New Delhi, October 8, 2026: The Illness to Wellness Foundation convened a conference in New Delhi ahead of World Mental Health Day 2026, bringing together mental health experts, healthcare professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders to call for open conversations, stigma reduction, early intervention and greater community participation in mental health.
The event, held under the theme “Mind Matters: Nurturing & Strengthening Mental Health and Wellness,” focused on making mental wellness a public health priority through preventive approaches, accessible support systems and involvement from families, workplaces, educational institutions and communities.
Calls for stigma reduction and early support
Prof. (Dr.) Rajinder K. Dhamija, Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Government of NCT of Delhi, highlighted the ongoing stigma around mental health and the need to create environments where individuals feel comfortable seeking professional help. He emphasised that prevention and wellness are as important as clinical treatment, and that effective implementation of mental health policies requires active societal involvement.
Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, stressed the importance of expanding mental health services beyond metropolitan areas to tier 2 and tier 3 cities and rural regions. He cited government initiatives such as Tele-MANAS and the involvement of frontline health workers, including ASHAs and ANMs, in early identification and referral. Bhushan also called for more people to be trained in basic counselling and psychosocial support to ensure accessible help at the community level.
Holistic wellness and supportive environments
Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, underlined the significance of supportive families and workplaces where individuals can discuss emotional struggles without fear of judgement. He advocated for normalising mental health conversations and making help-seeking as routine as addressing physical health concerns.
Padma Shri Prof. (Dr.) Sanjeev Bagai, Founder & Director, Zenré and Chairman, Nephron Clinic, called for a holistic approach to mental wellness that integrates movement, nutrition, sleep, stress reduction and social connection, alongside early diagnosis and intervention. He noted that shame and isolation continue to prevent many from seeking timely help.
Conference sessions and closing remarks
The conference featured two sessions: “Healthy Minds, Healthy Institutions: Workplace, Educational & Community Well-being,” which addressed stress, anxiety and burnout among students and employees; and “Breaking the Silence: A Holistic Approach to Rethinking Mental Health & Redefining Wellness,” which focused on stigma, resilience, emotional balance and mindfulness practices.
Anandpeethadhishwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shree Swami Balkanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Taponidhi Panchayati Shri Anand Akhara, concluded the event by emphasising the role of inner discipline and self-awareness in maintaining mental well-being.
The conference ended with a collective call for greater awareness, open dialogue and community action to integrate mental health and wellness into the fabric of families and society.
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