Minu Budhia is a woman on a mission, a rather big one — to normalise conversation on mental health; to make it fashionable. She has completed a decade chasing this end goal with her mental health institute Caring Minds, and as part of the 10-year celebration, has introduced a new project LovvYouZindagi, a fest on happiness and mental health that aims to engage young minds in a number of creative competitions. A tete-a-tete with the spirited lady before the project kicks off.
The 10th-year celebrations of Caring Minds already saw a book launch, two new courses at Jadavpur University and Suffer to Safar initiative at Kolkata airport. What is it that made you come up with LovvYouZindagi?
There were a couple of factors. One, every day I would read in the newspapers about the youth committing suicide and being distressed. I feel bad that they are not happy despite having more than what we had. I realised that the stigma is still there regarding counselling. So I wanted to touch these young minds and involve them in some creative work that would also create an awareness on mental health and other neurological disorders. I don’t want them to engage in a serious way rather do it in a fun way. It’s important for young people to perceive their own minds first and then touch others’ minds and remove the stigma related to depression, anxiety and other issues. If they will engage then only the conversation will get normalised. It is a drop in the ocean but every drop counts.
Are you targeting only young minds with LovvYouZindagi?
At the moment, yes. There are two groups — classes IX to XII and young professionals from the age group of 18-30. I think to start with it’s enough. Maybe later we could increase the bandwidth.
And is it only for Kolkata?
To start with it’s limited to Kolkata but we can surely make it a pan-India thing in the coming years.
What are your expectations from LovvYouZindagi?
I want it to become an annual event of Caring Minds so that even if I am not there it keeps engaging young minds year after year.
The name is so catchy. It reminds us of the film Dear Zindagi.
Yes, that movie was also for young minds and this is also for young people to take control of their lives.
Caring Minds is 10 years old now. How does it feel and what were the high points in the last decade of your journey?
Today, over 10 years, Caring Minds has touched over 2.5 million lives. When I wanted to start, almost everyone I consulted said “Don’t do it, it will not work”. Even the doctors I spoke to said the same thing. People have already discouraged me, as usual, for LovvYouZindagi as well. I am a very determined person. If it works fine and if not then we will do something else. The fear of failing doesn’t keep me from trying. In fact, I get pumped up when people give me negative feedback.
From what I started to what I am now has been a big journey; we have come a long way. Caring Mind’s self-reference has increased a lot. The stigma has been removed a lot but there’s still a long way. I want people to talk about mental health in a normal way. Just like they discuss skin care and ask who your dermatologist is, I want them to ask about who is your psychologist and counsellor. I want to make mental health fashionable and a cocktail conversation. Why hide so much? We all have suffered so much. People tell me how I talk so openly about my personal mental health. I do it because I have suffered and it’s only when we will talk that things will change. Somebody has to talk so let me be that person. We are a family with a mission.
When will the finals of LuvvYouZindagi happen?
The first round will be in-house and then the final will be through celebrity judges. Finals will be held on World Mental Heath Awareness Day, October 10, just before Puja. It will be a gala event. It will be a big recognition for all talented youths out there who just need a platform to showcase their creativity.
What’s in store for the winners?
I want to keep it a surprise.
Are there any other plans for the 10th year?
My biggest target is to get a fully independent facility for Caring Minds just like we have one for ICanFlyy. We have just two floors here and there is a space crunch. So that it becomes a mental health clinic. Also, we made one of our dreams come true with Suffer to Safar, a sensitisation workshop at Kolkata Airport, wherein I trained airport officials about the needs of special travellers. It’s my aim to do it in airports across India. Talks are going on and I want to start with North East as it’s also a virgin area in terms of mental health. There’s total ignorance.
Pictures: Rashbehari Das