Chandigarh, 12 October: The Geetanjali Counselling Helpline of Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women, under the aegis of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), organised a workshop on ‘Mental Health Awareness and Tele-MANAS’ to mark World Mental Health Day 2026. The workshop was organised in keeping with this year’s theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”.

The resource persons for the workshop were Dr. Harrishupreet Kaur, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Tele-MANAS, and Mr. Abhishek Verma, Clinical Research Psychologist, Tele-MANAS, Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER, Chandigarh.
Drawing on their professional expertise, the resource persons addressed common misconceptions surrounding mental health, discussed the phenomenon of languishing among young people, and highlighted early signs of psychological distress and healthy coping strategies. They emphasised the importance of empathy, active listening, and sensitively guiding individuals experiencing mental health difficulties towards appropriate professional support. The experts also elaborated on Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States), an initiative of the Government of India under the National Tele Mental Health Programme. They highlighted its role in facilitating access to mental health information, counselling, and professional guidance through a 24×7 toll-free helpline, particularly for individuals who face barriers to accessing mental healthcare services. The informative and interactive workshop reinforced the importance of creating a supportive environment where individuals can speak openly about their mental health concerns without fear of judgement or stigma. It also underscored the need to foster empathy, inclusivity, and greater awareness of mental well-being.
Officiating Principal Ms. Neena Sharma emphasised the importance of cultivating a compassionate and sensitive approach towards mental health. She reaffirmed the need to promote mental well-being across educational institutions and communities, and encouraged the creation of environments where individuals feel heard, understood, and supported.