MAHE Bengaluru Walkathon Puts Mental Health Awareness and Early Support in Focus

Held under the theme “Walk for Health: Steps Towards Better Mental Health,” the initiative aimed to encourage open conversations about mental well-being and foster supportive environments where individuals feel comfortable discussing mental health concerns and seeking professional help.

The walkathon forms part of MAHE Bengaluru’s broader efforts to advance mental health literacy and well-being across the campus and the wider community. By bringing together educational institutions, healthcare professionals and community stakeholders, the initiative highlighted the importance of recognising concerns early and ensuring access to appropriate support.

The need for stronger mental health support systems is increasingly evident in Bengaluru. A 2026 study involving students across higher education institutions highlighted the importance of institutional support, while counselling data identified anxiety, family conflict and academic stress among key concerns. These findings reinforce the need for a connected support ecosystem that facilitates early recognition and appropriate care.

S. R. Vishwanath, MLA, Yelahanka Constituency, flagged off the walkathon in the presence of Dr Raghavendra Prabhu P., Additional Registrar, MAHE Bengaluru; Dr Jothy S. Niraja, Chairwoman, Maarga Mind Care; Mr Mahadev, Executive Engineer, Lake Division, BNCC, Yelahanka; and Mr Chandu C N, President, Yelahanka United Environmental Association.

The event also emphasised the connection between regular physical activity and mental well-being, encouraging participants to incorporate movement into their daily routines to manage stress and support overall health. Organisers reiterated that seeking professional mental health support is a sign of strength.

Addressing the gathering, MLA S.R. Vishwanath said, “Mental health must receive the same attention as physical health. Initiatives such as the MAHE Bengaluru Walkathon bring people together, encourage healthy habits and create much-needed awareness about mental well-being. Open conversations and strong community support are essential to building a healthier society.”

Dr Raghavendra Prabhu, Additional Registrar, MAHE Bengaluru, said, “At MAHE Bengaluru, we view mental health and well-being as an essential part of a meaningful student and campus experience. This initiative reflects our effort to build greater understanding, empathy and access to support through sustained engagement with students, healthcare partners and the wider community.”

Dr Jothi Neeraja, Founder, Chairwoman and Managing Director, Maarga Mind Care, said Bengaluru’s progress in healthcare, education and innovation must be accompanied by an equally strong focus on mental health. She highlighted the need to build a city where mental health concerns are recognised early, people feel confident seeking help and quality care is accessible when needed.

She said the approach to mental healthcare must shift from responding only when distress becomes a crisis to identifying concerns earlier and making appropriate care easier to access. Mental healthcare, she added, should not remain confined to hospitals or specific awareness days but become an integral part of how individuals, families, educational institutions and workplaces approach overall health.

Maarga Mind Care remains committed to strengthening this continuum of support in Bengaluru, from early recognition through treatment and recovery and beyond, she said.

Participants began the programme with a warm-up session before completing the walk around the Allalasandra Lake loop. MAHE Bengaluru organised the event in association with Maarga Mind Care, its mental health and well-being partner, with support from the Volunteer Services Organisation, National Service Scheme, National Cadet Corps and Manipal Hospitals.

The initiative underscored the importance of sustained community engagement, early identification of mental health concerns and accessible professional support in promoting mental well-being across educational institutions and the wider community.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University offering more than 400 specialisations across Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams. Its constituent units operate across campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur and Dubai.

With a track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure and contributions to research, MAHE has received national and international recognition. In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded the university Institution of Eminence status. MAHE is currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings and serves students seeking transformative learning experiences and enriching campus life, as well as national and multinational corporations seeking talent.