Mental Illness Awareness Week Through the Years
Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), organized by JDSoLA, NMIMS, is more than an event—it’s a call to action. Dedicated to breaking stigma and fostering support, MIAW creates a vibrant space for dialogue, education, and empathy. Through dynamic activities and meaningful interactions, it empowers the community to champion mental health and inspire change.
2024
Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) 2024, hosted by the Psychology Department of JDSoLA, NMIMS, was a vibrant celebration of mental health awareness, blending education, creativity, and advocacy.
Highlights included the satirical skit Mental Health Auction, the Psych-Pitch competition with innovative app ideas to combat social isolation, and the Psych-Chic fashion show narrating mental health stories through style. The excitement didn’t stop there—improv games brought laughter, and a candid talk by Digvijay Singh Rathee struck a chord with the audience. The week concluded on a high note with the Nukkad Natak Shatranj/Pyada, a powerful street play, and the electrifying Psych-Off dance competition. Special performances by Shubhi Joshi and Sachin Sharma added an extra spark to an already unforgettable event.
MIAW 2024 wasn’t just an event; it was a movement that sparked conversations, inspired change, and created a lasting impact on everyone who attended. It was a beautiful reminder that mental health deserves not just attention but celebration, understanding, and action.
Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), organized by the Psychology students, under the guidance of our program chairperson, Dr. Ruttuja Karkhanis More, brought mental health into the spotlight through eight vibrant days of engaging activities.
MIAW 2022 kicked off with Day 1: "Nurture Your Nature”, blending mental health and environmental care, followed by Day 2: "Our Covishields,” where COVID-19 frontline heroes were honored with a talk by Dr. Sachin Nair and a fun Taboo game. On Day 3: "Discover to Recover,” post-pandemic stress and recovery were explored through engaging discussions. Day 4: "Social Drama” used humor and reflection to dive into social media’s psychological impact, while Day 5: "Creative Blues” sparked creativity with mood boards and storytelling. Day 6: "Trivia and Chill” brought Bollywood-inspired stress relief, lifting spirits through fun activities. Day 7: "Mental Health Awareness in Action” featured a flash mob and interactive games, driving important mental health conversations.
The week wrapped up with insightful workshops and discussions on Day 8, leaving participants inspired to advocate for mental health beyond the event.
The Psychology Department celebrated the opening day of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) 2023, on October 9, with a grand festivity. Highlights included heartfelt poetry by students and guest poet Avantika, laughter-filled stand-up comedy acts by Jai Vasani and others, soulful unplugged singing, and a dazzling "Sin and Virtue” fashion show. The day culminated in the electrifying Psychoff Bollywood dance competition, with Second Year Batch 1 taking the crown.
On October 10, World Mental Health Day, Mithibai campus transformed into a hub of positivity and reflection with unique stalls and activities like art therapy, myth-busting games, and affirmation tables fostered self-expression.
The 2023 Nukkad Natak revolved around various diseases visiting an office to gain official recognition. Among them was depression, which was dismissed by the office as "fake" and not a real issue. Depression then defends itself, asserting its legitimacy and the need for recognition,
With 200+ attendees and an atmosphere buzzing with energy, MIAW 2023 was a meaningful step toward a more empathetic, aware, and connected campus community.
On World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2022, the Psychology Committee, hosted its first offline Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) event with the theme "Youth Psychology.” The event kicked off on October 8 with 100 balloons spreading affirmations across campus, setting a positive tone.
October 10 saw the campus alive with interactive stalls offering stress relief activities, memory games, creative mood boards, and student-made food. A lively flash mob and open mic performances highlighted the healing power of music and dance. Inside, a thought-provoking Nukkad Natak addressed peer pressure, while the launch of The Psychlic Zone Magazine marked a key moment in the event.
Collaborations with Neev Specialty Clinic and Saahas Remedial Center brought activities for children with autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Esteemed guests, including Dr. Meena Chintamaneni and Dr. Purvi Bhatt, along with faculty support, made MIAW 2022 a truly impactful success.
'Getting Mindfulness Right' Book Launch & Workshop
On October 19, 2024, the PsychShop Department of the Psychology Committee, Department of Psychology, hosted a book launch and workshop for "Getting Mindfulness Right" by Dr. Swati Desai.
The event featured a panel discussion with Dr. Desai and renowned actors, Mrs. Supriya Pilgaonkar and Ms. Shriya Pilgaonkar. Dr. Desai emphasized the significance of mindfulness in today's world, particularly amidst the pervasive influence of social media. Mrs. Supriya and Ms. Shriya shared their personal experiences as actors, highlighting the role of mindfulness in their profession. Ms. Shriya also reflected on how the book has impacted her, urging young people to read it and prioritize their mental health.
Dr. Desai then conducted an interactive workshop where participants practiced non-judgmental listening and compassionate communication. The session covered various therapeutic techniques, offering valuable insights into mindfulness and the path to becoming a better therapist.
At Jyoti Dalal School of Liberal Arts (JDSoLA), students are taught to understand the importance of holistic development, nurturing not just their academic excellence but also fostering a vibrant community where they can explore their interests, develop new skills, and forge lifelong friendships. Our wide array of extracurricular activities reflects our commitment towards providing students with a well-rounded college experience.
Every academic year begins with the Orientation Week welcoming the newly admitted cohort of students. Our esteemed guests, dedicated faculty members and alumni share their valuable insights and experiences. The orientation week is followed by "Fiesta”--a cultural evening, organized by the Student Council–to bond over engaging activities and captivating performances.
Our unwavering dedication to intellectual exploration and curiosity is showcased through innovative initiatives like the Open Space: Lecture Series—platform to engage with groundbreaking ideas that transcend the traditional curriculum. This unique series provides students with a platform to interact with distinguished subject experts from academia and industry.
The Millennium Fellowship at JDSoLA is a prestigious semester-long leadership development program partnering with the Millennium Campus Network. Through the fellowship, undergraduate students are provided with resources, mentorship, and support to implement projects that address various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations.
TEDxNMIMS is a major event proudly hosted by JDSoLA. With a commitment to sparking intellectual curiosity and fostering meaningful dialogue, TEDxNMIMS brings together a diverse array of speakers and attendees to explore innovative ideas and inspire change. TEDxNMIMS embodies our university’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and creating a community of learners and innovators.
At JDSoLA, we emphasize on striking a harmonious balance between work and recreation for an overall growth. A myriad of student-led clubs cover a wide spectrum of interests from film and dance to psychology and literature.
The Psychology Club regularly organizes sessions and workshops on mental health, stress management, resilience building and personality development programmes.
A workshop on ‘Substance Abuse Awareness’ at JDSoLA
The Literary and Cultural Club organizes year-round events for students to attend various Lit. Festivals, ‘Meet-the-Author’ and cultural immersion programmes.
Students of Literature and Cultural Studies visiting the American Consulate and Library, Mumbai during the International Black History Month
Students with faculties in one of the cultural immersion activities during Durga Puja.
The Music Club organizes practice workshops and lectures conducted by experts and scholars on world music.
The Poetry Club hosts workshops with poets, celebrates the World Poetry Day and the International Mother Tongue Day every year bringing the incredible linguistic diversity of India to JDSoLA.
The Sports Club brings all the sports enthusiasts through games and sports throughout the year and also hosts the Annual Sports Day.
PaperPlanes is the annual cultural fest of JDSoLA offering an exhilarating platform for students to showcase their diverse skills and passions. From electrifying performances and captivating competitions to insightful workshops and interactive activities, the fest buzzes with energy and enthusiasm.
Our students showcase their academic grit and scholarship in the research journal "Emerging Scholars”, Journal of Undergraduate Research and the podcast Picture Abhi Baaki Hai. These platforms provide students with an opportunity to immerse themselves in a culture of intellectual inquiry and collaboration.
