Abhyas · Mental Well-being for All · World Mental Health Day

Lived
Experiences

Heard

Real voices, real change — a movement to listen, to honour every story, and to build a society where mental well-being is a shared responsibility.

What this year’s theme
asks of us

The world marks World Mental Health Day on 10 October. Abhyas is observing it with a public gathering on Sunday 11 October under the global theme Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.

Being heard is the first step. This year’s campaign asks us to go further: to treat the knowledge of people who have lived with mental health challenges as real expertise, and to build services and policies with them, not just for them.

In Mauritius, that starts with us.

45%

of responding countries report ongoing collaboration with people with lived experience, and with family and caregiver groups, in planning, delivering or monitoring services.

9%

of countries have fully moved from institution-based to community-based mental health care.

Abhyas Event Schedule

Time	Session	By
2:00PM	Exhibition opens	Mauritius Wildlife Foundation, University of Technology Mauritius, Rishilok
2:15PM	Opening and lamp lighting	Abhyas
2:20PM	Musical interlude	IGCIC students
2:25PM	Address on the 2026 theme	UNDP Resident Coordinator
Part IEach one is unique
2:40PM	Each one is unique	Delphine Toulet, on people with lived experience
2:47PM	Performance on celebrating our uniqueness	Children Foundation students
Part IIIntegrating lived experiences
2:55PM	Address	Hon. Babooram Anishta, Junior Minister of Health & Wellness
3:05PM	DocumentaryCreated by Them
3:10PM	Managing Emotions	Prof. Dr Basseer Jeeawody, Emotional Well-being Institute, Geneva
3:20PM	Drama, Lost in Translation	Cloud 9 group
3:40PM	How we are shaped and why we become limited	Dr Manish Putteeraj, UTM
3:50PM	Shifting the narrative	Mridula Chooromoney, World Islands Cultural & Tourism Ambassador 2026
4:05PM	DocumentaryChain Reaction: A Community in Need
4:10PM	Hold my hand	SWCD students
4:15PM	Felicitation of performance groups
Part IIIComing back to self
4:25PM	Song of Neurons	IGCIC students
4:35PM	Silence observation (guided)
4:40PM	Address	DHC of India
4:47PM	Felicitation of guests, Abhyas members and volunteers
5:00PM	Vote of thanks, followed by Sattvic lunch

Three ways to act

Listen

Join us on 11 October and hear from people with lived experience, professionals and leaders in one room.

Include

Invite a person with lived experience onto one committee, policy review or programme in your school, workplace or organisation.

Tell your story, only if you want to, and anonymously if you prefer.

Turning insights into action

Voices activated, change set in motion

As an official partner of the movement, Abhyas activated the theme with its growing community and team members. Around the four pillars — awareness, compassion, resilience, and holistic care — experts were invited from all segments of the nation.

Representatives from the High Commission, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, corporates, universities, schools, women and child welfare, special education needs, faith-based organisations, media, and non-profits joined — bringing diverse perspectives and a common voice: a willingness to turn insights into action.

I am interested in

Tell us how you’d like to carry “lived experiences heard” forward. We’ll connect you with the right circle at Abhyas — and walk the path with you.

· In partnership with IGCIC — ICCR in Mauritius
· Aligned with World Mental Health Day
· A movement, not a moment

Ways to observe

Ways to observe the day

Four ways to carry the theme forward — click a tile to connect with Abhyas and begin.

Education & Awareness

Organize talks, school activities, or public campaigns to promote understanding and break the silence around mental health.

Community Engagement

Launch initiatives such as support circles, mentoring programs, or listening groups that foster connection and resilience.

Cultures and Expression

Host art exhibits, performances, or storytelling events that celebrate lived experiences and diverse voices.

Service & Reconciliation

Participate in community service, peer support, or volunteer efforts that build bridges and restore dignity.

Where it began · 2025

A landmark
moment that
started it all

In 2025, Mauritius witnessed a landmark gathering on mental health, organized by the Abhyas Institute of Universal Awareness in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC — ICCR in Mauritius).

Held in observance of World Mental Health Day and aligned with the United Nations 2025 theme — “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies” — the “Mental Well-Being for All” Conference brought together policymakers, thought leaders, educators, spiritual guides, healthcare professionals, youth, and civil society to champion holistic mental well-being.

That gathering is the foundation on which this year’s theme — “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change” — now builds: turning the insights of 2025 into a movement that listens, honours every story, and acts.

2025

Where it began

Voices on stage

Now

Real voices, real change

Real voices

Lived experiences,

heard.

The voices that shaped the 2025 gathering still echo. From the stage to the page, here are the words of those who spoke — the foundation on which this year’s call for “real voices, real change” now stands.

”

Mental health is a matter of both public awareness and national policy. Continued dialogue and knowledge sharing must be compiled and shared to benefit citizens and policymakers alike.

H.E. Mr. Dharambeer Gokhool, G.C.S.K.
President of the Republic of Mauritius

”

Mental health is a universal right. Through awareness, action, and compassion, every mind can be cared for and every community can thrive.

H.E. Shri Anurag Srivastava
High Commissioner of India to Mauritius

More voices from the floor

“The mind-body connection is real. Daily moments of self-reflection and mindfulness build the resilience that powers both individuals and a productive society.”

Hon. Mrs. Jyoti Jeetun
Minister of Financial Services & Economic Planning

“Understanding brain health and reducing stigma go hand in hand. Combining science and tradition, we can build a stronger, healthier, more resilient society.”

Hon. Babooram Anisha
Junior Minister of Health & Wellness

“Leadership in mental well-being is about everyday actions — listening, caring, and empowering others. Through compassion and collective action, lasting well-being is created.”

Dr. Geeta Devi Dockity
Ministry of Health & Wellness

“Mindful self-connection and conscious living are vital for emotional well-being. Parents are a child’s first emotional guides — grounding and nurture matter more than ever.”

Dr. Anjali Boyramboli
University of Mauritius

“True mental resilience comes from connecting with one’s inner self and practising selfless service. Compassion and self-knowledge transform suffering into growth.”

Swami Yogeshanandra
Mata Amritanandamayi Math

“Mental health care belongs to detainees and officers alike — restoring dignity, hope, and resilience through multidisciplinary support and reintegration.”

Mr. Mahesh Ramassur
Chief Prisons Welfare Officer

Moments

Moments of the gathering

Exhibitors

Our exhibitors

Middlesex University Mauritius

University of Mauritius

Arya Sabha SEN Schools

Abhyas School of Yoga

ADSP

Children's Foundation

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Collaborators & partners

A movement built together

Abhyas is an official partner of the global mental well-being movement — working alongside institutions that share the commitment to real voices and real change.

Abhyas Institute of Universal Awareness

IGCIC — ICCR Mauritius

High Commission of India

Ministry of Health & Wellness

Ministry of Education

SEN Academy

Lived
Experiences

What this year’s theme
asks of us

45%

9%

Abhyas Event Schedule