Mann Mela is a
web museum of young people's
mental health
stories from
across India


web museum of

mental health
stories

We bring you nine young people’s mental health stories from across India that give you a glimpse into their personal experiences related to breaking stigma, finding support and recovery.
Our multi-media stories have been created collaboratively by each storyteller along with a team of artists and designers.

Each story is told using an art and technology-assisted exhibit, enabling you to interact with their world as they travel through their journey of finding hope, identity, meaning and empowerment.

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Stories

Hiren's Story

Kehkasha's Story

5-10 min read

5-10 min read

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i, I am Kehkasha. As a 21-year-old Muslim woman in India, I feel torn between different identities. Here is my story about where I come from and where I am going, my path of change finding my own identity, one I am comfortable with.

Hiren's Story

Namarita's Story

5-10 min read

5-10 min read

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i, I'm Namarita. I believe that the right support system can be a lifesaver. Growing up, my mother had a chronic and complicated mental disorder called schizophrenia. I struggled to play many roles, a child, a carer, and a student. But, my life began to change when I was able to begin to ask for help. I shared things that were worrying me with others, started journaling and writing, and a world of support opened up for me.

Hiren's Story

Monica's Story

5-10 min read

5-10 min read

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i I'm Monica, I'm sharing my story with you because the biggest lesson I learned is that the stigma of asking for help is real. But, help is right here and all you or I have to do is to reach out to that one person who sees us and will listen. We can rebuild ourselves because there is space for growth, hope, and endless support.

Hiren's Story

Anjali's Story

5-10 min read

6-10 min read

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i I'm Anjali. I want girls to stop feeling that no one will listen to us just because we are girls. Growing up a woman in my community can be very hard attimes because there are so many things that are not talked about. Here's my story.

Hiren's Story

Sam's Story

5-10 min read

6-10 min read

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i I am Sam. I was brought up by my grandmother, as I was separated from my parents as an infant. I want you to read my story because I want people to know that you as an individual can create your life and change the patterns you learnt as a child in order to be self-reliant.

Hiren's Story

Vidushi's Story

5-10 min read

6-10 min read

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i, I’m Vidushi Karnatic from Haldwani. I struggled with a mental illness and made a full recovery. I’m telling you my story because the hardest part of my journey wasn’t the mental illness itself, it was the stigma I faced because of it.

Hiren's Story

Pavel's Story

5-10 min read

6-10 min read

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i, I'm Pavel Sagolsem. I was born male and assigned that gender at birth, but quickly realized that something didn't feel right. I'd like you to read my story to understand my experience becoming a 'non-binary' individual, neither male nor female, and the importance of not seeing the world in binaries.

Hiren's Story

Tarini's Story

5-10 min read

6-10 min read

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i, I’m Tarini Chawla from Chandigarh. I had a picture of how I wanted my life to look, but more often things don’t turn out that way and the picture changes, but hey, I realized that that’s actually a positive thing!

Hiren's Story

Sadam's Story

5-10 min read

5-10 min read

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i, I'm Sadam Hanjabam from Manipur. My struggle with accepting myself and fear of not being accepted by others almost cost me my life twice. I want to share my story because it's so important to have spaces where you can be honest, express yourself and feel vulnerable.

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Learning Resources

Managing selfharm

Understand what self-harm is and ways to support yourself or others

Drugs and alcohol

Learn about the signs of abuse and overuse, and how you can manage them

Understanding suicide

Explore different ways to help yourself stay safe if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts

Prevent suicide

Learn how to help someone experiencing suicidal thoughts

Understanding trauma

Understand trauma, its impacts and some strategies on how to help yourself

Mind and body are one system

Learn some practical tips to caring for your body and mind

My mental health starts with me

Learn some practical techniques that can help you manage your mental health

Coping with anxiety

Understand the causes of anxiety and practical tips to manage it better

Dealing with depression

Understand the causes of depression and practical tips to manage it better

Sex, gender & sexuality

Understand the links between sex, gender, sexuality and our mental health
Get help now
We all experience low points at different times in our lives and it’s not unusual to feel sad, anxious or stressed especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Sangath’s tele-counselling services offer free phone-based counselling for frontline workers and young people in need of psychological support.
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011-41198666
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