Swarna Gollapudi

A counseling psychologist, a mental health practitioner, and a mental health advocate. I have been in the field for the past 4 years and have been associated with mental health rehabilitation centers, child rights organizations, and their various stakeholders.  I was working on a project related to the POCSO Act, i.e., Protection of Children from sexual offenses, and was also an acting counselor at the juvenile justice board.

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My experience of working with these children has been very fulfilling. The life that these children are exposed to leaves them more at risk and vulnerable both emotionally and environmentally. It is imperative to raise mental health awareness and build resilience amongst both the adults and children coming from all classes and age groups, to create a safer and more mentally stable society around us. 

 

Antar has been my vision for a long time, as I wanted to create a de-stigmatized space for mental health. Space where voices are heard, kept, and transformed into a feeling of peace and calm. I yearn to be able to live in a world where a dialogue around mental health is normalized and conversations are held in open. This yearning and aspiration gave birth to this platform.