Tag: Mental Health Awareness

Social

DRAG Hosts EMPOWER 2026 Annual Get-Together for Persons with Disabilities

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

PANAJI, GOA: In a heartfelt initiative to promote inclusion and empowerment, the Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) organised its Annual Get-Together, EMPOWER 2026, on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Shubham Jinn Ashram, Agacaim — a meditation and holistic healing centre run by the Pilar Fathers. The programme was held from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm and brought together persons with disabilities for a day filled with learning, interaction, and celebration.
More than just an event, EMPOWER 2026 was envisioned as a safe and welcoming space where participants could feel included, heard, and empowered. The day featured interactive sessions on personality development, kitchen gardening, health awareness, mental well-being, and disability rights. Fun games, shared meals, and engaging activities further encouraged bonding and confidence-building among attendees.
Participation in the programme was free of cost, ensuring that financial constraints did not hinder anyone from attending. To enhance accessibility, transport facilities were arranged from Panjim Bus Stand and Agacaim Market for participants who required assistance.


Fr. Hilario Fernandes, SFX, Director of the Centre, inaugurated the programme by reminding participants of their importance as God’s creations. Through religious reflections and quotes, he emphasised that their relationship with God and their inherent dignity matter far more than their disabilities or societal perceptions.
Mithali Naik and her daughter Gargi from Giggle Gardeners, Borim, conducted an engaging session on kitchen gardening. They demonstrated hands-on techniques, including the correct proportion of soil mixing for a healthy and sustainable garden.
Ms. Terrency Luis and Ms. Vivian highlighted the importance of a balanced diet for maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. They also conducted health check-ups for all participants as part of the awareness initiative.
Avelino de Sa, President of DRAG, elaborated on the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, urging participants to understand and assert their rights.
Fr. Ivan D’Mello, SFX, delivered an insightful session on mental health, guiding participants through simple breathing exercises to help them let go of past experiences. He explained that dwelling on past challenges can affect the present and future, encouraging everyone to focus on healing and self-growth.
The programme concluded with a thanksgiving Mass, where participants expressed gratitude for the Association’s continued support since its inception.
Through EMPOWER 2026, DRAG reinforced the message that self-growth, dignity, and belonging are rights — not privileges — and that true empowerment begins when communities come together to learn, support, and uplift one another.

International

Kate Middleton Marks 44th Birthday with Emotional ‘Mother Nature’ Finale, Reflects on Healing and Gratitude

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral International Desk

Princess of Wales Kate Middleton marked her 44th birthday with the release of an emotional and deeply personal short film titled Winter, the fourth and final installment of her Mother Nature series. Released on Friday, January 9, the film reflects on healing, gratitude, and the profound connection between nature and wellbeing.

The visually poetic film captures Princess Kate on an early morning walk through frost-covered landscapes, strolling across bridges, dipping her hand into a flowing stream, and standing reflectively in open fields. Through a calm and introspective voiceover, she speaks about stillness, patience, and self-discovery during life’s colder and darker seasons.

“Even in the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration,” Kate reflects in the film, drawing parallels between the natural world and inner healing. She speaks of gratitude, emotional release, and the peace found in surrendering to nature’s rhythms, describing it as both a quiet teacher and a guide toward healing.

In the caption accompanying the film, the Princess of Wales described the Mother Nature series as “a deeply personal, creative reflection on how nature has helped me heal,” while also highlighting its broader message of collective healing through creativity and environmental connection. Signing off simply with “C,” Kate emphasised the importance of learning from nature to build a healthier and happier world.

Filmed across locations including Berkshire — where Kate lives with Prince William and their three children — as well as London and the Cotswolds, the film was captured by filmmaker Will Warr. The series began in May 2025 to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, followed by Summer in August and Autumn in November.

The release of Winter comes a year after Kate publicly announced that she was in remission from cancer in January 2025. She had earlier shared her diagnosis in March 2024 and underwent treatment, including chemotherapy. Throughout that journey, Kate frequently spoke about the comfort and strength she drew from spending time outdoors.

A long-time advocate of connecting with nature, including the practice of forest bathing, Kate’s bond with the natural world took on deeper meaning during her recovery. Her earlier health updates, often shared through outdoor imagery, symbolised hope, resilience, and renewal.

With Winter, the Princess of Wales brings her Mother Nature series to a close — leaving behind a powerful message about healing, patience, and the enduring wisdom of the natural world, offered with grace, vulnerability, and quiet strength.

EduConnect

Don Bosco College, Panjim Hosts ‘Psyrenity’ – A Celebration of Mental Health Awareness

Tanisha Cardozo

The B.A. Department of Psychology at Don Bosco College, Panjim, organized “Psyrenity – A Celebration of Mental Health Awareness” on October 13, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The festival served as a platform to promote positivity, self-expression, and emotional well-being through an engaging blend of creative stalls, games, and interactive experiences that encouraged reflection on mental health.

The event featured several unique and thought-provoking activities, including “Pop Your Insecurities,” where participants symbolically released their self-doubts; “Compliment Booth,” which spread smiles through kind words; “Knock Out the Negativity,” a fun stress-relief game; and “Express to Destress,” a space for artistic and emotional expression. One of the highlights of the day was the special fundraising canteen titled “Mood Foods,” themed around the link between food and emotions — blending nourishment with awareness.

The festival was organized under the guidance of Director Fr. Kinley D’Cruz, Principal Dr. Cedric Silveira, and Dr. Vijay Viegas, Head of the Department of Psychology, along with Ms. Grebian Alemao (College Counsellor), Ms. Nerissa Zuzarte (Faculty Coordinator), and Assistant Professors Ms. Andrea D’Souza and Ms. Tabitha Nunes. Students from all three years of the B.A. Psychology program worked with great enthusiasm to design and host the stalls, ensuring every visitor left inspired and smiling.

Psyrenity witnessed enthusiastic participation from students and faculty across various departments, creating a campus-wide spirit of positivity and unity. The event served as a gentle reminder that mental health matters — and that small acts of kindness, understanding, and self-care can have a powerful ripple effect.

With its creative and compassionate approach, Psyrenity reflected Don Bosco College’s ongoing commitment to promoting holistic well-being, empathy, and emotional growth within its academic community. The celebration concluded with laughter, reflection, and a renewed awareness that nurturing mental health is a joyful and collective responsibility.

EduConnect

Don Bosco College, Panjim Holds Awareness Session on ‘Prevention of Suicide Among Teenagers’

Tanisha Cardozo

On October 6, 2025, the Department of Psychology and the Wellness Club of Don Bosco College, Panjim–Goa, organized an impactful awareness session on “Prevention of Suicide Among Teenagers.” The event formed part of the National Task Force Initiative and aimed to raise awareness, promote emotional well-being, and equip students with strategies to recognize and respond to signs of distress among peers.

The session was conducted by Ms. Aafreen Khan, College Counsellor at Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Miramar–Goa, who served as the Resource Person. In her engaging and empathetic address, Ms. Khan discussed the growing concern of teenage suicide, shedding light on the complex psychological, social, and emotional factors contributing to it. She emphasized the importance of fostering open communication, encouraging early intervention, and practicing empathy in supporting individuals facing emotional struggles.

Ms. Khan guided students on offering meaningful peer support, seeking professional help when necessary, and addressing the stigma that still surrounds mental health issues. Her interactive approach encouraged students to share their perspectives and engage in open dialogue, creating a safe and reflective space for learning and understanding.

Students from the First, Second, and Third Year B.A. programs, along with members of the Wellness Club, participated actively in the session. The event concluded with a message of hope and reassurance—that every life matters and that help is always available.

This initiative not only sensitized young minds to the realities of mental health challenges but also reinforced the importance of cultivating a campus culture centered on care, empathy, and mental well-being. Don Bosco College continues to uphold its commitment to holistic student development, ensuring that mental health awareness remains a vital part of its educational environment.

rip

Baek Se-hee, Author of I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, Dies at 35

Tanisha Cardozo

Baek Se-hee, the South Korean author of the internationally acclaimed memoir I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, has died at the age of 35. Known for her candid exploration of mental health and her ability to articulate the quiet inner conflicts that many face, Baek leaves behind a legacy of honesty, empathy, and cultural impact.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DP8SkZ6AeTw/

Her 2018 book, which was originally published in Korean, quickly became a cultural touchstone. Composed of a series of real conversations with her psychiatrist, the book offered readers a rare and unfiltered look into the daily struggles of living with persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia). In doing so, Baek challenged social stigmas and gave language to thoughts and feelings that often remain unspoken.

The memoir struck a powerful chord with readers not just in South Korea, but globally. Following its English translation in 2022, I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki became a bestseller in over 25 countries, selling more than a million copies worldwide. Its title—juxtaposing despair with a craving for a beloved Korean street food—embodied the paradoxes of life with mental illness: the desire to give up, yet also the impulse to hold on for the small joys.

The circumstances surrounding Baek’s death remain unclear. However, in a statement released by the Korean Organ Donation Agency, it was revealed that Baek had donated her heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys—saving five lives in the process. Her final act reflects the deep compassion that marked both her life and work. A message from her sister included in the statement said Baek “wanted to share her heart with others through her work, and to inspire hope.”

In a world where silence around mental health is often the norm, Baek Se-hee wrote with courage and clarity. Her words made readers feel less alone. Her story became a mirror for many, especially young people navigating similar emotional terrains. Her book was not only a success in sales, but a rare example of how literature can serve as both a confessional and a collective healing space.

As tributes pour in from readers, authors, and mental health advocates, Baek’s work continues to resonate. Her passing is a significant loss to global literature and the mental health community, but her impact will live on in the hearts of readers she moved and lives she saved.