Manindra Narayan Singh
An initiative to promote mental well-being, positive thinking and a compassionate society
Lucknow, 10 October 2026: In a meaningful initiative to promote mental health awareness, SkillX organised a special online Zoom Meeting on the occasion of World Mental Health & Well-Being Day. The programme brought together awareness, practical guidance and meditation to encourage people to give mental well-being the attention it deserves.
The meeting was organised around a simple yet powerful message: “A Healthy Mind, a Healthy Life and a Brighter Tomorrow.” It aimed to encourage open conversations about mental health, challenge stigma and help people understand that seeking emotional support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Mental health: A global concern
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide were living with a mental disorder in 2023, approximately one in seven people. Anxiety and depressive disorders were among the most common conditions. Although effective treatments are available, many people still face barriers to care because of stigma, lack of awareness and inadequate access to mental health services. 
These figures underline the urgent need to make mental health awareness a part of everyday life. Mental well-being influences how people manage stress, make decisions, maintain relationships, learn, work and contribute to their communities.
The WHO also emphasises that mental health is shaped not only by individual circumstances but also by family relationships, social connections, economic conditions, safe environments and access to appropriate support. Promoting mental health, therefore, requires collective efforts from individuals, families, educational institutions, workplaces, healthcare professionals and community organisations. 
Dr Nehal Raza of Lions Club Rudauli ( Ayodhya), District 321B1, compiled the relevant data and information from WHO to support the mental health awareness initiative. This evidence-based approach helped place the discussion in a broader public-health context and reinforced the importance of awareness, early support, compassion and community participation.
Three sessions with three important messages
The Zoom Meeting featured three focused sessions designed to address different aspects of mental well-being.
Why Is Mental Health Important?
Speaker: Lion H. N. Singh, Lucknow
The opening session highlighted the importance of recognising mental health as an integral part of overall health. Lion H. N. Singh ( Lions Club Lucknow Kapoorthala) discussed the role of positive thinking, emotional balance, healthy communication and supportive relationships in everyday life. He emphasised that people should not hesitate to talk about their concerns and seek help when they need it.
How to Use Your Mind Effectively
Speaker: Lion Pinkesh Patoria Jain, Parasia, Chindwara ( M.P.)
This session explored the importance of thoughts, attitudes and mental discipline. Participants were encouraged to develop a constructive outlook, respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively, and approach challenges with patience and confidence. The discussion highlighted how awareness of our thinking patterns can support better decisions and healthier relationships.
Deep Meditation - Guided Meditation
Facilitator: Mrs. Richa Verma, Lucknow
The final session offered participants an opportunity to experience guided meditation. Through a calm and focused approach, the session encouraged relaxation, attention to the present moment and awareness of breathing. Regular meditation may help some people manage everyday stress and improve concentration, complementing professional mental health care when needed.
The 2026 WHO theme: Listening to lived experiences
The programme's message also resonated with the World Health Organization's official theme for 2026: “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.” The campaign calls for people who have experienced mental health conditions to be meaningfully involved in shaping policies, services and decisions that affect their lives. It stresses that listening must lead to action, dignity, inclusion and more responsive community-based care. 
This message is particularly important in communities where people may hesitate to discuss mental health problems because of fear of judgement or social stigma. Listening without prejudice, respecting personal experiences and guiding people towards appropriate professional support can make a real difference.
TreeTake: Media Partner for environmental awareness
TreeTake, the media partner for the initiative, is an environment-focused magazine whose identity reflects a commitment to nature and environmental awareness. Its motto, “A first-of-its-kind magazine on environment which is for nature, of nature, by us,” expresses its emphasis on connecting people with the natural world.
Through its association with this programme, TreeTake helped bring an environmental perspective to a public health awareness initiative. A clean, green and supportive environment, opportunities to spend time in nature, and stronger community connections can contribute to overall well-being. This partnership reflects the value of bringing environmental consciousness and human welfare together.
SkillX: Learning, leadership and community service
The programme was coordinated by Dr Satyendra Sharma of Satna and supported by Lions International, SkillX, TreeTake, Hypnoheal Academy and Aap Aur Hum. The free online meeting was held on Zoom, making participation accessible to people beyond geographical boundaries.
SkillX's involvement reflected the importance of using leadership development and educational platforms to address issues that directly affect individuals, families and communities. By combining expert-led discussion, practical ideas and guided meditation, the meeting sought to turn awareness into everyday action.
A message for society
Mental health awareness should not be confined to a single day or an online meeting. It must become an ongoing commitment in our homes, schools, workplaces and communities.
We can all contribute by listening patiently, avoiding hurtful labels, maintaining meaningful relationships, encouraging people to seek professional help when necessary, and creating spaces where individuals feel safe to speak openly. Persistent emotional distress deserves appropriate assessment and care; meditation and positive thinking can be helpful, but they are not substitutes for professional treatment when it is needed.
The SkillX Zoom Meeting delivered an important message: mental health is everyone's concern, and caring for one another is a shared responsibility.
By combining WHO-based information compiled by Dr. Nehal Raza, practical guidance from the speakers, meditation and the environmental awareness represented by TreeTake, the initiative brought together knowledge, compassion and community engagement.
Let us continue to listen, understand and support one another because every mind deserves care, every voice deserves respect, and every person deserves the opportunity to live with dignity and hope.
Healthy Mind • Healthy Life • Brighter Tomorrow
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