Hyderabad, November 01, 2026: The Rotary Club of Hyderabad Mavericks has concluded its year-long PEP-UP Project, a Rs 33 lakh mental well-being initiative that reached 3,207 students across eight government and private schools in Hyderabad. Of 574 students identified as needing additional mental health support, 503 moved into the Green Zone following counselling, representing nearly 88% of those initially requiring further attention, while 71 students continue to receive ongoing care.
The project, described as the largest student mental health initiative in Telangana, involved mental health awareness sessions and the screening of 2,686 students aged 13–21. The programme exceeded its original screening target of 2,500 students, with 1,164 boys and 1,522 girls participating. The first-level screening placed 2,112 students in the Green Zone and 574 in need of additional support. A second-level assessment categorised 440 students in the Orange Zone and 134 in the Red Zone, with these zones serving as indicators for further intervention rather than clinical diagnoses.
Eight institutions participated
The eight participating institutions were Sri Sahithi High School, ZPHS Kothaguda, New Bloom High School, ZPHS Kondapur, Samskruthi High School, Government Junior College, G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science, and ZPHS Peddamangalaram. The Rotary Club of Hyderabad Mavericks served as the host, with the Rotary Club of Livermore as international sponsor. Manojagrithi and Sudisha Counselling Centre provided implementation and counselling support.
Mindpot app and toolkit launched
The project concluded with a showcase event at G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science, Shaikpet, Hyderabad, where Rotary District Governor Uday Pilani and Guest of Honour Rashida Adenwala unveiled Mindpot, a mental well-being app for students, and a Well-being Toolkit handbook. The annual report documenting the project’s implementation and achievements was also released in the presence of Rotarians, teachers, and counsellors.
Speaking at the event, Uday Pilani said, “Mental health is an extension of peace. Peace is an important area of focus for Rotary, and peace within oneself ensures better mental health.” He highlighted the importance of nurturing mental well-being among children during their formative years and noted that genuine spiritual leaders often serve as mental well-being guides.
Counselling and outcomes
All students took part in group counselling sessions on topics such as smart study skills, digital well-being, emotional awareness, and examination anxiety. Individual counselling was provided confidentially to students in the Orange and Red Zones, with those in the Red Zone referred for specialised support as needed. Post-counselling assessment showed that 205 of the 228 boys and 298 of the 346 girls initially requiring support moved into the Green Zone.
Ajay Kumar Kambhampati, President of the Rotary Club of Hyderabad Mavericks, noted that the initiative was implemented under Rotary Global Grant GG2573626 and focused on awareness, screening, prevention, counselling, and early intervention. Dr. Geetha Challa, Child and Adolescent Psychologist and Founder-Director of Manojagrithi, emphasised the importance of early identification of emotional and psychological concerns and creating supportive environments for youth.
Student feedback and future steps
Students reported improvements in concentration, anger management, confidence, and communication with parents. The awareness sessions addressed emotional challenges such as stress, anxiety, sadness, and low confidence, and introduced coping strategies like deep breathing, mindfulness, journaling, and seeking support from trusted adults. The project concluded with a call for educational institutions, parents, teachers, and community organisations to collaborate in nurturing emotionally resilient youth.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a press release provided by the concerned organisation and has been edited for style and clarity with the assistance of AI tools. BusinessFortnight does not verify, endorse, or take responsibility for the claims, figures, or statements made in the original release.
