‘Wall of Hope’, mental health initiative led by youth, unveiled in city

A ‘Wall of Hope’, a youth-led initiative by the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) and its Department of Youth Mental Health, was unveiled at the IIT-Madras Research Park in Taramani on Saturday, a press release said.

With young people facing increasing mental health challenges and suicide remaining concern, creating spaces for expression, connection, resilience, and help-seeking is vital.

The mental health campaign, which began on October 10, 2025, encourages young people aged 10-25 to express, share, and reflect upon their personal reasons for living, through brief messages of hope.

Adolescents and young adults across the country were invited to write the purpose of life on colourful post-it notes.

The activity is completely youth-led through peer leaders and trainer modules, where young people played a central role in leading and facilitating the campaign.

More than 20,000 responses from across six States have been collected.

Additionally, 400 volunteers have been trained to conduct this activity, which is voluntary and anonymous, to initiate and foster conversations around mental health.

Justice N. Anand Venkatesh, Madras High Court judge, and Lakshmi Vijayakumar, founder of suicide prevention organisation SNEHA, participated in the event, besides SCARF vice-chairperson R. Thara and director Sridhar Vaitheswaran.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)