Lions International District 317 B has planned with the World Wide Week of Service with Mental Health and Well Being under United Nations Sustainable Goals Goal number 3 across Goa and North Karnataka from 04th October to 12th October with Inaugural at MES College with Collaboration of IPHB keeping with Four Categories as with Awareness and Well Being at Schools and Colleges, Women, Senior Citizens and Work Place with the Theme “Breaking the Silence, Building Support”. Mental health is an essential component of overall well-being, yet it remains an often overlooked aspect of health in India. From childhood to old age, across genders and workplaces, the need for awareness, early intervention, and supportive environments is urgent. Mental health challenges affect individuals, families, communities, and the nation as a whole. As we observe Mental Health Week, it is crucial to highlight the importance of promoting mental well-being across all stages of life and social contexts. Worldwide prevalence: An estimated 970 million people globally live with a mental disorder. Depression ranks among the top three leading causes of disease, projected to become the number one by 2030. Over 700,000 people die by suicide annually, with around 14 million suicide attempts each year.
Mental Health Awareness and Well-being in Schools and Colleges: Mental health awareness in schools and colleges is no longer optional; it is an urgent necessity. Nearly one in seven children and adolescents in India is estimated to experience mental health concerns, yet stigma, lack of awareness, and limited resources mean many struggle silently with anxiety, depression, bullying, learning difficulties, or academic stress. These struggles often remain unrecognized until they manifest as poor performance, absenteeism, or self-harm.
Promoting mental health and well-being in schools can create a foundation for healthier futures. Age-appropriate awareness programs help students understand emotions, normalize help-seeking, and reduce stigma. Teachers trained to identify early signs of distress play a pivotal role in offering timely support and referrals. Practices such as mindfulness sessions, peer support groups, and safe spaces for expression foster resilience and emotional growth. Involving parents and communities ensures that conversations about mental health extend beyond the classroom. By embedding well-being initiatives into education, schools can nurture not only academic excellence but also empathy, emotional intelligence, and balanced development.
Mental Health Awareness and Well-being Among Senior Citizens: As India’s population ages, mental health among senior citizens is emerging as a critical yet often overlooked concern. Loneliness, bereavement, declining physical health, financial insecurity, and loss of social roles increase vulnerability to depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and substance use. Despite these challenges, mental health in later life is often dismissed as a “normal” part of aging.
Raising awareness and providing support for senior citizens is essential to ensuring dignity and quality of life. Community-level programs can reduce stigma, provide coping strategies, and encourage timely interventions. Families, caregivers, and healthcare workers need to recognize early signs of distress, such as withdrawal or irritability, and respond with empathy. Initiatives such as social support groups, active lifestyle promotion, counseling services, and intergenerational engagement can significantly improve well-being. Technology, including helplines and tele-counseling, can bridge barriers of mobility and distance. Prioritizing mental well-being in older adults fosters compassionate, inclusive communities and recognizes the invaluable experience and resilience of seniors.
Mental Health Awareness and Well-being for Women: Women’s mental health is a vital yet often neglected aspect of public health in India. From adolescence to old age, women face unique challenges including gender-based discrimination, caregiving responsibilities, workplace inequalities, and exposure to violence. These factors increase susceptibility to depression, anxiety, postnatal depression, and trauma-related disorders. Unfortunately, many women suffer in silence due to stigma, lack of awareness, or limited access to mental health services.
Education about mental health must reach women, families, workplaces, and communities to ensure early recognition of struggles and normalization of help-seeking. Integrating mental health services into maternal and reproductive healthcare, offering counseling during major life transitions, and providing safe spaces for expression can improve outcomes. Empowering women through support groups, vocational opportunities, and community networks fosters resilience and self-worth. Policy-level interventions such as gender-sensitive health programs, workplace mental health initiatives, and protections against domestic violence are equally important. When women are mentally healthy, families, communities, and society as a whole benefit, building a stronger, more compassionate future.
Mental Health Awareness and Well-being at Workplace : Workplaces profoundly influence mental health, yet long hours, high competition, job insecurity, and blurred work-life boundaries create chronic stress, burnout, and other mental health challenges. Stigma prevents many employees from seeking support, leading to absenteeism, reduced efficiency, strained relationships, and even long-term disability.
Creating mental health-aware workplaces ensures employees feel safe discussing struggles without fear of judgment. Initiatives such as stress management workshops, employee assistance programs, peer support groups, confidential counseling, flexible work arrangements, and healthy workload distribution promote both well-being and productivity. Training managers to recognize early signs of distress and respond empathetically is crucial. Addressing harassment, gender bias, and work-life imbalance creates inclusive workplace cultures. Companies investing in mental health initiatives improve employee satisfaction, retention, innovation, and teamwork.
Conclusion: Mental health is relevant at every stage of life and across social contexts. From schools to workplaces, from women to senior citizens, raising awareness, reducing stigma, and offering practical support is essential for individual and societal well-being. As we mark Mental Health Week, it is important to remember that promoting mental well-being is not merely a personal responsibility—it is a collective investment in a healthier, more resilient, and compassionate India.
Dr M. C D’Souza, MD, Psychiatry
Professor & Head
Department of psychiatry,
IPHB, GOA.
Core Objectives
Reduce mental health stigma in communities
Increase awareness of mental health resources
Provide direct support services
Build sustainable mental health support networks
Educate communities on early intervention
