On October 17 and 18, the NIMHANS Convention Centre in Bengaluru hosted Mental Health Santhe 4.0, an event focused on suicide prevention, digital wellness, and community-based support. The gathering brought together hundreds of participants, including families, students, health professionals, and members of various NGOs.
The Santhe aligned with World Mental Health Day’s international campaign, which emphasized mental health during emergencies. The event featured interactive stalls, helplines, and workshops, including sessions on art therapy and a “Poetry Pharmacy.” These activities were designed to encourage creative engagement and mental wellbeing.
NIMHANS used the Santhe to launch Sahasra-Daya, a bereavement support program aimed at caregivers experiencing grief and loss. This program draws on NIMHANS research showing that structured support can significantly reduce depression and PTSD among caregivers in India.
A new Karnataka government partnership was announced during the event to promote responsible digital habits among children. This initiative builds on recent studies linking social media use to increased anxiety and sleep problems in teenagers.
The Santhe featured outreach from NGOs such as Aaladamara Foundation, which focused on mental health among the homeless and encouraged public participation in efforts to destigmatize mental illness.
MyndStories also participated in the Santhe for the first time, showcasing its mental wellness products such as affirmation cards, bookmarks, stickers, and posters. The Wall of Life with photos of those who died by suicide helped celebrate the lives of those who died by suicide.
India continues to have one of the highest suicide rates in the world, with the National Crime Records Bureau reporting over 164,000 deaths by suicide in 2021. Experts from NIMHANS highlighted that stigma and a lack of grassroots support remain major barriers to care. Mental Health Santhe 4.0 aimed to deliver scientific interventions and practical solutions to address these challenges.
