Indian Chamber Of Commerce, Kolkata, organised a session titled 'Mental Health – Breaking the Stigma' on February 2, 2019 at the chamber itself.
Eminent doctors and social workers like Dr Manoj Shah, Psychiatrist and Professor of Child and Adolescent psychiatry, Hofstra – Northshore LIJ School of Medicine, USA; Dr Shashi Panja, Minister, Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal; HE Bruce Bucknell, British Deputy, High Commissioner in Kolkata and Dr Prerna Shah, Neuropsychologist and Associate Director, Northshore University Hospital, USA alongwith Minu Budhia, Chairperson, ICC Task Force on Special Abilities and Psychotherapist and Founder – Caring Minds, ICANFLYY and Café ICANFLYY were present at the event.
In her address, Minu Budhia welcomed the guests on the behalf of ICC Special Task Force on Special Abilities. She said that this is the first time in any Chamber of Commerce or Industry Association, that a committee or task force has been made to create awareness and talk about mental health. Budhia believes that it is as important for child, as for parents, teachers, or medical professionals.
Sharing her personal experience, Minu stated, "As a mother of a special daughter, I have undergone a full circle – running from pillar to post and surprised at the nil or negligible awareness about mental health. I believe that the first step for mental health is acceptance by family and society. We have come a long way but still miles to go. And that is what we are here to do today."
Minu feels that addressing the barriers attached to mental health is important. As a parent, it took her 10 years to understand and accept and then take it as challenge.
With that ongoing journey of understanding mental health problems and unfolding the myths about it, she started actively working towards the cause too. In the attempt to fight against the mental health problems, she started her own initiatives like CARING MINDS, a psychological wellness centre and ICANFLYY – an institute for special needs and cafe icanflyy – a cafe which runs by special needs individuals.
When it comes to mental health and dealing with its problems, the awareness needs to start from childhood at home, in schools, in colleges and at workplaces. And, the interactive session served as a much-needed platform for exchanging and expanding ideas and issues related to mental health and special needs.
While talking in the session, Minu Budhia quoted Demi Lovato: "I wish people could understand that brain is the most important organ of our body. Just because you can't see mental illness like you see a broken bone, does not mean it is not as detrimental or devastating to a family or an individual."
The session discussed that special need individuals do not need to be employed out of pity or sympathy.
Moreover, corporates, businesses and start-ups should be motivated to embrace the idea with an open mind not only because it is a social responsibility, but also as there is a pool of unemployed and under employed talent that can wbe trapped for the employers' own growth.
The discussion led to a conclusion that workplaces where special individuals work with dignity and confidence are needed, in order to them the place and respect they deserve in society.