Peace within oneself is the foundation of Mental Well-being”: Rotary District Governor Uday Pilani

Hyderabad, October 31, 2026: “Mental health is an extension of peace. Peace is an important area of focus for Rotary, and peace within oneself ensures better mental health. The absence of peace leads to disturbance,” said Rotary District Governor Uday Pilani, emphasising the importance of nurturing mental well-being among children during their formative years.
He was speaking at the closing ceremony of PEP-UP Menal Well-being, a ₹33-lakh student mental well-being initiative undertaken by the Rotary Club of Hyderabad Mavericks, which reached over 3,200 students through mental health awareness sessions and screened 2,686 students across eight government and private educational institutions in Hyderabad. It is the biggest and the longest Mental Well-being imitative ever taken up in the state of Telangana.  
The year-long project, designed for students in the 13–21 age group, concluded with a showcase event held on Saturday at G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science, Shaikpet, Hyderabad.
Uday Pilani, who was the Chief Guest, along with Rashida Adenwala, an entrepreneurial leadership icon and women's empowerment advocate, the Guest of Honour, unveiled Mindpot, a mental well-being app for students, and a Well-being Toolkit, a practical handbook designed to support students. The annual report documenting the project's implementation and achievements were also released in the presence of Rotarians, teachers and counsellors.
Speaking further, Uday Pilani observed that many successful adults continue to experience emotional challenges arising from impressions and experiences formed during their childhood. He stressed that positive experiences during the formative years are essential for nurturing emotionally healthy individuals.
He also drew attention to the role played by genuine spiritual leaders, who have millions of followers because they often serve as mental well-being guides and coaches. He emphasised the need to support students during their formative years so that they grow into emotionally balanced individuals.
Rashida Adenwala said that students, much like adults, face enormous pressure arising from marks, ranks, academic performance, peer comparison, social media, loneliness and excessive screen time.
Recounting an interaction with CA students, she said they expressed a constant dilemma of whether to sleep or scroll through their phones. Many were sacrificing sleep, which in turn was affecting their mental health. She emphasised that a healthy mind is essential for a healthy body and called for greater awareness of the impact of lifestyle choices on mental well-being.
Ajay Kumar Kambhampati, President of the Rotary Club of Hyderabad Mavericks, said that the ₹33-lakh initiative was implemented under Rotary Global Grant GG2573626, with a focus on mental health awareness, screening, prevention, counselling and early intervention. The project engaged eight educational institutions in Hyderabad, bringing structured mental health support and awareness to thousands of students.
Dr. Geetha Challa, Child and Adolescent Psychologist and Founder-Director of Manojagrithi, said that mental health awareness is the foundation of nation-building. She emphasised the importance of identifying emotional and psychological concerns early and creating supportive environments where young people feel comfortable seeking help.
The participating institutions included Sri Sahithi High School, ZPHS Kothaguda, New Bloom High School, ZPHS Kondapur, Samskruthi High School, Government Junior College, G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science, and ZPHS Peddamangalaram.
 According to the project's impact report, mental health awareness sessions reached 3,207 students, while 2,686 students underwent Level 1 screening.
The programme followed a structured, multi-stage approach, beginning with awareness sessions, followed by standardised screening, further assessment of students requiring additional attention, counselling and post-screening reviews.
Of the 2,686 students screened at Level 1, 2,112 were categorised as Green, while 574 were categorised as Orange or Red, indicating the need for further attention and assessment. These screening categories served as indicators for additional support and were not clinical diagnoses.
The awareness sessions introduced students to common emotional challenges such as stress, anxiety, sadness and low confidence. They also covered coping strategies including deep breathing, mindfulness, journaling and speaking to trusted adults. Students were familiarised with the role of counsellors and the importance of seeking professional support when required.
The Rotary Club of Hyderabad Mavericks was the host club for the project, with the Rotary Club of Livermore serving as the international sponsor. Manojagrithi and Sudisha Counselling Centre were associated with the implementation and counselling support for the initiative.
The PEP-UP project sought to go beyond conventional awareness programmes by combining screening, early identification, counselling and follow-up, with the objective of creating a more supportive and emotionally healthy environment within educational institutions.
The project concluded with a call for greater attention to student mental health and the need for educational institutions, parents, teachers and community organisations to work together towards nurturing a healthier and more emotionally resilient generation.