On Wednesday Sehar Hashmi, a motivational speaker who has personally battled mental illness, arrived at the Roshanilaya centre in Mangalore after launching a cross‑country bike journey that began in Delhi on August 20. The purpose of the ride is to dismantle stigma surrounding mental health by holding workshops in schools and colleges across the nation.
During a session with students, Hashmi recounted her fifteen‑year struggle with borderline personality disorder, severe depression and recurrent suicidal thoughts. She explained how sustained medication and therapy helped her achieve full recovery, positioning herself as a living example that effective treatment can restore lives.
Prof. Meena Muntaro, head of the postgraduate social‑work department at Roshanilaya, and social worker Vidyadinkar attended the event, facilitating a dialogue between the speaker and the young audience. Participants received official helpline numbers and guidance on accessing emergency counseling services.
Hashmi outlined an ambitious itinerary: a total of 105 workshops are planned in 55 major cities, spanning Kerala, Tamil Nadu and multiple districts of Karnataka before the bike returns to Delhi on October 15. The eight‑day stretch through Kerala will be followed by stops in Tamil Nadu and further Karnataka locations, ensuring that the message reaches diverse communities.
Accompanying her on a second motorcycle is Sunny Lochaw, while the remaining support crew travels by car to provide logistical assistance. The campaign, named “Marivala Health Initiative,” enjoys primary sponsorship from the Marivala Health Initiative and co‑sponsorship by the Population Foundation of India.
Hashmi emphasized that her journey aims to instill hope in young people, listen to their pain and connect them with qualified professionals. By confronting misconceptions head‑on, she hopes to create a ripple effect that normalises conversations about mental well‑being throughout coastal Karnataka and beyond.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK