On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, over 100 youth gathered at Marine Drive for the "Art of Letting Go" balloon activity, a symbolic initiative to promote healing and emotional well-being. The event was part of a larger awareness and outreach effort by Mpower, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, founded by Neerja Birla, to address the growing mental health concerns among India's youth.
Between 2022 and 2025, Mpower reached more than 5,27,000 young adults across India, with Mumbai emerging as one of the top cities for mental health engagement. Pune recorded the highest outreach with 2,67,175 beneficiaries, followed by Mumbai at 1,65,000, Kota with 35,109, Bangalore with 15,482, and Delhi with 8,706. The data indicates a growing willingness among young Mumbaikars to seek help, marking a cultural shift in how mental health is perceived and addressed.
Within Mumbai, 53,657 males and 69,084 females participated in Mpower's programmes. The most common issues included personality, mood, and anxiety disorders, as well as a rising number of learning disabilities and an emerging trend of adult ADHD. Experts highlight this as an urgent call for early intervention and a stronger ecosystem of mental health support for India's young population.
To address this, Mpower has been actively expanding its outreach through campus activities, wellness booths, and interactive workshops focused on awareness and coping strategies. Initiatives like the "Art of Letting Go" activity at Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics, B.K. Birla College, K.J. Somaiya College, and Marine Drive encouraged students to express themselves, build peer connections, and symbolically release emotional burdens.
"Mental health concerns among youth need immediate attention," said Neerja Birla. "Our vision of Swasth Yuva Bharat is to nurture a generation that is resilient, mentally strong, and emotionally balanced. This can only be achieved through early interventions, empowering educators, and strengthening peer networks and counselling support. This World Mental Health Day, it is time to move from awareness to action and make seeking help normalised."
The national picture further underscores the urgency. According to National Crime Records Bureau, suicide remains the leading cause of death among young Indians, with a 65 per cent increase between 2013 and 2023. With over 250 million youth in India, stigma-free, accessible, and integrated mental health systems are critical.
Beyond campuses, Mpower has extended its programmes to workplaces through the Corporate Mental Health Pledge, which has united over 75 organisations in prioritising employee well-being. Initiatives such as the Human Library project also allow adolescents and young adults to share lived experiences of anxiety, bullying, and resilience, fostering empathy and reducing stigma.
Mpower's efforts highlight a comprehensive approach to mental health, focusing on awareness, accessibility, and emotional safety across various youth spaces. For immediate support, Mpower offers a 24x7 toll-free mental health helpline at 1800-120-820050.