Understanding the Mental Health Landscape of South Asia: How Active Listening can Help Save Lives

According to a 2023 study co-led by researchers from Harvard Medical School one out of every two people in the world will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime, that is, half of the world’s population.

Join us as we discuss the urgent need for raising awareness about mental health in the South Asian community. Through thoughtful exercises, we will discuss the multifaceted factors that contribute to suicide, emphasizing that it is never attributed to a single cause. Gain insights into the underlying issues that affect individuals and uncover the profound impact of becoming a better listener, a skill that could potentially save lives.

● About the Guest Speaker:

» Sachin Chitambaran is the President of Befrienders India, an umbrella organization that supports 14 emotional support and suicide prevention helplines across the country. He is also the Assistant Director of Training and Development at The Samaritans Mumbai, the first international branch of Samaritans UK, and the Founder of The Connect Hut. With over 14 years of experience, Sachin is a seasoned expert in emotional support and suicide intervention.

● About the Moderator:

» Sania Saeed is a Research Assistant at The Connect Hut, where she focuses on researching and evaluating mental health initiatives in India and Pakistan. Sania is also a trained active listener who has worked with Umang, Pakistan’s only mental health helpline partnered with Google to provide emotional support to callers.