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#DikhtaNahiHotaHai

A mental health awareness campaign

The spread of COVID-19 has significantly pronounced the need for addressing the mental health needs of all individuals. With the spread of the virus in different communities, loss of income and job opportunities, being locked in small home spaces, many times with difficult family situations, the living conditions of many young children and their caregivers have become grim with rising fear, anxiety and inability to manage complex emotions in such ambiguous times. 

For many, the stigma around mental health remains strong, while for others lack of awareness creates situations of disengagement.

For people in need of mental health support, i 
t has been a constant struggle to find adequate help, one of the primary reasons being “it’s not visible enough”.

When our legs are hurt, we provide first aid, people check in on us, and if needed, we are even taken to the hospital for care. So, why not when we are emotionally hurting?
​
The suicides we've come to know of in recent times in our country, many arguably triggered by the lack of mental well-being resources and support, have moved us to ask this question:  How much longer will we shy away from talking about an issue as  crucial as mental wellbeing? 


#DikhtaNahiHotaHai is a campaign to center the mental wellbeing conversations into our day-to-day realities.

It invites all of us to speak about those times when we have experienced distress, anxiety, discomfort, depression, and similar events. What did we do? How did we respond? What support was available? Did we tell anyone about it? If we did, how did people around us respond when we shared?
​

How will it work?

How will it work?

How does it work?

How can you participate?

The Mental Health Care Act came into force from 7 July 2018 in India. To bring our collective attention towards mental wellbeing, Apni Shala team ran a 3 week campaign, starting 7th July, 2020.
​

We shared flyers, videos, stories and other resources  with you on how    we can normalise mental wellbeing.

However, what we DID   is not the core of this campaign.   
What YOU, the community, do with it is what it is about!

Take the story forward. Make it your own. Tell your story. Or that of a dear one. Or just your views on why talking about our emotions is important. Invite your friends, colleagues, and family to share theirs.  It’s our collective voice that will normalise emotional wellbeing ! 
​

4 Focus Areas / Theme to choose from

SEL for Self
Each educator needs to have learning and growth opportunities.   They look within oneself and discovering areas of  psycho-social competencies in one self.
​
SEL in Classrooms
Educators will learn to integrate simple games and circle time activities into their classrooms.   Age-appropriateness and time availability will be taken into consideration.

Educator as a Facilitator
This programme creates a shift of mindset from educator to facilitator,  ​arising from an active reflection into one’s own practices as teachers.

SEL integration
Provide holistic SEL opportunities to all  children in the school based on  the CASEL  framework.
Picture

We're so inspired by all those who came forward to share! (click to see full posts)

Apni Shala joins Faye Dsouza to discuss Mental Health Challenges

How can you participate?

How can you participate?

1.  ​Write down an experience of being in a place where you experienced difficult emotions and may or may not know what to do about it. 
2.   ​Identify   the emotion/s you felt at the time:   Anger, Distress,   ​Loneliness, Sadness, Anxiety, Overwhelm, Worry, Restlessness, Depression
3.   ​Think of these  questions:
  • Where was I?   
  • Was there someone with me?   Who were they?   
  •  What was happening?    How was I feeling?

Have a story you'd like to share?
​Amplify your voice!

1. Share your Story with a Photo/Video/Audio/Text

Click a picture of yourself or record yourself on audio/video   or just use good old text....  and share with the following text on your social media:

Here’s my story of experiencing ________ (name the emotion). 

[Your story (if you use photo/text)] [It can be as long or short as you like!]

________ (name the emotion) dikhta nahi, hota hai. 

Let’s talk about mental health!
​

I am grateful to have [tag people who you go to when you need emotional support] in my circle of life for all the love and support. 
​

(optional) Donate here to create support for mental health initiatives:   https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-low-income-communities-1

#DikhtaNahiHotaHai @ApniShala

4 Focus Areas / Theme to choose from

SEL for Self
Each educator needs to have learning and growth opportunities.   They look within oneself and discovering areas of  psycho-social competencies in one self.
​
SEL in Classrooms
Educators will learn to integrate simple games and circle time activities into their classrooms.   Age-appropriateness and time availability will be taken into consideration.

Educator as a Facilitator
This programme creates a shift of mindset from educator to facilitator,  ​arising from an active reflection into one’s own practices as teachers.

SEL integration
Provide holistic SEL opportunities to all  children in the school based on  the CASEL  framework.

2. Through a creative media/artwork of your choice

Are you an artist, singer, dancer, talk-show host, radio person, creator? Create your artwork (a song, a painting, a talk-show, etc) that speaks about your emotions. Share your piece on your social media with the following text: 

Here’s my story of experiencing ________ (name the emotion). 

________ (name the emotion) dikhta nahi, hota hai. 

Let’s talk about mental health!
I am grateful to have [tag people who you go to when you need emotional support] in my circle of life for all the love and support. 

(optional) Donate here to create support for mental health initiatives: https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-low-income-communities-1

#DikhtaNahiHotaHai @ApniShala

​

4 Focus Areas / Theme to choose from

SEL for Self
Each educator needs to have learning and growth opportunities.   They look within oneself and discovering areas of  psycho-social competencies in one self.
​
SEL in Classrooms
Educators will learn to integrate simple games and circle time activities into their classrooms.   Age-appropriateness and time availability will be taken into consideration.

Educator as a Facilitator
This programme creates a shift of mindset from educator to facilitator,  ​arising from an active reflection into one’s own practices as teachers.

SEL integration
Provide holistic SEL opportunities to all  children in the school based on  the CASEL  framework.
Picture

Don't forget to share and invite

Share Apni Shala’s #DikhtaNahiHotaHai posts on your social media.  Add your own views to the post.
Invite and encourage other folks to give voice to their stories!

Looking for other ways to support the campaign?
Donate to the Mental Health Support Fund.
​

I want to donate to raise awareness about mental health

Looking for other ways to support the campaign?

Donate to the Mental Health Support Fund.
I want to donate to raising mental health awareness