Solving Today's Challenges Together-The Wellbeing Volunteers United

WELLBEING VOLUNTEERS UNITED

SOLVING TODAY’S CHALLENGES TOGETHER

MOBILIZERS • DOCTORS • HOSPITALS • VOLUNTEERS • ENABLERS

MARCH 24, 2020

Mental Wellbeing has been my passion since as long as I can remember. The company I started in my 20’s had the mission of a ‘Mind Over’ all things psychologically harmful. The Foundation I run only works on Mental Health Awareness and advocacy.

But this is not about me.

It is about a Community of well-wishers who are going beyond themselves to deliver back to society, peace and harmony, by sharing what they most value.

…Their time.

SOME FACTS: One in four Indians go through a mental health challenge at some point in their lifetime. According to the National Mental Health Survey 2015-16, at least 10 million 13 to 17-year olds in India have mental health problems and 9.8 million adolescents need active intervention to treat their illnesses. 47% of the elderly go through mental health challenges. Additionally, the middle-aged population are at great risk and are reported to seek out suicide as an option to fight issues related to mental health and stress. This is an epidemic and it needs to be curbed.

A report published by the World Economic Forum and Harvard School of Public Health predicts that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental illness will cost India $4.58 trillion between 2012 and 2030.

While the World Health Organization asserts that effective treatment procedures and interventions exist, many people dealing with a mental illness remain untreated largely due to the deep-rooted cultural stigma and the misinformation that exists about these illnesses. The negative connotation, shame and fear add to their already existing state of mind, making it difficult for them to cope and seek support.

There are many studies in the market indicating that ‘The Mental Health Status of Employees in Corporate India,’ has become extremely low. Given the current environmental challenges, I am sure this number has increased drastically.

●     It is said that 55 percent of corporate employees live with symptoms of depression, and they were going through it for over a year before seeking professional help.

●     Prolonged ongoing stress due to personal and work contexts was identified as triggers for mental illness.

●     Companies are adopting wellbeing programs, but often employees do not opt for it because they have a suspicion that their employers will be privy to their personal issues and may view them as weak and/or unable to deal with stress.

This is the need of the hour as it has been extremely crucial to get this group going. As you know the mental health EPIDEMIC has magnified in the recent times.

We are a Collective of Wellbeing Volunteers, United under one mission and that is to ‘solve today’s challenges together’ and that is what we intend to do.

We would love your organization to be part of our COLLECTIVE Mission. Our collective can support your employees, and your employees could support us, with voluntary time given to help others in times of need.

Please do fill out this form if you are registering your company:

https://forms.gle/d2Rn8cD1m9nZvr7F6

Please do fill out this form if you are registering yourself as a volunteer:

https://forms.gle/Si8Dn4eP6QfPEr2b7

I have a feeling that our India based pilot will be a pioneer for the rest of the world. It strives to be a beacon in these trying times where millions of people would surely be mentally disturbed trying to face uncertainties of the future.

Let India set the examples of collective peace and harmony in the spirit of the hoary Indic adage

-       vasudhaiva kutumbakam.

Sincerely,

Prakriti Poddar

Managing Trustee,

Poddar Foundation

9821625000