Mental Health Club

The Mental Health Club of Bishop Vayalil Memorial Holy Cross College organized the World Mental Health Day observance on 10 October 2025. The event focused on the theme ‘Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.’ The program aimed to raise awareness about the importance of accessible mental health services during crises and emergencies. Mrs. Reeni P Elias, a renowned Psycho-Social School Counsellor, served as the Chief Guest and addressed the students on the importance of psychological well-being and resilience. The session encouraged open dialogue on reducing stigma associated with mental health issues and promoted empathy and care among the student community. The event concluded with an interactive discussion and reflection, reinforcing the importance of early intervention and support in maintaining mental health.

The Department of Social Work in association with the Mental Health Club of Bishop Vayalil Memorial Holy Cross College, Cherpunkal, organized an awareness talk on the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day on 24th September 2025 at St. Geneius Theatre. The programme was titled “Memory Matters: Alzheimer’s Awareness” and aimed to spread knowledge about the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on individuals, families, and society. The event was graced by the presence of Dr. Raju D Krishnapuram, General Secretary of Dementia Care, Pala, who served as the keynote speaker. Faculty coordinators, students, and invited guests actively participated in the programme, making it an engaging and enlightening experience.

In his address, Dr. Raju D Krishnapuram highlighted the urgent need to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, its symptoms, causes, and risk factors. He explained how dementia is often misunderstood as a part of normal ageing and emphasized the importance of early detection and supportive care. The speaker also shed light on the psychosocial challenges faced by caregivers and families, stressing the role of community support, social work, and healthcare professionals in addressing the issue. The session provided practical insights into memory care, prevention strategies, and the importance of empathy in dealing with individuals living with dementia.

The event concluded with an interactive discussion session where participants shared their thoughts and clarified doubts regarding dementia care. The expected outcomes of the programme were successfully met, as the participants gained a clear understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, its symptoms, risk factors, and the differences from normal ageing. The initiative created a platform for dialogue on mental health and elderly care, strengthening the commitment of the college towards social responsibility and community service. Overall, the World Alzheimer’s Day programme was a meaningful and impactful event that inspired students and faculty to contribute towards raising awareness and promoting compassionate care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease

The Mental Health Club in association with the Department of Social Work at Bishop Vayalil Memorial Holy Cross College organized an awareness talk on the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day. The event was held on 11th September 2025 at 11:30 AM in the St. Jovian Mini Theatre.

The event was coordinated by Mr. Jomin Thankachan (Student Coordinator, S5 BSW), along with faculty coordinators Mr. Atul George Dcruz and Ms. Stephia Stephen. The session was presided over by Dr. Baby Sebastian, Principal, and Dr. Robins Jose, Head of the Department of Social Work.

The programme was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Mr. Joy K. Mathew, Counsellor, Adarrt, Pala, who delivered an insightful address on the theme “Creating Hope Through Action”. In his talk, he emphasized the importance of suicide prevention, the identification of warning signs, and the need to break the myths and stigma surrounding mental health. He also highlighted the significance of building supportive networks and creating awareness to foster hope and resilience among students.

The expected outcome of the programme was successfully achieved, as students gained accurate knowledge about suicide, its warning signs, and the myths surrounding it. The session inspired the participants to be proactive in promoting mental health awareness and supporting their peers in need.

The Mental Health Club of Bishop Vayalil Memorial Holy Cross College organized a Stress Free Workshop on 22nd August 2025 at 2:00 p.m. The session was led by Mr. Prince Benny, who shared practical strategies and techniques to help students manage stress and develop resilience.

The main objective of the workshop was to enable students to handle stressful situations with a calm and positive mindset. Mr. Benny highlighted the importance of emotional balance, self-awareness, and healthy coping mechanisms in facing personal and academic challenges.

The event was coordinated by Mr. Atul George Dcruz and Ms. Stephia Stephen, Faculty Coordinators of the Mental Health Club, with the support and guidance of Dr. Baby Sebastian, Principal.

The session proved to be highly interactive and beneficial, as students actively participated and expressed how the workshop provided them with valuable tools for maintaining mental well-being. The programme successfully met its expected outcome of fostering resilience and motivating students to approach challenges with confidence.

The Mental Health Club of Bishop Vayalil Memorial Holy Cross College, in collaboration with Angel’s Village Special School, Ponkunnam, organized a motivational movie day titled “Beyond the Game – We Are All Champions” on 21st August 2025 at the Ashanilyam Auditorium.

The session was graced by Sr. Litty Xavier, Principal of Ashanilyanam Angel’s Village Special School, who addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of recognizing the unique talents and potential of every child.

As part of the programme, the movie “Sitaare Zameen Par” was screened for special children and teachers. The film highlighted themes of inclusion, resilience, and the message that special children are equally capable of becoming champions in life.

The event created a joyful and inspiring atmosphere, fostering a positive school culture and reinforcing the value of empathy and equality. Students, teachers, and special children actively engaged with the message of the film, which encouraged them to view challenges as opportunities for growth and achievement.

The Department of Social Work of Bishop Vayalil Memorial Holy Cross College, Cherpunkal, inaugurated the Mental Health Club under the title “Mind Bloom” on 12th August 2025 at 9:45 AM. The programme was held at the Volleyball Court of the college.

The event was graced by the Chief Guest, Rev. Fr. Martin Kallarackal, Bursar of BVM Holy Cross College. The inaugural function was coordinated by Mr. Atul George Dcruz and Ms. Stephia Stephen (Faculty Coordinators) along with Sr. Delna (Student Coordinator).

The venue was decorated to reflect the theme of mental well-being, with FLASHMOB and hydrogen balloons adding a festive and uplifting atmosphere to the programme.

The inauguration aimed to promote awareness about mental health among students and the wider community, encouraging open dialogue and reducing stigma around mental illness. The Chief Guest addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of mental health literacy and the role of students in supporting peers and promoting wellness.

Following the inaugural address, faculty coordinators shared the vision and objectives of the Mental Health Club, which included:

•           Promoting understanding of mental health concepts and common disorders.

•           Introducing coping strategies and resilience-building activities.

•           Reducing myths and stigma related to mental illness.

The Mental Health Club of Bishop Vayalil Memorial Holy Cross College successfully organized “Mindscapes – The Psychology Fair” on March 6, 2025, at the Seminar Hall of the college. The event, held from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, aimed to raise awareness about mental health and psychological well-being among students. The fair was inaugurated by Rev. Martin, the Bursar of the college, who emphasized the importance of mental well-being in students’ academic and personal growth. The event featured interactive exhibits, discussions, and activities, providing an engaging platform for students to explore various aspects of psychology. The expected outcome of the event was to inspire students to become advocates for mental well-being in their daily lives. The event was coordinated by Atul George Dcruz, with the esteemed presence of Rev. Dr. Baby Sebastian, Principal of the institution.

The Mental Health Club, in collaboration with the Anti-Narcotic Cell, organized an awareness programme titled “Wellness and Respect” at Bishop Vayalil Memorial Holy Cross College, Kottayam. The event took place on February 4, 2025, from 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM at St. Genesius Theatre. The session was led by Mr. Ajayakumar M. N, a Senior Civil Police Officer from Pala Police Station, as the resource person. The program aimed to promote mental well-being and address substance abuse issues, fostering awareness among students about the importance of mental health and a drug-free lifestyle.

The event commenced with a welcome speech by Mr. Atul George D’Cruz, who emphasized the importance of understanding psychological theories in the field of psychiatric social work. He highlighted the significance of mental health awareness and the role of social workers in providing support to individuals in distress. Ms. Sreekutty M J, a doctoral scholar from Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, conducted an interactive session on psychiatric social work, focusing on major psychological theories and how they explain human behaviour. The session provided an insightful overview of significant psychological perspectives, including psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic theories, and their relevance to social work practice. The session emphasized the role of psychiatric social work in mental health interventions, discussing practical approaches in therapy and support for individuals facing psychological distress. Ms. Sreekutty illustrated these concepts using real-life case studies, offering students a deeper understanding of the subject. The event was well-received, with active participation from attendees who engaged in discussions and queries. This interactive approach allowed participants to connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications in psychiatric social work.

As a part of second semester, Anti- narcotic cell and Mental health club organized an awareness class named ‘Beyond the mask’ on 30 January 2025 at St. Genesius theater, BVM college, held from 10:45 am- 12:15 pm. The class was led by Ms. Aleesha Sanisha, a social worker in CHASS, and also Mr. Rajeev, who successfully overcome his addiction through counseling and support, to share his experience. The objective of the class was to educate participants on the effect of substance abuse, foster empathy through real- life recovery stories and encourage a supportive, addiction free community. The class began with a prayer, welcome speech, presidential and felicitation address. This was followed by the interactive class led by Ms. Aleesha by addressing the dangers of substance abuse, explaining how drugs like MDMA, alcohol can lead to physical and psychological dependency. She emphasized the impact of addiction to the alcohol within the peer groups, highlighting the role of the social influence and stigma that often prevents individuals from seeking help. She also introduced how Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a best choice to stop drinking. Mr. Rajeev shared his personal journey of struggling with alcohol addiction, offering a candid account of his experiences and the challenges he faced. He explained how counseling and support played a pivotal role in his recovery and encouraged students to seek help to others whenever needed. The class offered a supportive environment allowing students to answer and also to ask questions. The class ended with a reminder to students about the importance of awareness, self- care, reaching out for support and also the importance of creating an addiction free community.

As a part of the second semester, Anti- narcotic cell and mental health club organized an awareness class named ‘Break the silence’ on 29 January 2025 at St. Genesius theatre, BVM college, held from 10:00 am- 11:00 am. The class was led by Mr. Sanu Tom, Project officer District mental health programme, General hospital Kottayam. The class aimed to address the importance of breaking the silence surrounding substance abuse and mental health challenges. This class was specifically for the students of BSW, BCOM, BCA, BA multimedia and visual communication. The programme began with seeking the grace of God, followed by the welcome speech, presidential and felicitation speech. Then the interactive class began by Mr. Sanu with discussion through engaging presentations and real-life testimonials. Students were encouraged to ask questions and thoughts, helping to destigmatize mental health issues and create an open environment for dialogue. The event was well received and left the participants more informed ad equipped to confront these issues responsibly. The students responded positively showing enthusiasm in discussions, active listening. To the end of this class, the gratitude extended to Mr. Sanu, programme coordinators for the interactive and impactful session to create an environment that values mental well-being.

The Department of Social Work at BVM Holy Cross College Cherpunkal organized a session titled “World Mental Health Day Awareness Program” on 10 October 2024 at St. Genesius Theatre. The session was led by Ms. Rani P Elias, a Psycho Social School Counselor from PVSGHSS, Pampady. The program aimed to raise awareness about Mental Health and expected outcome was to foster stronger community bonds and promotes collective well-being. The session was attended by BSW and B. Com students.