback from teachers.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The district then reached officers in the Tanur Police Region with an exclusive program attended by over 300 personnel. Led by Mr. Vinod, SHO of Parappanangadi Police Station, and inaugurated by Additional Superintendent of Police Mr. Krishnadas, the session addressed the pressures of policing. Psychologist and educator Dr. Balakrishnan Nambiar guided officers through resilience, stress, and emotional balance in high-pressure environments.<\/p>

All programs were coordinated by Dr. Rajith, District Coordinator for Mental Health and Well-being.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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District 318E<\/strong> set the tone for Mental Health Week with a spirited walkathon, inaugurated by District Governor Ravi Guptha PMJF and flagged off by MLA Shri Thottathil Raveendran. Members from twenty Lions Clubs walked alongside students of Zamorin\u2019s College and the MHAT team, bringing 230 people together.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The week unfolded with thoughtful acts of care: a television for the female psychiatry ward, psychiatric medicines and blankets for a tribal camp, stress-management sessions for schoolchildren, entertainment for senior citizens, wellness classes for corporate staff and residents\u2019 groups, and counselling for parents of children with disabilities. The district also honoured a senior psychiatry faculty member for dedicated service.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Across India, Mental Health and Well-being Week did more than raise awareness\u2014it opened doors. It broke the silence and encouraged conversations that had long stayed unspoken. It connected people to support, and it reminded communities that emotional care is a shared responsibility. The week may have ended, but the work of listening, understanding, and standing by one another continues.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What Lions Addressed \nDuring the Mental Health and Well-being Week\n<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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MD 321\n\n<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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On World Mental Health Day 2025, District 321B1 partnered with the University of Lucknow\u2019s Department of Psychology and KGMU\u2019s Department of Psychiatry to host a symposium on \u2018Mental Health and Well-Being.\u2019 Students, mental health professionals, and community leaders gathered to confront an uncomfortable truth: mental health struggles are widespread, but stigma still keeps many silent.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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District Governor Dr. R. C. Mishra opened the session alongside Guest of Honour MLA and PMCC Dr. Neeraj Bora who noted how cultural shifts and isolation have intensified distress. In his address, Dr. Bora highlighted excessive mobile phone use as a modern trigger and suggested practical remedies such as technology-free family hours and integrated care combining medicine, yoga, and counselling. A video message from International President A. P. Singh reinforced the call for compassion backed by collective action.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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A highlight of the symposium was the launch of Vitaria, a student-led initiative under Prof. Archana Shukla, envisioned as a safe creative space for emotional expression through art and conversation. The district released a Mental Health Awareness Booklet authored by Lion Dr. Nehal Raza. A panel of seven experts explored parenting pressures, postpartum depression, early intervention, and legal and psychological dimensions of mental health.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Beyond the symposium, Lions Clubs of Lucknow Oudh and Lucknow Shane-e-Avadh Diamond conducted sessions at Karamat P.G. College, and SR Institute of Management & Technology, respectively. The Organizing Committee, led by Dr. Nehal Raza, ensured the conversation continued across campuses and communities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The 66-year-old Amritsar Lions Club, District 321D<\/strong>, invited a leading clinical psychiatrist to speak with students and teachers at DAV Public School\u2014the largest school in the historic city. But the deeper insight came from a workshop the school runs called \u2018I Am an Innovator,\u2019 where adolescent energy is channeled during formative years. The workshop keeps hands and minds busy\u2014building, designing, problem-solving. “Students face challenges of multiple types\u2014keeping up with studies and competition, peer pressure, in addition to the physical changes taking place during adolescence,” Principal Dr. Pallavi Sethi explained. “Such activities help release pressure by keeping them constructively engaged.”<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Together, the workshop and the mental health session offered students two pathways: understanding their mental health, and actively protecting it through meaningful work.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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A conversation saved a life in Ludhiana.\n<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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During a three-day mental health workshop organized by She Shakti Lions Club, District 321F, at Sacred Heart School, a student struggling with suicidal thoughts due to severe family trauma finally spoke up. She confided in a classmate, who led her to a teacher. The teacher listened, then took both girls to the Principal. A burden she had carried alone was no longer hers to face in isolation.<\/p>

The workshop created the conditions for that moment. It equipped students to manage stress, recognize warning signs, support one another, and\u2014most importantly\u2014ask for help. The Principal thanked the Lions for creating a space where reaching out felt possible. One student found her voice at the right time. Others left with tools they may draw on tomorrow, next month, or years from now. The week mattered.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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