Founder’s Note: Looking Beyond Boundaries

April has been a powerful reminder that health cannot be Segmented, mental and physical well-being are deeply interconnected. At MHFA India, we took a step further in this direction with our recent webinar, “Beyond Boundaries: Integrating Mental & Physical Health for Holistic Well-being.”

I’m grateful to our panelists Dr. Lakshmi Murali, Dr. Kurinjinathan, Adv Satyajit Gupta, and Anurup Chakraborty for enriching this dialogue. Their perspectives from psychiatry, hospital systems, law, and corporate insurance highlighted the need for a more inclusive and responsive approach to health in workplaces and healthcare systems alike.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. Your presence and engagement reflect a growing collective will to see people as whole beings, not just bodies or minds in isolation.

Looking ahead, May brings Schizophrenia Awareness Month. In collaboration with SCARF, we will host a panel that centers the voices of psychiatrists, caregivers individuals with lived experience and HR's to talk about employability. I invite you to be a part of this conversation—to listen, learn, and lead the change in your communities and organizations.

Let’s continue to build a culture where health—of all kinds—is prioritized with empathy and action.

Warm regards,

Erinda Shah

Founder & Managing Director, MHFA India

Webinar Recap

In Case You Missed It: Highlights from Our April Panel

Beyond Boundaries: Integrating Mental & Physical Health for Holistic Well-being

The session featured a multidisciplinary panel of experts from mental health, law, and insurance sectors, who shed light on how breaking down silos between physical and mental health is not just ideal—but essential.

The discussion delved into real-world strategies to bridge the gap between the body and mind, and why integrated approaches are key to prevention, recovery, and long-term wellness.

From the importance of mental health parity in healthcare policy to the role of workplaces in creating psychologically safe environments, the session offered actionable takeaways for individuals, caregivers, employers, and health professionals alike.

Key Insights:

• Mental well-being is essential for creativity, resilience, and meaningful innovation.
• Healthcare frameworks must integrate mental health, not just as a department, but as a philosophy.
• Legal and insurance systems need to reduce barriers to access and support for mental health care.
• Workplace wellness cannot be effective without policies that support mental health alongside physical health.
• This conversation was a timely reminder: integrated care is not a luxury but a necessity.

Missed the event? Watch the full session here:

Coming This May: Schizophrenia Awareness Month

In Partnership with SCARF, Chennai

To mark Schizophrenia Awareness Day, MHFA India will host a meaningful panel discussion with SCARF Chennai featuring mental health professionals, a caregiver, an individual with lived experience and a Human Resource Professional.

Event Details

Title: Schizophrenia Awareness: Building Conversations & Understanding

Date: Tentatively May 22, 2025

Format: Online Panel Discussion

Discussion Highlights:

• Addressing misconceptions and stigma.
• The care giving journey—what it demands and teaches.
• Lived experiences that challenge assumptions and offer hope.
• HR

How You Can Participate:

Share Your Story: HR professionals, leaders, and caregivers—your insights matter. 

Together, let’s shape a future where schizophrenia is not sidelined, but understood and supported.

Event details and register links will be updated shortly.

Community Voices: Testimonial Spotlight

Rahul MD recently completed the MHFA training and shared a heartfelt reflection on his experience. He praised the course for helping him understand mental health through a deeper, more compassionate lens. A special mention was made of our trainer, Erinda Shah, for her empathetic and professional approach to delivering sensitive content.

Rahul strongly recommends that HR and medical teams across organizations consider MHFA India as a partner in their corporate wellness strategy. His words are a powerful reminder that Mental Health First Aid is not just a training—it's a movement toward creating safer, more supportive workplaces.

Social Media Spotlight: Most Engaging Conversations

Stories That Inspire: Leadership and the Power of MHFA

As part of our recent campaign, we invited professionals to share how Mental Health First Aid has influenced their workplace experiences—not just through personal challenges, but in how they lead and support others.

One such story is that of Anuja Attrey Kaleb, whose journey as an MHFAider transformed her leadership approach. Her reflections underscore the critical role that MHFA training plays in equipping individuals to respond with empathy, foster openness, and promote mental well-being across teams.

Stories like Anuja’s remind us why Mental Health First Aid is vital in today’s workplaces. When leaders embrace MHFA, they create safer, more compassionate spaces for others to thrive. watch video here

Every MHFAider becomes a torchbearer of empathy, action, and change—and we’re proud to see this spirit come alive through stories like these.

Let’s keep celebrating vulnerability, sharing our learning journeys, and working toward a future where mental health is part of every workplace conversation.

Submit your story here

Burnout Recovery: What Works, What Doesn’t

Top Engagement Post: Burnout Recovery—What Works, What Doesn’t

In April, one of our most talked-about and widely shared social media posts was on Burnout Recovery—a topic resonating deeply with professionals across sectors. Through insights gathered from our community discussions, Mental Health First Aiders, and expert feedback, we examined strategies that actually help in recovering from burnout versus those that often fall short.

What Does Work:

• Prioritizing life-work balance over constant hustle.
• Creating safe, open channels for conversations about mental health at work.
• Valuing progress over perfection in personal and professional goals.

What Doesn’t Work:

• Ignoring emotional or physical warning signs.
• Overcompensating by working harder.
• Relying solely on short breaks or time off without addressing root causes.

This post sparked meaningful dialogue across our platforms and highlighted a growing need for sustainable mental health practices in the workplace.

Join the conversation and discover more practical tools by visiting our MHFA Page for more Insightful posts.

Trending on Quora: Mental Health in Focus

Our most popular answers this month sparked meaningful engagement and reflection around timely mental health topics.

1. Why are Mental Health Services important?

Mental health services aren’t just for crisis—they are essential for early intervention, recovery, and overall well-being. Accessible and stigma-free services can prevent escalation and improve quality of life.

2. Why choose an accredited mental health counseling program?

 Accreditation ensures quality, ethics, and consistency in training. Choosing accredited programs builds trust in mental health professionals and strengthens the field as a whole.

3. How do blue spaces improve mental health?

Natural environments, especially water bodies, have a calming effect on the brain. Blue spaces support mindfulness, reduce stress, and promote emotional restoration—making them powerful allies for mental health.

Reflections from the NASSCOM GCC Summit 2025

Workforce Well-being: The Quiet Catalyst for India’s GCC Growth

At the 15th NASSCOM Global Capability Centers (GCC) Summit in Hyderabad, the focus on “Ambition, Agility, Ascent” was clear. But beyond the tech and transformation, what stood out was this: mental well-being is a foundational driver of innovation, impact, and agility.

We urge GCC leaders to integrate workforce well-being into their strategic agendas—not just as a benefit, but as a business imperative.

Detail view on our reflection from NASSCOMGCC2025

Celebrating 25 Years of Mental Health First Aid

This year marks a global milestone: 25 years of MHFA.

 From its origins in Australia to its presence in over 30 countries, MHFA has empowered millions to recognize and respond to mental health concerns with confidence and compassion.

At MHFA India, we are proud to be part of this global journey. With every training, policy discussion, and story shared—we move closer to a mentally healthier society.

Be part of the movement. Sign up today

Upcoming Mental Health First Aid Trainings

Equip yourself or your team with MHFA certification.

Format: Blended learning (Online + Live sessions)

For: Workplaces, educators, leaders, and anyone ready to support others.

Visit our website for upcoming dates and details.

 [Explore MHFA India Trainings] 

📩 Got questions or want to collaborate? Reach out to us anytime.

 Let’s keep building a community where mental health is everyone’s business.