Delhi Sees Cycle Rally To Create Awareness On Mental Health
NDTV
World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10. To spread awareness on mental health, a 30 km cycle rally, called Cyclothon, was held in Delhi today.
World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10. This year, World Health Organization (WHO) is campaigning on the theme 'Make mental health for all a global priority'. To spread awareness on mental health, a 30 km cycle rally, called Cyclothon, was held in Delhi today. The event was organised by ADRA India, in partnership with V4A Cycling & Running Club. Around 30 participants from different walks of life rallied for the cause.
The Cyclothon was followed by an interactive session by Carl Wilkens, Humanitarian Aid Worker, Storyteller and International Speaker. Mr Wilkens shared his experiences while living in Rwanda during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. He talked about how Rwanda rebuilt and reinvented itself after the genocide "Rwanda's experience has really inspired me to examine how the brain works... Neural plasticity says that we can change our brain simply by the choices we make. Simple practices such as keeping a gratitude journal can move us in a direction of healing," he said.
A study on mental health burden in India conducted in 2017 revealed that one in seven Indians were affected by mental disorders of varying severity. Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems in India, the issue remains a taboo due to lack of awareness. People facing mental health problems also face societal discrimination, which leads to them not talking about their problems or seeking professional help.
