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Disha Counseling Center, Mumbai, hosted the launch of Mind the Gap: Decoding the

Disha Counseling Center Mumbai Launches ‘Mind the Gap’ Book on Youth Mental Health Challenges by Samindara Hardikar-Sawant and Anuradha Satyanarayana-Prabhudesai

Mental Health Challenges for Today’s Youth, authored by Ms. Samindara Hardikar-Sawant and Ms. Anuradha Satyanarayana-Prabhudesai, at Hotel Suba International, Andheri East, Mumbai.

The event brought together mental health professionals, educators, parents and young people for meaningful conversations on youth mental health, the challenges of growing up in today’s world, and the importance of bridging the gap between generations..

The programme commenced with a welcome address and the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, followed by an introduction to the authors. An engaging author tête-à-tête offered insights into the inspiration behind the book, the ideas explored in its chapters, and the changing realities of growing up in contemporary society.

The authors reflected on the need to understand the emotional and psychological experiences of young people and create spaces for open conversations. The session concluded with a lively rapid-fire round with the authors that added an engaging touch to the discussion.
Ms. Sukanya Ray, Assistant Professor at the School of Human Ecology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), and Guest of Honour, addressed the gathering, sharing her perspectives on the book’s themes and their relevance in the current context, highlighting the importance of engaging with the mental health concerns of young people. Following the address, the book was formally launched, marking an important step towards encouraging conversations around the emotional well-being of young people and fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges they navigate.

A key highlight of the event was the Book Reading Circle, an interactive session moderated by the authors. The panel comprised Dr. Prajakta Patkar, Psychiatrist at Nair Hospital and Disha Counseling Center; Ms. Mugdha Bavare, Founder of Minds Sports and Co-Founder of Disha Counseling Center; Prof. Archana Bhide, Assistant Professor and Head of Department at Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College; and Ms. Janhavi Samant, Parent and Marketing and Communications Professional. Moving beyond a conventional panel discussion, the reading circle invited each panelist to read a passage from one of the book’s chapters and share their interpretations, opinions and reflections.

The authors then posed questions related to the themes explored, encouraging a multidimensional discussion informed by clinical, psychological, educational and parental perspectives. The format allowed the audience to engage with the book’s ideas through diverse professional and personal viewpoints.

Another significant segment, “Voices of the Youth: A Peek into Their Inner World” brought Gen Z voices to the forefront of the conversation. Ira Prabhudesai, Aryaveer Sawant, Aarav Sipani and Jiza Tipnis participated in an interactive discussion, reading passages from the book that resonated with them and sharing their thoughts on the issues raised. They also responded to questions about the challenges faced by their generation, offering thoughtful and articulate perspectives on their experiences, concerns and aspirations.

The session underscored the importance of listening directly to young people and understanding their realities through their own voices. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, followed by networking and high tea, providing attendees with an opportunity to continue the conversations initiated during the event.

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