Mannotsava, the National Mental Health Festival of 2024, began on October 26 in Bengaluru, organized by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies (RNP) in partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS). The festival, spanning October 26 and 27, aims to elevate mental health dialogue and awareness, bringing together a diverse group of mental health professionals, artists, and community advocates. The festival’s goal is to bridge gaps in mental health knowledge, challenge stigma, and empower Indian society toward proactive mental well-being.

The festival was inaugurated by prominent figures including Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies; Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS; and Professor L.S. Shashidhara, Centre Director at NCBS. Mannotsava 2024 seeks to create a welcoming space where professionals and the public alike can access evidence-based mental health information, support networks, and tools.

Festival Highlights: Events and Expert Insights

Featuring over 40 curated sessions, 105 speakers, and more than 20 interactive stalls and installations, Mannotsava offers an extensive program covering essential topics like youth mental health, addiction, chronic illness, parenting, and healthy aging. Designed to encourage accessible and inclusive participation, the festival provides a dynamic space for discussions and workshops aimed at reducing stigma, sharing mental health resources, and fostering a society where mental health conversations are normalized and celebrated.

Ms. Rohini Nilekani emphasized the festival’s importance, particularly after the pandemic exposed widespread mental health challenges and the urgent need for open conversations. "Following the pandemic, mental health has emerged as a topic that needs a lot more discussion," Nilekani said. "But we don’t have many public platforms that bring together experts, civil society, researchers, and artists to dialogue on the state of our individual and collective well-being. Mannotsava endeavours to be such a platform."

Dr. Pratima Murthy underscored Mannotsava’s role in making mental health information more accessible to the public. "Mannotsava aspires to be a bridge between science and society, between mental wellness and illness," said Dr. Murthy. "It creates a space for the sharing of credible information related to mental health."

Harnessing Science and Society for Mental Wellness

The two-day event promises to engage over 2,000 attendees, including students, healthcare providers, counselors, and development professionals, with experts from across the fields of neuroscience, mental health, and the arts. The festival is designed to promote sustained mental health advocacy and provide practical solutions to meet the country’s growing mental health needs.

Prof. Raghu Padinjat of NCBS spoke about the importance of integrating new technologies to better understand mental health challenges. "We are poised at a unique moment in time where the emergence of powerful new technologies can drive discovery in the area of altered brain function in mental illness," said Prof. Padinjat. "Such discoveries can enable us to develop better solutions for handling the challenges posed by mental illness and be an enabler of mental well-being."

As the festival progresses, Mannotsava 2024 hopes to become a long-term catalyst for mental health awareness, fostering a supportive environment for mental well-being in India and beyond.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)