MindForward India Conclave Launches Free Mental Health Program for 50,000+ Pune Students
Pune: Leading mental health experts from across India convened at the MindForward India Conclave in Pune on 29 October, unveiling a landmark initiative aimed at transforming student mental wellness across the city. The event marked the launch of Happy Studyspaces, a free, campus-based mental health program set to benefit over 50,000 college students in Pune.
Spearheaded by the Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation, part of the Apollo Hospitals Group, and supported by global energy company bp, the initiative integrates AI-powered wellness assessments, tiered care models, and peer-led support systems. Students will gain access to counselling helplines, WhatsApp-based support, and HappyU Clubs that promote mindfulness and emotional fitness.
“Happy Studyspaces is designed to make every campus a space of care, connection, and confidence,” said representatives from ATNF. The program includes campus orientations, resilience-building resources, and specialist referrals — all backed by follow-up mechanisms to ensure continuity of care.
bp’s involvement brings global expertise in mental health frameworks to Indian campuses, enabling large-scale, science-backed awareness campaigns. The partnership reflects a growing trend of corporate-social collaboration in youth welfare, setting a benchmark for inclusive and sustainable mental health ecosystems in education.
The conclave featured prominent voices in mental wellness, including:
- Dr. Sandeep Vohra, Tele-Mental Health Pioneer and Founder, NWNT
- Dr. Poornima Gauri, Director, NICHE Advocacy Foundation
- Dr. Girija Mahale, Senior Psychiatrist, Symbiosis Centre for Emotional Wellbeing
- Dr. Sadhana Natu, Professor and Head, Psychology, Modern College
- Anuveet Kaur, Founder, AapkiiTherapist
- Dr. Jyothi Menon, SVP – People Operations and Advisory, bp
Headlining the event was Dr. Kannan Gireesh, Psychiatrist and CEO of LiveLife Education, who shared compelling case studies of students overcoming adversity through affirmation, hope, and structured mental wellness support.
Discussions ranged from culturally relevant peer support models to strategies for early identification of student distress. Experts emphasized the urgent need to embed mental health access within institutional frameworks — especially as mental health challenges increasingly impact employability and placement readiness among youth.
The MindForward India Conclave underscored a unified call to action: to build emotionally resilient, mentally healthy campuses that empower students to thrive — academically, socially, and professionally.
