Miheeka Bajaj Daggubati: If mental health conversations are to create real impact, they must move into spaces of influence and decision-making

In a significant push to position mental health at the centre of India’s public policy discourse, mental health non-profit Mudita Tribe hosted an exclusive gathering titled “Mindful Evenings: A Mudita Tribe Gathering” at the official residence of Member of Parliament Renuka Chowdhury in New Delhi recently.

The closed-door event brought together parliamentarians, policymakers, mental health professionals, social leaders, and members of Delhi’s civil society ecosystem for a focused dialogue on emotional well-being, preventive care, and mental health advocacy.

Founded by Miheeka Bajaj Daggubati and supported by trustee Deepti Alapati, Mudita Tribe said the initiative was aimed at moving mental health conversations beyond awareness campaigns and into institutional and policy frameworks.

At the centre of the evening was a panel discussion titled “Where Healing Meets the Holistic & Clinical – A Dialogue,” which explored the intersection of clinical psychiatry, therapeutic practices, community-led wellness, and experiential healing approaches in India’s evolving mental healthcare landscape.

The programme also featured “Ritual of Return,” an immersive wellness experience led by Akshat Rajan, designed to offer participants a reflective and grounding space focused on emotional well-being.

Speaking at the event, Miheeka Bajaj Daggubati said, “If mental health conversations are to create real impact, they must move into spaces of influence and decision-making. This gathering is an intentional step toward integrating emotional well-being into policy thinking where lived experience, community insight, and institutional frameworks can inform each other.”

Renuka Chowdhury underscored the growing importance of mental health in governance and social development. “Mental health is no longer a peripheral issue; it is central to the well-being and progress of our society. Platforms like this create the space for policymakers to listen, engage, and respond with greater sensitivity,” she said.

According to the organisers, the initiative seeks to encourage collaboration between government bodies, civil society organisations, and wellness practitioners while advocating for more accessible and inclusive mental healthcare systems across the country.

The panel discussion featured voices from multiple disciplines, including Nadia representing holistic wellness practices, Akshat Rajan on experiential healing, psychiatrist Dr. Sunil Mittal, and psychologist Dr. Itisha Nagar.

The evening was supported by wellness platform Akiko Wellness, which partnered with Mudita Tribe for the event.

Organisers described the gathering as a strategic milestone in Mudita Tribe’s broader advocacy efforts, signalling a growing recognition that mental well-being is intrinsically linked to public policy, social equity, and national development.