Our Team
As a keen blogger on social issues, words are the thread that ties me to the people and events around me. Music and Painting have helped me keep my mental health in check during Covid and brought me to understand the pain related to mental health issues. It convinced me that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of; fortunately, neither is talking about it.
My goal is to develop an environment that breaks the stigma around mental health. “It’s okay, not to be okay” we feel and understand the sense of emptiness and anxiety some of our friends have gone thru but found it difficult to acknowledge.
Agastyaa Goradia
During Covid I seriously thought about mental health—the growing problem in these times. My curious mind got to research almost immediately, trying to find ways to help teenagers around me.
Since the beginning of the Lockdown, mental health concerns have become more prevalent, exacerbating the situation. My goal is to develop an environment that breaks the stigma around mental health.
In the future, I want to specialize in psychology. My research has helped me get a deeper grasp of the human brain and its effects on the human body. I strongly believe ” key to fight depression is to start with acceptance”
Fia Inamder
The brain is the control centre of the body, just as the nucleus for the cell. When the brain is affected, the body suffers as well. Mental health issues have increased since the beginning of the Lockdown, intensifying the problem, and my vision is to create a youth- powered, non-profit encouraging conversation to educate and break the stigma surrounding mental health. The increase in mental illness and the lack of awareness thereof inspired me to come together along with my friends, Fia and Agastyaa, to start mindovermatter
Change doesn’t necessarily need to be large and global, even a small gesture that has creates an impact is powerful.
Aliya Shetty Oza
- 00Days
- 00Hours
- 00Followers
- 00Volunteers
Events
MindOverMatter extends profound gratitude to all supporters for their invaluable participation in the Multi City Walkathon, elevating it to monumental success. With immense pride, we witness the burgeoning of our community across Mumbai and Kodaikanal. Your unwavering dedication fuels our resolve to advance mental health advocacy. Thank you for uniting with us in this noble cause.
In February 2024, we took part in an event where we recruited 60 volunteers to strengthen our MOM community and expand its initiatives across multiple schools in Mumbai. Our dedicated volunteers launched efforts to raise awareness about teen mental health, fostering meaningful conversations and support networks. They actively participated in Walkathon and relaxation club activities
Heartfelt gratitude to every one who purchased our books and paintings as your support has helped in our fund raiser. Thank you for your generosity. We would like to share with you that all the funds have been donated to Prafulta our esteemed NGO partner. Their primary focus is to provide support and assistance for mental health challenges faced by teenagers. Thank you once again!
A massive shoutout to our 149 participants and 6 schools, and supportive parents who made our art event a huge success! Your dedication to promoting positive mental health through art truly touched our hearts. Long registration line early in the day was the beginning of an incredible journey. The focus, concentration, and vibrant energy from all the young artists was overwhelming
A big thank you to 180 talented participants from 12 schools who took part in our essay writing competition! Your creativity and dedication truly shone through, and we’re thrilled to have had such an enthusiastic response. While we believe each one of you were a winner, however, as required we announced our winners on 3rd October 2024. Hope to continue getting your support in future
Heartfelt gratitude to every one who purchased our cards and T-Shirts hand painted by us. Thank you for your generosity. As an update, all the funds have been used to promote awareness through the event – a multi city Walkathon in Mumbai and Kodaikanal. The fund were utilised to promote the event, refreshments, marketing and souvenirs for all the participants. Thank you once again!
Fia founded a Relaxation Club at Kodaikanal International School to support teens and break the stigma around mental health. Aliya Shetty Oza published her research paper on Social Media – It’s impact on Mental Health in National High Schooler Journal of Science in February 2024. The paper is based on the impact of passive social media engagement on the mental health of young adults
We’re also grateful to every teen and parent who stopped by, engaged with us, and picked up our free booklet on gratification—plus the 30-day positivity challenge for parents to cultivate affirmations and gratitude. We had over 500 copies distributed to promote positive mental health. We are committed to spreading awareness every step of the way. Thankyou for your encouragement to us
In February 2024, Agastyaa Goradia developed Talk to Me, an emotional chatbot designed to simulate human-like conversations using natural language processing and machine learning. It detects keywords like depressed, suicidal, and offers support, motivation, and essential resources such as nearby hospitals, restaurants, and emergency services with technology to support teens everyday
Event Schedule
30 Days Challenge
- Reset, Recharge Life
Gratitude Journal
- Grateful Always
E Book
- Informative and Encouraging
Podcast
Guest Speaker – Ashish Jagtiani – RJ, Coach and Corporate trainer Topic – Launch of Podcast on Mental Health issues Highlights - launch of the platform, vision, goal and plan of the founding team of mind over matter. The podcast has all the 3 founders Aliya, Agastyaa and Fia being interviewed by Jaggu to understand their commitment to the initiative
Guest Speaker – Luke Coutinho – Life Style Coach, Author and a trainer Topic - lifestyle change to have a healthy mind and body Highlights - how to build back their immunity post COVID,. Be kinder to yourself Advice to teens to follow an exercise routine, sleeping right, Addressing Eating disorder, relationship between food and mental health
Guest Speaker Kirandeep Manocha, MYP Faculty Performing Arts, Pathway World School. A Master’s in Education Topic - Creativity has no boundary Highlights - Reduce negative social media. Don't always expect the best, accept life as it is. Change your mindset. You're not the victim. If somebody has done you wrong, use it as fuel and burn and be the sun !!!
Guest Speaker - Serena Mehta – Student at Northwestern University, USA. Topic - Struggle of mental health by high school students while moving to college, Highlights - Effect of a student's mental health on their academics. Measures taken for sound mental health, Everyday life of a university student and how to deal with challenges and emerge a winner
Guest Aparna Piramal, Author – Chemical Khichdi Topic – How I hacked my mental health Highlights Each one who is battling in his head and needs someone to help during such trying times. The role of a family or the people who are close to you or caregiver need to play in helping overcome the pain the victim goes thru during mental health issues.
Guest Speaker- Ms Aruna Dehaloo, an internationally trained ballet teacher. Ms Aruna excelled at Ballet, winning several competitions and was the only Indian dancer chosen for the production of Nutcracker at the Playhouse in Durban. She also went on to perform in the Coppelia and Russian Ballet. Topic – How dance to maintains positive outlook in life
Guest Speaker - Ms. Kalpana Chaudhary, head of school N H Goel World School, Raipur. Has set up and nurtured three CBSE schools in South Gujarat. A believer of Progressive & Inclusive Pedagogies. Has designed Curriculum for her schools keeping in mind inclusive, experiential, participative and collaborative teaching learning practices as core elements.
Guest Dr Sagreeka Roy Bhatia, Author, Global Speaker & a neuro coach Podcast Topic : Are you Body shamed, Bullied or Labelled? Speak Up Highlights of the Podcast - Body Shaming a big issue in teen life, increase in Peer pressure , Social stigma around mental health , About “Just expressions”. As a Neuro coach and Ms Sagreeka works closely with Olympians
Guest Speaker- Dr. Lakshana Sharma, M.D. Paediatrics . Consultant Pediatrician at Healthfirst Advanced Cardiac and Pediatric centre. Topic Connection between psychiatry and medicine" what a doctor deals with when it comes to mental health, Noticing children's behavior and mental health, provide care and support in the teens years. Listen without judging
Speaker - Ms Sparsh Kataria, Digital Marketeer and content creator Topic - How to cope with Mental Health Issues in Teens Highlights -Substance abuse is dangerous at any age, How to help teens cope with the depression due to heartbreak, Social media and technology addiction and mechanisms to deal with it. Healing by connecting with nature. Digital detox
Speaker - Robin Behl ( Co-Founder of Tribe India ) Learning about the connection between fitness and the mind, How fitness can control temper and Opinion on mental health- challenge or taboo. Use fitness to not just build physical strength but also mental strength. Exercise and go close to nature. Strong mind and strong body will make life fulfilling
Podcast Guest - Dr Ekta , Topic- Why not ask for help when we need it? Highlights of the podcast - insight into brain mapping and the link between physical and mental health, along with the overlap between cognitive, social and emotional learning. Patience and understanding while dealing with teen problems. Be non judgemental. Just Listen no advice.
Topic - Express Self Love, Be it art, dance, writing, community building. March 2023 Guest : Ms Ruchika Bhuyan- Author , Trained professionally in Bharatanatyam and Kathak, Promoter of Project Aafiyat, Active member of the LGBTQ+ community. Teenagers perspective and challenges. Build a community and a safe space for non judgemental discussions with teens
Podcast Guest - Shailee Parekh ( Co Founder Jungle calling) Topic - Adventures and Mental health Highlights of the Podcast - Learning about safaris and trips without parents and how they impact children, Noticing children’s behavior away from home and family. A 3rd persons perspective on teenagers who find it difficult to communicate with family/friends
Podcast Guest - Ruchi Gulati Topic - Finding inner peace and balance through Yoga Highlights: -Techniques to control your mind, -Importance of positive affirmations, -Need for self-introspection, Importance of leading a disciplined life. Primary focus is to provide support and assistance for mental health challenges faced by teenagers thru yoga practice
Dr Ekta Bhatia on the topic, Why not ask for help when we need it?. Dr Bhatia is a founder of Lil Munchkins, a kids gym and an expert paediatric fitness. How overscheduling our children’s time can be detrimental to the mental well-being of children and How to involve children in decision-making and its benefits. Some insight into brain mapping in teens