Poona College Hosts Successful Awareness Program on Mental Well-Being
Pune, 17 July 2025: Poona College of Arts, Science, and Commerce hosted an impactful Awareness Program on Well-Being (Mental Health) in the college conference hall. The event was jointly organized by the Youth Red Cross Poona College Unit and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Poona College, in collaboration with the Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation. The program aimed to foster awareness about mental health, promote emotional well-being, and equip students with positive coping strategies to navigate modern challenges.
Principal Dr. Iqbal Shaikh shared his thoughts on the significance of the program. He stressed that mental well-being plays a key role in the overall growth of students. He expressed concern about the rising mental health issues among today’s youth and underlined the need for constant awareness, support, and open conversation.
The program commenced with the Welcome Address by IQAC Coordinator, Dr. Shirin Shaikh. Her speech highlighted the college’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for students’ emotional and psychological growth. Her words set a positive and motivational tone for the awareness sessions that followed. She also expressed gratitude to the collaborating organizations for their support in making this initiative possible.
The first session was delivered by Ms. Aayushi Chauhan, who provided an informative and engaging presentation on mental health. Her talk focused on the importance of recognizing mental health challenges among youth, building emotional strength, and adopting effective coping strategies. Ms. Chauhan’s session was well-received, as it offered practical insights and actionable advice for students to manage stress and maintain emotional well-being. The second session was conducted by Ms. Swarangi Sahasrabuddhe, who delivered a thought-provoking presentation on stress management and digital wellness. Her session addressed the impact of digital overuse on mental health and provided strategies for achieving a balanced lifestyle.
Following the insightful sessions by the guest speakers, a psychometric test was conducted for the students. This activity was designed to assess various aspects of the students’ mental health, emotional well-being, and stress levels. Students actively participated in the test, which further encouraged self-reflection and awareness of their mental health.
A total of 128 students benefited from the awareness program. The event was successfully organized by Program Coordinator Dr. Mukhtar Shaikh. It commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Dr. Ahmad Shamshad. Ms. Hakima Shaikh conducted the program efficiently as the anchor, while Ms. Samruddhi delivered the vote of thanks. The event witnessed active participation from both students and faculty members. Overall, the program was highly impactful and left a meaningful impression on all attendees.
