Bengaluru, October 10, 2026: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bengaluru Campus, organised a 5K walkathon in association with Maarga Mind Care to mark World Mental Health Day, aiming to promote mental health literacy, early recognition of concerns, and open conversations about well-being.
The event, themed “Walk for Health: Steps Towards Better Mental Health,” brought together students, faculty, staff, healthcare professionals, local authority representatives, volunteers, and community members. Organisers highlighted the importance of timely support and the role of physical activity in managing stress and supporting overall health.
Focus on early intervention
The walkathon is part of MAHE Bengaluru’s broader initiative to advance mental health literacy across the campus and community. A 2026 study of students in higher education institutions in Bengaluru underscored the need for institutional support, with counselling data identifying anxiety, family conflict, and academic stress as key concerns. Organisers said these findings reinforce the need for a connected ecosystem enabling early recognition and appropriate care.
Event flagged off by local leaders
S. R. Vishwanath, MLA of Yelahanka Constituency, flagged off the walkathon. Other dignitaries present included Dr. Raghavendra Prabhu P., Additional Registrar, MAHE Bengaluru; Dr. Jothi Neeraja, Chairwoman of Maarga Mind Care; Mahadev, Executive Engineer, Lake Division, BNCC, Yelahanka; and Chandu C N, President, Yelahanka United Environmental Association. Participants began the day with a warm-up session before walking the Allalasandra Lake loop.
Organisers call for open conversations
MLA S. R. Vishwanath said mental health should receive the same attention as physical health, and that initiatives like the MAHE Bengaluru Walkathon encourage healthy habits and create awareness about mental well-being. Dr. Raghavendra Prabhu, Additional Registrar at MAHE Bengaluru, stated that mental health and well-being are essential to the student and campus experience, and the initiative reflects efforts to build understanding and access to support through engagement with students, healthcare partners, and the community.
Dr. Jothi Neeraja, Founder, Chairwoman and Managing Director of Maarga Mind Care, said Bengaluru has built a strong ecosystem around healthcare, education, and innovation, and that mental health needs to be an equally important part of that progress. She added that Maarga Mind Care aims to strengthen the continuum of care in Bengaluru, from early recognition through treatment and recovery.
Event partners and organisational background
The walkathon was organised by MAHE Bengaluru in association with Maarga Mind Care, with support from the Volunteer Services Organization, National Service Scheme, National Cadet Corps, and Manipal Hospitals.
MAHE is an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, offering over 400 specialisations across multiple streams at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. In the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, MAHE was ranked third nationally.
Maarga Mind Care, headquartered in Bengaluru and led by Dr. Jothi Neeraja and Dr. Abhishek Hariharan Kandluri, provides a range of mental health services and plans to expand from its current 40-bed centre to 25 centres with over 1,750 beds by 2030. Maarga Mind Care is empanelled with the U.S. Embassy (South India) and is a partner of the Canadian Embassy across India.
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