Friday was a moment of full circle for me.

11 years after I walked out of the red brick building of Amity International School, Pushp Vihar, I walked back in. A lot had changed, a lot was still the same. I had changed, but somewhere I too, was the same.

This time I came to do something I wish someone had done for me when I was younger. I came to create awareness on mental health and self-care. Our teens are very impressionable. We are finding our identity while dealing with immense pressure from home, school, our social groups and our own selves.

And it's a very core time to intervene and make everyone aware of their feelings and how they can take care of themselves in times of need.

First we did a quick stress assessment, probably the first time any student actually took some time to reflect on how they are currently feeling. Then we engaged the group by telling them about pop psychology terms like gaslighting, trauma bonding, and more. Everybody knew those of course, but we busted some myths around what they actually meant.

Towards the end, I shared the story of how when I was their age, I myself had gone through a period of depression due to multiple factors, and that they are not alone in this.

I genuinely empathize with the current generation. They grew up in the age of social media by default. Their entire careers are challenged daily by AI. And many addictions (physical and mental) are easily accessible and hard to let go of. Low self esteem, body negativity, bullying (physical and cyber), learning disabilities were all prominent.

After the workshop, our team was available for 1-on-1 sessions which a lot of students participated in, feeling comfortable speaking to someone who was independent of the school. Even the school supported that.

My sister and I also went around the building, visiting our usual hangouts. We spoke to old teachers, and even the didis in the housekeeping staff. Every time I mentioned Emoneeds did, I was very surprised to see that everyone agreed it was very important. I honestly did not expect that.

I thought I'd walk into school trying to prove to everyone mental health is needed. But we have moved past that. Everyone agrees already. But where to go, who to speak to, how to find the best fit, how to educate parents with a traditional mindset. These are all the questions that remain.

None of this would have been possible without the support of my alma mater. My principal Ameeta Mohan maam, Mansi Atreya maam, and Chairperson Amita Chauhan ma'am at AMITY GROUP OF SCHOOLS - For allowing me to talk about this sensitive topic without any qualms or constraints.

Towards the end, I walked out of the school optimistically, but also a little somber. I realized, there is still a long journey towards bringing the right care to our country's youth. But like most revolutionary things, it will happen a little at a time, and then suddenly all at once.

No better place to start, than my own school.