Dr. Nabhit Kapur, Peacful Mind

I did my studies in mental health and since school actually, and I wanted to start something in mental health, but I was, you know, working here and there, just like a normal graduate. But then, after my higher education, I wanted to start something like an institution where I can train people, guide people towards mental health and challenge the stigma.

So my inspiration was seeing that neglected area and that made me start this institution. And obviously, it’s a very tough journey because mental health is something which is considered secondary health. So, bringing it to mainstream health – it is quite difficult, but we are going, and we are very happy with our work. We have inaugurated different institutions under the organization Peacful Minds, and we are collaborating with these institutions to orient people about mental health from the grassroots level to the topmost levels of the government.

I’ll be very honest. I have not yet reached a milestone. I am still doing it. But, individually, if you say, as for myself, yes, I have received a number of awards internationally for my work in well-being diplomacy, especially for training political leaders on how well-being is an important aspect of diplomacy.

So I hope to get, hope to see that milestone soon. I’m very hopeful. I am waiting for that moment to come, but we are working every day and knocking on every door every day. It’s quite challenging. The journey becomes memorable, actually, rather than the result.

At Peacful Mind, we have different segments. We have for youth, we have for politicians, we have a training department, and we have a counselling department. The Global Youth Mental Health Forum is specifically focused on youth mental health, and we conduct forums daily.

Youth, specifically today, actually understand mental health, and to be very honest, we have seen changes in mental health. We have seen more people coming out and speaking about mental health, specifically the youth. So now we want to sensitize it even more at the grassroots level, where people can come up and speak. Rather than just hiding it or, you know, speaking to one or two people, just normally, if you can speak out to a problem, your problem in front of 20, 30 people also might be somebody would be going through the same thing. So, you know, you share your own solutions and your problems, and you become aware of them. That is our goal.

We tend to collaborate with international institutions and the global youth mental health forum, and we are definitely planning to do a physical forum someday. Let’s hope for the best—maybe this year. So where the youth comes in, we use many stress management techniques, analyze mental health disorders, and learn psychological first aid.

What happens in the SDGs is that we focus on SDG 3, which is health and well-being. In my opinion, sustainable development in health care is generally a part of mental health. And how I am bringing mental health to policymaking is very different. I want leaders specifically who frame all this, you know, to understand that whatever policy or law or anything that you put on the paper is generally going to affect the mental health of people.

So we need to understand and accustom ourselves to the needs of the people to make it more sustainable. Sustainability in healthcare will only come through once we understand what the needs of the people and the community at large are. So, that is how I understand sustainability, and sustainability is not only, you know, you give me this, and I give you that. That’s not sustainable. Sustainability is something that penetrates through the generations. That is how sustainability can be achieved from the top to the bottom. So that is my understanding of sustainability, and that is why I created these platforms, you know, where anybody in the society can join us.

That’s a question everybody asks me. So to the youth, I always say:

• Just be consistent.
• Do not lose hope, please. I mean, there are a number of troubles you’re going to face in life. Nothing is perfect, and stop being perfect.
• Take care of your mental health, take care of yourself, and take care of the people who you are close with.
• Always be a child inside your heart. That will make everything very easy.
• And be a learner.

So, I have always applied these five or six things to my life. That is why I’m saying it. Be a child in your heart. Always be hopeful. You will sail through. And that is not going to be a problem. So, so this is the motive of my life.

Website: peacfulmind.org

Thank you, Dr. Kapur, for sharing your insights on the Peacful Mind Foundation and its mission to promote mental health and peace. For more information about the organization and the Global Youth Mental Health Forum.