World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day, observed annually on 10 October, highlights the importance of mental well-being and encourages supportive environments where emotions can be acknowledged and discussed openly. To commemorate World Mental Health Day 2026, the Centre for Counselling and Health Services (CCHS) at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, organised two engaging activities, “Zentangle & Unwind” and “Words That Lift,” promoting emotional well-being through creativity, reflection, mindfulness, and meaningful connections.

The initiative aimed to make mental health awareness accessible and participatory, encouraging students and faculty to pause amid their daily routines and prioritise their emotional well-being. Through these activities, CCHS sought to nurture a campus culture grounded in empathy, kindness, self-awareness, and supportive conversations about mental health.

Highlights of the Activities

Zentangle & Unwind: Finding Calm Through Creativity

“Zentangle & Unwind” invited students and faculty to explore mindful creativity through patterns, lines, and artistic expression. The activity offered a relaxed, non-judgmental space for participants to slow down, focus on the present moment, and reconnect with themselves.

Through repetitive patterns and creative exploration, participants were encouraged to temporarily step away from everyday stressors and experience the calming potential of art. The activity emphasised that mindfulness need not involve elaborate practices; simple activities such as drawing can create opportunities to pause, reflect, and restore a sense of calm. It also reinforced that artistic expression is about personal exploration rather than perfection, allowing participants to engage creatively without the pressure of producing a finished masterpiece.

Words That Lift: Spreading Kindness Through Words

“Words That Lift” featured an interactive affirmation wall where participants shared messages of encouragement, hope, appreciation, kindness, and support. They were invited to write thoughtful messages for themselves, their friends, or anyone who might need reassurance.

The activity transformed simple words into meaningful gestures of connection, highlighting how a small message can brighten someone's day and help them feel acknowledged and valued. By creating a shared space for positive affirmations, the initiative encouraged self-compassion, gratitude, and belonging within the university community.

Together, these activities highlighted two complementary dimensions of mental well-being: nurturing oneself and extending kindness to others. They demonstrated how everyday practices involving creativity and positive communication can make mental health awareness more approachable while strengthening interpersonal connections.

Through reflection and thoughtful expression, CCHS created opportunities for students and faculty to acknowledge their emotions, appreciate themselves, and connect meaningfully with others. Such initiatives can help normalise conversations about mental health, challenge stigma, and reinforce the importance of emotional well-being in everyday life.

This event through various activities like  the “Zentangle & Unwind” and “Words That Lift,” CCHS commemorated World Mental Health Day 2026 by promoting mindfulness, creativity, kindness, and connection. The initiative reinforced a simple yet meaningful message: caring for mental health begins with small moments of self-awareness, compassionate expression, and support for one another. By integrating these practices into campus life, the activities encouraged a more mindful, empathetic, and emotionally supportive university community.