Dhurti Charitable Trust conducted two mental health workshop sessions titled, ‘Therapy is Tool – Breaking Stigma, Building Strength’ at the Nazareth College of Arts and Science. The first session was held on August 26, where 200+ girls from the Arts and Science college learnt how to enhance their mental health and create awareness on mental wellbeing and mindfulness.

Ms. Srisakthi V, Counselling Psychologist at Dhruti Trust, and Ms. Jaya Venkatesh, Program Coordinator at Dhruti Trust, conducted the technical sessions. The experts focused on how therapy supports personal growth, emotional resilience, stress management, and self-care practices while addressing stigma reduction strategies.

The workshop started with formal welcome address and introduction of the experts by the student coordinator. Ms. Jaya Venkatesh, briefed about the Dhruti’s cause and activates for the younger generations. She stressed the need for mental health for women, as women have borne the brunt of societal norms and pressures, often leading to mental health struggles. She thanked the Principal, Officers and the Management Team for giving the opportunity to awareness on mental health among the girl students.

Ms. Srisakthi V, highlighted the importance of breaking stereotypes surrounding therapy and creating a culture of openness towards mental health care. The interactive format encouraged students to share experiences and engage in meaningful discussions about peer support, self-awareness, and emotional wellbeing. Practical strategies for building inner strength and managing daily challenges were shared throughout the session.

The workshop was well received, with a majority of participants finding it very engaging or somewhat engaging. Students highlighted the usefulness of topics such as understanding mental wellness, coping strategies, and open sharing discussions.

The session concluded with a lively Q&A session and a formal vote of thanks for the invaluable contribution to shaping the emotional well-being of young students. Most participants reported feeling more confident in managing their mental well-being after the session, while some noted only partial improvement. Overall, the workshop received a strong recommendation rate, with many students expressing that they would suggest the program to their peers.

Session 2: 28 August, 2025

The day 2 of the workshop was exclusively arranged for around 300 boy students, as they are also in need of awareness on mental health and mindfulness. The session started with formal welcome address and introduction of the speaker by the student coordinator. Ms. Jaya Venkatesh, briefed about the Dhruti’s cause and activates for the younger generations.

Ms. Kirthana P, Psychologist & Certified Yoga Instructor, elaborated the evidence-based therapies with yoga-based mindfulness to foster resilience and holistic well-being for the boy students. She stressed the need for students on career guidance, suicide prevention, safety measures and self-regulation in athletes. With a holistic and culturally sensitive approach, Ms. Kirthana, also spoke on the equal contributions of psychology and yoga to empower individuals, promote emotional resilience, and mental health.

The second session also received positive feedback, with students largely describing the workshop as very engaging. Key takeaways included an improved understanding of mental health awareness and practical self-care strategies.

The workshop concluded with an active question-and-answer session, demonstrating high student engagement with the mental health topic and a formal vote of thanks for the invaluable support from the Institution. A majority of participants reported enhanced confidence in managing their mental well-being, though a small group indicated only moderate benefit. Most students expressed that they would recommend the workshop to others. Suggestions received included sessions for more dynamic, interactive and activity-based learning.

Consolidated Insights

Across both sessions, students demonstrated strong appreciation for the focus on mental wellness and coping strategies. The majority gained confidence and were willing to recommend the program, showing its effectiveness in addressing student needs. To further strengthen impact, participants suggested incorporating more interactive formats and activity-driven approaches.

This initiative represents broader commitment of Nazareth College’s concern to holistic student development, extending beyond academic excellence to encompass emotional and psychological wellbeing. The workshop addresses growing concerns about mental health challenges faced by students during their transition from school education to higher education.