Delhi NGO holds Cyclothon ahead of world mental health day

Delhi: NGO ADRA India and V4A Cycling & Running Club held a cycle rally called Cyclothon in Delhi to spread awareness of mental health. The 30 km rally was part of the campaigns ahead of World Mental Health Day observed on October 10.

This year's WHO theme is 'make mental health for all a global priority'.

Around 30 participants from different walks of life took part in the rally. It was followed by an interactive session by Carl Wilkens, Humanitarian Aid Worker, Storyteller and International Speaker, reported NDTV.

He spoke of his experience of living in Rwanda in 1994 during the genocide. Speaking about the society rebuilt after the harrowing experience, he said: "It has really inspired me to examine how the brain works. Neural plasticity says that we can change our brains simply by the choices we make. Simple practices such as keeping a gratitude journal can move us in a direction of healing."

Syed Asim, Founder of V4A Cycling & Running Club, said the goal is to align mental fitness to destressing and rewiring the brain through group fitness activities. "I hope the Cyclothon will not only create awareness about the important topic but the participants will also inculcate this learning in their lives."

Weston Davis, Country Director of ADRA India, said people should aspire to apply lessons from the past to our modern way of thinking and learn to love in a more complete way. "Thinking in this new way will improve our complete mental health."

The pandemic has increased the number of organisations and helplines set up for taking care of mental health. The number of people openly reaching out for help also increased dramatically in two years. The issue still remains taboo due to a lack of awareness. Societal discrimination is one of the major reasons people stay silent about their state of mind.