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Bidar, Karnataka

Don Bosco Leads Mental Health Awareness Drive in Bidar

10 October 2026

Mental Health,

News reported by: BIS Correspondent

Don Bosco Social Service Society, Bidar, joined hands with district authorities and health institutions on October 10 to mark World Mental Health Day 2026 with a public awareness rally promoting mental health awareness and early intervention.

The District Administration, Zilla Panchayat Bidar, District Legal Services Authority, District Health and Family Welfare Department, BRIMS, District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), BREADS Bengaluru, and Don Bosco Social Service Society, Bidar, jointly organised the rally. More than 120 participants, including students, teachers, health professionals and social service personnel, took part in the initiative.

The rally began at the District Health Officer’s Office and proceeded to Government Nursing College, Bidar. Carrying placards and raising awareness slogans, participants highlighted the importance of emotional well-being, timely professional support and the need to eliminate stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental health conditions. The campaign also publicised the Tele-MANAS helpline, 14416, as a mental health support resource.

The programme highlighted the World Mental Health Day 2026 message, “Listening to Experiences, Real Voices, Real Change,” stressing the importance of listening to people experiencing mental health difficulties and creating supportive communities where they can seek help without fear or discrimination.

Dr Kiran Patil, District Mental Health Programme Officer, Bidar, said mental health is integral to personal, family and social well-being and deserves the same attention as physical health. He encouraged the public to speak openly about mental health concerns and seek professional assistance when necessary.

Dr Raghavendra Vagole, psychiatrist at BRIMS, Bidar, emphasised the importance of early identification and timely intervention. He urged people experiencing loneliness, depression, anxiety, emotional distress or other psychological difficulties to consult doctors, psychiatrists or counsellors rather than conceal or ignore their concerns. He noted that timely treatment and counselling can contribute significantly to recovery and overall well-being.

Highlighting Don Bosco’s continuing commitment to mental health promotion, Fr. Steven Lawrence, Director of Don Bosco Social Service Society, Bidar, spoke about the MINDS Project, which works to strengthen mental health awareness among students, teachers, parents, schools and local communities. The initiative focuses particularly on children’s mental well-being and equips teachers with training to foster safe, supportive and child-friendly school environments.

The rally brought together representatives of the Health Department, DMHP, BRIMS, District Legal Services Authority, Don Bosco Social Service Society, the MINDS team, teachers, students, the mobile clinic team and other stakeholders, along with members of the public.

The initiative reinforced the message that mental health is an essential part of overall health and that seeking help is responsible self-care, not weakness. Participants called on the public to overcome fear, stigma and hesitation and encouraged those experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties to seek timely professional assistance.

The programme concluded with a collective commitment to promote mental health awareness, encourage early help-seeking and build a more informed, compassionate and mentally healthy community.