‘WELLNESS in a Box’ initiative of Rita Aggarwal, well-known psychologist of city, has got international recognition, as Rotary International has chosen the project of Rotary Club District 3030 for ‘Rotary People of Action: Champions of Impact’ award. Aggarwal is one among the six Rotarians whose projects have been shortlisted across the globe for their efforts to address initiatives aimed at transforming the society. For Aggarwal, her pioneering work in addressing stress level and mental health issues among school children and, at the same time, launching initiative for mental health literacy in India was unanimously chosen for the international award. The award is going to be presented during the Rotary International convention to be held at Singapore in the month of May, said Aggarwal while talking to ‘The Hitavada’. She served as the Project Chair for her initiative ‘Wellness in a Box’. Since 1992, Aggarwal has devoted herself to the mental health needs of young students in the country. The project supported a number of students who showed signs of anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems. The Rotary initiative helped them successfully manage their struggles. ‘Wellness in a Box’ is part of The Mental Health Initiatives Rotary Action Group which has also created curriculums for 14- year-olds to strengthen awareness on depression.

 

At the same time, it is also providing solutions to cope with the stigma surrounding mental health, which is still a taboo in the Indian society. The programme also educates teachers in counselling skills and has established sites for facilitating field work. The main objective of the project ‘Wellness in a Box’ is to bring a change in the existing mindset by creating awareness and building a curriculum for training students, parents and teachers to counter the stigma that surrounds mental health. To date, through the initiative, nearly 2,200+ students and 2,000 parents and faculty members have been sanitised in the ‘Break Free from Depression’ curriculum. Aggarwal has credited the success of the programme to her entire team. She said, the announcement of the award would help further strengthen the ‘Wellness in Box’ initiative at ground level. Gordon R McInally, Rotary International President, applauded the six Rotarians picked globally in recognition for their unique initiatives which have wide ranging impact on the society. He further said that these six individuals have taken extraordinary steps to have a positive impact on the lives of individuals, communities or systems. “An investment in mental health and environment initiatives upholds our human rights and promises a more equitable and prosperous future.

 

This is more than just a one-year commitment from our organisation, it is ingrained in our values,” stated a communiqué from Rotary India. In India, nearly 50 million children suffer from mental disorders. According to The State of theWorld's Children 2021 survey, around 14 per cent of 15 to 24-year-olds in India, or 1 in 7, report experiencing depression or having minimum interest in doing regular activities as part of their lives. Rotary members develop and implement sustainable projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. Over $5.3 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation to support these programmes worldwide. Rotary International, one of the largest volunteer-led, non-profit organisations, committed to delivering impactful and lasting solutions to the most-pressing humanitarian challenges, is recognising volunteers working on issues related to promoting mental health and helping indigenous young people increase their economic opportunities.