Chennai Trust Launches Mental Health Workshops for College Students

A significant initiative aimed at addressing mental health challenges among college students has emerged from Chennai. The Dhruti Charitable Trust, a non-profit organization established in 2024, is conducting free mental health workshops in colleges across the city. These workshops provide students with the opportunity to engage with professional counsellors and offer a dedicated helpline for those in need of immediate support.

The inspiration for this initiative came from Ramji Venkatachari, the Trust’s founder and a non-resident Indian. During a semester spent as a researcher at the Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, he observed troubling behaviours among students enrolled in a B.Sc. Rural Agriculture program. Many students exhibited signs of distress, including unexplained emotional outbursts and frustration expressed through aggression.

“I noticed that some students would cry for no reason,” Ramji recalled. “This raised questions about their mental well-being.” His observations led him to conduct surveys in various colleges, which confirmed the urgent need for mental health services among students.

Now, the Trust is actively engaged with 30 colleges in Chennai, including both arts and science institutions as well as engineering colleges. “We are scheduled for 50 sessions between August and September,” Ramji noted. Each session lasts over an hour and is led by qualified professionals who facilitate interactive discussions aimed at promoting mental well-being.

In addition to the workshops, the Trust is committed to establishing peer support groups within colleges. “We plan to select five to six students from each institution, train them to lead mental well-being sessions, and create a supportive community,” Ramji explained. This pilot program will initially launch in five colleges, including Asan Memorial College and Bharat University, with plans for expansion based on its success.

The workshops not only provide a platform for students to discuss their mental health challenges openly but also aim to destigmatize the topic within educational environments. “Having a helpline number available ensures that students have access to professional help confidentially and conveniently,” Ramji added.

As the Trust continues its outreach, it aims to make a lasting impact on the mental health landscape of Chennai’s educational institutions. For more information about their programs, interested individuals can visit the Trust’s website at https://dhrutitrust.org.

Through this initiative, the Dhruti Charitable Trust is paving the way for a more supportive and understanding environment for students, allowing them to thrive both academically and emotionally as they navigate the challenges of college life.