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If you’re a youth with a heart that cares deeply about mental health, this is your space, your fight, and your right.

On November 10, 2024, the Hibiscus Foundation for Social Welfare hosted the Indian Mental Health Youth Summit 2024, gathering over 250 young advocates from 55 cities across 22 states. With participants representing 78 organisations, the summit was a vibrant platform for youth to share insights, innovative strategies, and actionable steps to address pressing mental health issues. The event opened with a heartfelt poem by Abhyuday Kiran Hadal, an 18-year-old poet and founder of Project Gita, setting an empathetic tone.

The summit then introduced four esteemed speakers whose unique perspectives enriched the conversation. Hitesh Sanwal, founder of Youth for Mental Health and Chairperson of the Youth Section at the World Federation for Mental Health, emphasized the role of youth in driving systemic change. Dr. Harshita Umesh, medical doctor and founder of Vaada, spoke on the intersection of mental health, climate change, and social justice, while Mehak Hajira, a public speaker and advocate for gender equity, mental health, and SRHR, shared her insights on fostering inclusivity and resilience. Parth Sharma, a decolonial researcher and therapist, discussed his work with survivors of systemic violence, advocating for mental health practices grounded in equity and liberation.

Supported by partners SCARF Department of Youth Mental Health, Heart It Out, The Mind and Company, That Desi Psychologist, Association for Youth Well-Being, and Project StateCraft, the summit was a collaborative step toward a mentally healthier future.

Our Keynote Speakers

  • Hitesh Sanwal

    Hitesh Sanwal

    Founder & CEO at Youth For Mental Health

    Chairperson, Youth Section at World Federation for Mental Health

  • Parth Sharma

    Parth Sharma

    Decolonial researcher, liberation therapist and culture worker specialising in providing psychotherapy to survivors of systemic violence.

  • DR HARSHITA UMESH

    Dr. Harshita Umesh

    Medical Doctor, Founder of Vaada and a Mental Health, SRHR and Climate Change Advocate

  • Mehak Hajira

    Mehak Hajira

    Public Speaker, Writer, Content Creator and an Advocate for Gender Equity, Mental health and SRHR

Know More

#IMHYS2024 | #YouthForMentalHealth

OUR PARTNERS

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

What is this event?

The Indian Youth Mental Health Summit 2024 is a platform for young people to voice their concerns, share experiences, and contribute to shaping a future that prioritizes mental well-being. It is designed for youth who are passionate about mental health, eager to learn, and ready to take action. If you care about mental health and the well-being of yourself and others, this is your space, your mission, and your opportunity to be part of a larger conversation.

 

APPLY TO BE OUR

Partnership Proposal.

Code of Conduct.

TIMELINE

  • 10 October 2024

    Opening of Registration

  • 6 November 2024

    Closing of Registration

  • 10 November 2024

    Day of the Summit

AGENDA OF THE SUMMIT

Introduction and Keynote Speech

11:00am - 11:30am

Guest Speakers to guide the conversation

11:30am - 12:00pm

Breakout rooms and presentations

Conclusion and Call to Action

1:00pm - 1:30pm

12:00pm - 1:00pm

 Frequently Asked Questions 

 

  • The Indian Mental Health Youth Summit 2024 is a platform for young people to voice their concerns, share experiences, and contribute to shaping a future that prioritizes mental well-being. It is designed for youth who are passionate about mental health, eager to learn, and ready to take action. If you care about mental health and the well-being of yourself and others, this is your space, your mission, and your opportunity to be part of a larger conversation.

  • The summit will be held online on 10th November 2024.

  • You can take part as:

    1. Participant: attend and observe the event and, contribute when necessary

    2. Speaker: speak in the plenary and/ or the sub-sessions of the Summit

    3. Sponsor: sponsor the event

    4. Collaborator/Partner: collaborate as an individual or as a organization with us for this event

    5. Volunteer: help us organize this event and volunteer with us.

  • Any youth between the age of 18-30 working on mental health or cares about mental health.

  • Yes, the summit will be recorded but not live streamed.

  • You can apply for the summithereon this form and you will be notified via email once you do.

  • The summit is meant to be a platform for the youth, by the youth. However, if you’re an individual above the age of 30 who fulfill the following criteria, you may apply:

    1. You’re aiding a youth with disabilities toward better accessibility.

    2. You’re heading/representing a youth-focused organization.

  • Upon application, everyone will get to view the summit. However, we shall select certain people to be a speaker.

    1. You will get a better understanding of the ground-level realities of Mental Health in India.

    2. You will be able to network with youth across India in the field of Mental Health.

    3. You will receive a certificate provided you’ve attended the whole summit.

    1. To ensure young people's voices, their realities and perspectives are meaningfully included, heard, and acknowledged in a collective platform.

    2. To create a call to action/recommendation list created by the youth for governments and other stakeholders.

    3. To take the valuable inputs of the youth to local, national, and international platforms

  • Even if you are not working toward the Mental Health right now you can apply to come to learn about the work others are doing in the field.

  • You can send the question to youthsummit@hibiscusfoundation.org.