DD Correspondent
Srinagar, Marking World Mental Health Day, the JK Centre for Peace and Justice Foundation (JKCPJ) organised Chapter 7 of its community-based initiative, Let’s Connect, at Bagh-e-Shagufa, Nigeen, Srinagar, bringing young people together for a day centred on mental well-being, meaningful conversations, and human connection.The gathering aimed to highlight the importance of creating safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental spaces where young people can express themselves, share experiences, and feel heard.
In a world where conversations around mental health are increasingly necessary, the initiative emphasised that emotional well-being is not merely an individual responsibility but also a collective one, shaped by the communities and relationships we build.Observed globally on October 10, World Mental Health Day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and encourage conversations around mental health. Through Let’s Connect, JKCPJ seeks to take this conversation beyond a single day by creating opportunities for young people to connect with themselves and others in an environment rooted in empathy, trust, and mutual understanding.
Speaking on the occasion, Nadir Ali, Director of JKCPJ, highlighted the importance of building communities where mental well-being is treated as an everyday priority rather than an occasional conversation.“Mental health cannot be addressed through awareness alone; we must also create spaces where people feel safe enough to speak, listen, and be themselves without the fear of judgment.
Through Let’s Connect, we want to remind young people that they do not have to navigate every challenge alone. Sometimes, a meaningful conversation and the feeling of being understood can be an important first step towards seeking support,” Ali said.Reflecting on the experience, Aleefa, a participant, spoke about the value of having a space where individuals can express themselves freely.“We often ask people how they are doing, but we rarely pause to understand what they might actually be going through. Spaces like Let’s Connect give us the opportunity to speak without feeling judged and to listen without feeling the need to have all the answers.
It reminds us that our feelings matter and that being heard can make a difference,” Aleefa said.Fadil, another participant, emphasised the importance of human connection in conversations around mental well-being.“In our everyday lives, we sometimes get so caught up in our own routines that we forget the importance of simply being present for one another. Let’s Connect reminds us that we do not always need to offer solutions or advice; sometimes, listening, understanding, and making someone feel less alone is enough to begin with,” Fadil said.Let’s Connect is a community initiative of JKCPJ designed to bring people together through conversations, creative engagement, reflection, and peer connection.
The initiative seeks to encourage emotional awareness, strengthen interpersonal relationships, and foster a culture in which seeking support is viewed without stigma.With Chapter 7, the initiative continued its effort to establish spaces where mental well-being is approached through everyday acts of listening, empathy, and understanding. The gathering at Bagh-e-Shagufa served as a reminder that while World Mental Health Day provides an important moment to reflect, the responsibility to care for mental well-being extends throughout the year.