On July 16, 2026, the Dhruti Trust conducted an insightful workshop titled ‘Therapy is a Tool: Breaking Stigma, Building Strength’ at Vels Maritime University, Thazhambur, Chennai.

Facilitated by Ms. Amirthavarshini M, Counselling Psychologist, Dhruti Trust, the session brought together 90+ Final Year (IV Year) B.E. Marine Engineering students for an interactive, impactful journey into mental health awareness.

Key Highlights of the Workshop:

• De-stigmatizing Help-Seeking: Normalizing conversations around mental health, stress, and seeking professional guidance.

• Practical Coping Tools: Equipping students with actionable strategies to manage academic stress, isolation, and high-pressure work environments.

• Building Peer Resilience: Encouraging an open, supportive culture among classmates before they transition into their professional careers.

Sustaining the Momentum:

The impact of the session extends beyond the classroom. Following the workshop, students showed strong interest in staying connected with Dhruti’s wellness network through:

• Direct Access to Counselling: Booking private, one-on-one sessions with Dhruti counselors.

• Daily Wellness Support: Subscribing to quick mental wellness tips via WhatsApp for continuous micro-learning.

Conclusion:

The “Therapy is a Tool” workshop at Vels Maritime University underscored the importance of integrating mental health education into specialized technical domains. By breaking down stigmas and providing practical tools, the session helped prepare these future maritime professionals to lead balanced, resilient lives both on land and at sea.

A sincere thank you to Ms. Amirthavarshini M, the administration at Vels Maritime University, and the enthusiastic IV Year Marine Engineering cohort for making this initiative a success!

Interested in bringing Dhruti’s mental wellness workshops to your institution? Connect with us to learn more about our student engagement programs.