An 18-year-old entrepreneur from Chandigarh is turning her personal struggles into a powerful mission to support young people facing psychological challenges. Shaina Mittal, a former Carmelite student, has launched a dedicated mental health awareness initiative after her own battle with loneliness and anxiety during her studies in the United States.
From Personal Struggle to Purpose-Driven Action
Shaina Mittal's journey took a difficult turn while she was studying abroad. She experienced profound loneliness and anxiety, which ultimately led to her decision to return home to Chandigarh. Back in familiar surroundings, she channeled her energy positively, founding her own event management company, Reveliq Events, at just 18. Alongside building her business, she nurtured a deep-seated desire to spark conversations about mental well-being and create a support system for her peers.
This commitment crystallized into a concrete plan: a Christmas fundraiser dedicated solely to mental health awareness. "I organized a Christmas fundraiser in collaboration with Vatsal Chaya Trust, a reputed NGO working for underprivileged children and women," Shaina explained. The initiative, named 'Sakushal'—meaning well-being—aims to raise funds specifically for mental health awareness. After covering operational costs, all remaining proceeds will be donated to Vatsal Chaya Trust to bolster its existing mental health programmes.
The Sakushal Project: A Year-Long Mission
The fundraiser is just the beginning of a more extensive campaign. As part of the year-long Sakushal Project, Shaina will work closely with Sangeeta Vardhan, founder of Vatsal Chaya Trust. Together, they plan to conduct a series of podcasts, webinars, and awareness sessions, both online and offline, targeting schools and colleges across the region. "These sessions will address mental health issues that are particularly relevant to today’s youth," Shaina stated, highlighting the project's focus.
She pointed to the unique pressures facing her generation as a key driver for her work. Young adults, she notes, are inundated with social media and live in a high-speed culture where instant gratification is expected. Struggle and resilience often get sidelined, a situation sometimes unintentionally worsened by overprotective parenting. "Teenagers today are constantly under pressure to look perfect, achieve instantly and never fail," Shaina observed. "I have lived through that pressure, and I want to tell them that it is okay to struggle and okay to slow down. My journey taught me that courage is not the absence of fear. It is choosing to move forward despite it."
Curating Community and Conversation
Leveraging her event management expertise, Shaina curated the fundraiser to be more than just a charity event. It featured 10 diverse stalls offering food, lifestyle brands, and essential products. "The exhibition is designed not just as a community experience but also as a platform to spark meaningful conversations on mental health," she added. To create a vibrant and engaging atmosphere, the event included live musical performances by various bands and culminated in a social night with popular DJs, fostering community engagement and solidarity for the cause.
Through Sakushal, Shaina Mittal is transforming her personal experience into a beacon of hope and practical support, aiming to build a more empathetic and resilient environment for the youth of today.
