IDFC FIRST Bank Launches #ReachOutReachWithin Mental Health CSR Campaign

IDFC FIRST Bank has launched ‘ReachOutReachWithin’, a digital campaign on mental health awareness, with an objective to mainstream conversations around mental well-being. #ReachOutReachWithin aims to build awareness around the importance of mental health while also driving dialogue on bridging the gap in access to quality healthcare.

As part of the CSR campaign, IDFC FIRST Bank has been driving conversations around mental health on social media and engaging experts in the field, who respond to queries on the subject. A dedicated web portal has been set up, which serves as a repository of expert views and discussions related to mental health. The campaign will culminate in a two-day festival.

Around 150 million people across India are in need of mental healthcare interventions, both short and long-term. About 46% of private-sector employees report extreme stress because of their work. Even though conversations around mental health have risen, experts are of the view that the subject needs more attention. The campaign #ReachOutReachWithin aims to inform, build awareness and open a dialogue in the space of mental health. In addition, the Bank has partnered with the Banyan Academy for Leadership in Mental Health as its knowledge partner to enhance capacity building for care-givers in the mental health space.

The Bank has also hosted discussions and interviews with prominent experts in the mental health space on its web portal. Experts include Dr. Harish Shetty, Psychiatrist and Mental Health Expert, LH Hiranandani Hospital; Dr. Aditya Gopinathan, Psychiatrist, Sushrut Hospital; Dr. Lakshmi Ravikanth, Psychologist, Co-dean, Banyan Academy for Leadership in Mental Health (BALM); Sonal Adlakhiya, Social Worker and Lead, Home-Again Maharashtra Chapter, The Banyan; Chitra Paul, Special Educator and Parent of a Child with Autism; and Sarbani Mallick, Founder and Managing Trustee, Biswa Gauri Charitable Trust.

These experts have addressed challenges and myths pertaining to mental health and highlighted the need for community-peer support in achieving overall mental well-being.

The #ReachOutReachWithin campaign culminates in a mental health festival from January 16 to 17, 2021, which features workshops by experts involving the use of art, music, theatre and literature for mental wellness. Session details are as follows:

– Doodling session by author and artist Adwaita Das
– Self-awareness workshop by artist Swarali Marathe

– A mime performance titled, My Imaginary Friend and I, by mental health influencer and founder-director of The Red Door, Reshma Valliappan.

– Representation of mental health in literature by famous novelist, poet and short story writer, Jerry Pinto.

– Music for wellness workshop by Ananyaa Gaur, a Mumbai-based multi-disciplinary artist, music practitioner, facilitator and researcher, wrapping up the entire festival

Rachana Iyer, Head CSR, IDFC FIRST Bank, said, “The Covid-induced lockdown and the uncertainty thereafter, has impacted mental health across age groups and sectors. There is a need to go beyond medicine and follow a more holistic approach to mental health. We believe that the campaign will not only solve for some deep-rooted challenges but focus more on community-peer support, inclusion, accessibility and awareness to create significant impact on-ground.”

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