Mpower is an organization established with the goal of eradicating stigmas around mental health and establishing a support system for those in need. Co-founded by Mrs. Neerja Birla and Ms. Ananya Birla, the movement aims to change the perception Indians have of mental health issues through continuous efforts to spread awareness. Mpower has been working together with BITS Goa, and now BITS Pilani, to provide assistance to college students who are under pressure. The Mpower Centre has been set up in the Medical Centre (MedC) and will extend its professional support to any student, faculty, staff, or any of their family members if they need it. Both Neerja Birla and Ananya Birla were present at the inauguration, which was held on 27th September in the main auditorium.

The programme, which was scheduled to start at 5:00 pm, witnessed a slow but constant influx of people, which mainly included faculty, staff, and students from the Birla Shishu Vihar, who came in droves to watch Ananya Birla’s performance. Finally, at about 5:40 pm, the Director, Professor A.K. Sarkar, and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Souvik Bhattacharya, along with Mrs. Neerja Birla and Ms. Ananya Birla, entered the auditorium with a huge entourage behind them. Prof. Sarkar, Prof. Bhattacharya, and Mrs. Birla were then invited onto the stage to take their places at the seats of honour. Each of them in turn then proceeded to speak about Mpower, and the need for such a centre in a college such as BITS.

Prof. Bhattacharya was the first one to be called up onto the stage to say a few words. He stressed on the importance of the movement, saying that mental health is a huge concern in colleges like BITS, and the number of students who need this kind of support has grown over the years. He explained the need for a layered, structured management system, which would include and extend help to the students. Prof. Bhattacharya hoped that the centre can teach life skills and perform the difficult task of diagnosing students at risk. He did not want to see a large footfall at the centre, but he encouraged students to avail the facilities if required, as seeking help is one of the simplest and most important steps one can take.

Prof. Sarkar started by explaining the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of mental health, and said, ‘There are well-documented symptoms of mental illness, and with luck and if measures are taken early enough, the illness can be cured’. He would not be surprised if WHO classified mental illness as an epidemic. According to Prof. Sarkar, this is the right time to take this next step to help the upcoming generation take the country forward. The major task is removing the stigma associated with mental illness.

‘BITS Pilani occupies a soft spot in my heart; I have come here multiple times over the past years’, said Mrs. Neerja Birla. She claimed that BITS already has a global footprint, and efforts need to be made to take care of its students. Mrs. Birla then began talking about mental health. She likened the human brain to a machine, with the neurons acting like wires. She explained how an imbalance in neurotransmitters leads to mental disorders, and the various pressures one faces act as catalysts for mental illness. She helped the crowd visualize how mental illness comes about, and how it can be alleviated. She cited parental pressure, competition, body shaming, and bullying, among other things, as the pressures people strain against, especially in school and college. A drop in performance, delinquent behaviour, and withdrawal from loved ones are some of the common symptoms, and in very serious cases, one may suffer from suicidal tendencies.

‘You must promise yourself that you are stronger than the disorder and will fight to overcome it.’ Mrs. Birla hopes to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, and show that ‘it is okay to not be okay, but it is not okay to not seek help’. She implored BITSians to be aware of the signs that imply a possibility of mental illness, and asked those who have seen these signs to approach the psychiatrist at the centre. After the conclusion of her speech, Prof. Bhattacharya presented Mrs. Birla with a memento, and along with Prof. Sarkar, escorted her off the stage.

The stage was then cleared to make way for Ms. Ananya Birla’s awaited music performance. Ananya Birla is the first Indian artist with an English single that achieved platinum status. She and her dance crew proceeded to tear up the stage, performing international hits like Hold On, Unstoppable, Day Goes By, and many others. The students of Birla Shishu Vihar enjoyed her performance the most, shouting out the lyrics to every song. After her performance, Mrs. Sarkar and Mrs. Bhattacharya were called on stage and presented Ms. Birla with the BITS insignia and a photo frame respectively. Mrs. Bhattacharya then handed out gifts to all the members of Ananya Birla’s crew. The inauguration ended with a vote of thanks.