The Bharat Dialogues Women’s Mental Health Summit & Awards (WMHSA) 2024 is poised to take place at the India International Centre, New Delhi, on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2024, marking a significant step towards addressing mental health issues among women in India.
This pioneering event is meticulously crafted to foster a transformative dialogue and action plan aimed at improving the mental health landscape across the nation. In a time where mental health concerns among women are garnering increasing attention, WMHSA 2024 endeavors to dismantle existing barriers within the mental health sector through a multidisciplinary approach.
The summit aims to enrich the collective knowledge base, foster impactful collaborations, and advance the shared objective of enhancing mental healthcare in India. It serves as a crucial gathering for professionals, survivors, and advocates within the mental health domain.
Pooja Priyamvada and Vivek Satya Mitram, the co-founders of Bharat Dialogues, emphasize the significance of such a summit in the current Indian context. Pooja Priyamvada underscores the necessity of initiatives like WMHSA 2024 in a country where the discourse around mental health is evolving rapidly, stating, “Initiatives like WMHSA 2024 are not just necessary; they are imperative. By bringing together the brightest minds and the most resilient spirits in the mental health arena, we aim not only to catalyze a shift in discourse but to cultivate a dialogue that addresses the nuanced mental health needs of women in India.”
Vivek Satya Mitram adds, “The statistics around women’s mental health in India reveal a pressing challenge but also an opportunity for substantial impact. WMHSA 2024 is envisioned as a platform where the convergence of ideas, experiences, and strategies can create a holistic and sustainable impact on mental health policies and practices. It’s about creating a shared vision for a future where mental health is prioritized, and support systems are both robust and accessible.”
This summit intends to bring together a diverse array of participants, including senior mental health practitioners, innovative professionals, renowned educators, dedicated social workers, startup founders, and courageous survivors, to facilitate one of India’s most distinguished platforms for recognizing excellence, stimulating dialogue, and strengthening networks within the mental health community.
The Urgency Behind WMHSA 2024
Statistics underscore the critical need for such an event: Approximately 7.5% of Indian women suffer from major mental health conditions, with almost 50% experiencing at least one mental health episode throughout their lifetime. Women are disproportionately affected by mental health disorders compared to men, with incidences of one in five women and one in eight men. Among young women aged 16 to 24, over a quarter experience common mental health issues weekly.
Target Audience and Beneficiaries
Stakeholders across the mental health spectrum, including mental health practitioners, hospitals, clinics, academic institutions, foundations, NGOs, media representatives, journalists, online platforms, education professionals, students specializing in psychology, startups focusing on mental health, women’s organizations, NGOs, and entities creating women-centric products.
WMHSA 2024 Agenda
With an inclusive audience that encompasses every stakeholder in mental health, from practitioners and organizations to media and educators, WMHSA 2024 is structured to ignite conversations, foster learning, and highlight innovative solutions through keynote sessions, industry presentations, interactive panels, and awards.
Keynote Addresses
Insights from leading voices in mental health including NIMHANS director Dr. Pratima Murthy, Fortis National Mental Health Program’s chairperson Dr. Samir Parikh, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist from Moolchand Medicity, Dr. Jitender Nagpal, mental health activist Aparna Piramal Raje, and IHBAS’s former director Dr. Nimesh Desai.
Speeches/ Fireside Chats and Panel Discussions
Interactive and in-depth discussions on pivotal topics around challenges of women, mental health practitioners, and the startups working in this space. Key speakers & panelists include noted women’s rights activist Dr. Ranjana Kumari, Bollywood film director Tanuja Chandra, renowned psychologist Dr. Kamna Chhibber, Bharat Express News Network CMD & Editor-In-Chief Upendra Rai.
Awards Ceremony
Recognition of exceptional contributions to mental health by honoring individuals and organizations.
Anticipated Outcomes
WMHSA 2024 is anticipated to act as a catalyst for change, driving policy reforms and societal attitude shifts towards mental health. It seeks to be a nexus for networking and collaboration that can transform the mental health ecosystem in India. Participants can expect unparalleled networking opportunities, enabling cross-sectoral collaborations vital for the progressive transformation of the mental health ecosystem in India.
