Hello Mumbai City Desk
Ask a Question. Save a Life.
Suicide Prevention Month initiative brings lived experiences and mental health experts together in Mumbai
As part of Suicide Prevention Month, a panel discussion and awareness seminar titled “Change the Narrative on Suicide – Ask a Question. Save a Life.” was held on September 3 at the College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan, Churchgate, Mumbai, bringing together mental health professionals and individuals with lived experience to encourage conversations around mental health, suicide prevention and timely support.
The programme, “Change the Narrative on Suicide – Ask a Question. Save a Life,” was organised by Deepjyoti India Foundation, The Connect Hut, Ankahee, Color Positive and WICCI – Holistic Child Development Council, Maharashtra, with the support of Nirmala Niketan.
The initiative focused on creating a space where conversations around suicide could move beyond stigma and silence. Through expert insights and personal experiences, the programme highlighted the importance of listening without judgement, recognising signs of emotional distress and helping individuals access appropriate support.
A distinctive feature of the programme was the Lived Experience Panel, which brought together Kaynaat Khan, Yogi Rani, Dishank Tak, Rashmi Sundaram and Sunny Rodgers. The panel offered personal perspectives on resilience, identity, mental health, challenges and hope.
The Suicide Prevention Awareness Panel featured Sachin Chitambaran, Co-Founder, Ankahee and Founder, The Connect Hut; Mona Doctor, Integrated Wellbeing Consultant and Co-Founder, The Integral Space; and Dr. Seetharaman Iyer, Consultant Psychiatrist and Chief Consultant, UANA Mind Wellness Center. Lisa Pais, Counselling Psychologist, moderated the expert panel, while Anupama Kotiankar, mental health professional and counsellor, moderated the lived-experience panel.
The discussions emphasised that suicide prevention requires more than awareness—it requires conversations, connection and access to the right support. Participants explored how families, friends, educators, workplaces and communities can create safer environments where people feel able to speak about what they are experiencing.
The programme also highlighted the importance of asking difficult questions with care rather than avoiding conversations out of fear or discomfort. The central message of the initiative, “Ask a Question. Save a Life,” encouraged participants to recognise that a simple, compassionate conversation can be an important first step towards support.
The event brought together professionals, young people, community members and organisations working towards greater mental health awareness and suicide prevention, reinforcing the need for continued dialogue and collaborative action beyond Suicide Prevention Month.
The message was clear: conversations that care can help create minds and communities that heal.
