ADITI ANKUSH SHINDE
Mr. Praveen Nahar
aditi_s@nid.edu
In the Indian context, mental health is often dismissed through labels like "pagal" or "psycho," rather than addressed with support. This project uses design thinking to propose preventative mental health strategies focused on emotional and thought regulation. Recognizing that systemic change takes time, the work explores alternative, accessible ways of nurturing well-being, specifically through a case study of vulnerable communities. The project draws from lived knowledge and science-backed methods to create grounded interventions that help individuals navigate their emotional realities. Design is used here as a bridge to shape itself around diverse lived experiences, offering tools for self-care and social-emotional learning. At its heart, the project imagines peaceful futures for both the individual and society by fostering empathy and resilience. By reframing mental health from a crisis-led model to a preventative one, the work demonstrates how design can contribute to social equity and the nurturing of mental well-being in complex cultural settings.