In a generation where hustle culture and the ‘grind’ are often celebrated as productivity, slowing down has become a luxury. However, mental health experts and therapists in the city say that taking time to pause, reflect, and engage without pressure is equally important. From card games that help participants identify personality traits to theatre-based activities that teach grounding techniques for anxiety, ‘Adaiyalam’, an annual mental health festival, aims to spark conversations on emotional well-being through interactive experiences.Organised by Chennai-based youth-led mental health organisation Hibiscus Foundation, the theme is ‘Illusion of Normality’. The event will bring together mental health professionals, wellness organisations and young people through stalls, workshops and discussions. Activities include dance and music therapy, dramatherapy, yoga, guided imagery sessions, a therapist finance workshop, and a theatre-based session exploring the intersections of mental health, caste and climate. The festival will also host a youth summit in collaboration with SCARF and The Banyan and networking sessions for participants and practitioners.“Our goal is to create a space where young people can engage with mental health in ways that feel accessible and relevant to their lives. We want to understand the gaps they see, the challenges they face, and take those recommendations to larger conversations on mental health and human rights,” said Aksheyaa Akilan, founder of Hibiscus Foundation.Several stalls are designed to encourage self-reflection. Among them is one by Imaara Survivor Support Foundation, which focuses on gender-based violence. Visitors can contribute anonymously to a “What did you normalise?” wall, sharing experiences they were conditioned to accept, while displays help identify forms of violence that often go unrecognised.Another attraction is the Love Hope Company’s “pause space”, where visitors can spin a wheel of reflective prompts, respond anonymously to questions about everyday struggles, and participate in activities aimed at encouraging open conversations around mental health.Beyond the workshops and stalls, organisers say the youth summit will be a key highlight. The summit aims to gather insights from young people on the mental health challenges they face and the support they need. “Through discussions on issues such as stigma, gender-based violence and AI in mental healthcare, participants will develop recommendations that will be compiled into a policy reference document for larger mental health and human rights discussions,” said Aksheyaa.The two-day festival will be held at Anna Centenary Library, Kotturpuram, on July 5 and 6. The event is open to all and free of cost.
