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Breaking the Stigma, Building Connections: ORC’s Community Mental Health Initiative in Dubrayapet
In a society where mental health is often whispered about rather than openly discussed, creating safe, inclusive, and compassionate spaces for dialogue becomes not just important — but essential.
On May 8, 2025, Our Responsibility to Children (ORC), a flagship initiative of Svarnim Puducherry, took meaningful strides in the heart of Dubrayapet, Puducherry, towards addressing community mental well-being. This grassroots outreach program wasn’t just an event — it was a commitment to change.
The activities were carefully crafted around the belief that mental health is not just an individual concern, but a collective responsibility. ORC’s interventions focused on:
Raising awareness about mental health and educating participants about signs, support systems, and seeking help.
Creating safe spaces for individuals and families to open up, connect, and support one another.
Reducing stigma, which often silences those who need help the most.
Empowering individuals with the knowledge and confidence to manage emotional challenges and support their peers.
The success of the program rested on three key pillars:
Inclusivity: Every voice matters. The ORC team ensured that the program addressed the needs of all — including youth, parents, caregivers, and teachers — and collaborated with professionals and local stakeholders.
Empathy and Compassion: Through open conversations, active listening, and non-judgmental dialogue, the initiative fostered an environment of trust and shared growth.
Sustainability: This wasn’t a one-time outreach. The ORC team continues to build long-term strategies and support systems, aiming for enduring impact in mental health education and care.
As stories were shared, questions asked, and connections made, it became clear that programs like these don’t just inform — they transform. They bring healing where silence once stood, and hope where stigma used to thrive.
This event in Dubrayapet is one of many. ORC envisions a Puducherry where mental health is prioritized as much as physical health, and where every child, teacher, and community member feels seen, supported, and safe.
Let us all be a part of this change. As Sri Aurobindo once wrote,
“True knowledge is not attained by thinking. It is what you are; it is what you become.”
Stay connected. Stay compassionate. And most importantly — keep the conversation going.
Want to support ORC’s work or bring mental health awareness programs to your school or community?📧 Contact us at: [email protected]🌐 Learn more: www.svarnimpuducherry.com