The Rotary Club of Hyderabad Mavericks has concluded PEP-UP Mental Well-being, a ₹33-lakh student mental health initiative that reached 3,207 students through awareness sessions and screened 2,686 students across eight government and private educational institutions in Hyderabad.
The year-long project, implemented under Rotary Global Grant GG2573626, focused on students aged 13–21 and combined mental health awareness, screening, counselling and early intervention. The initiative was described by its organisers as the biggest and longest mental well-being project of its kind in Telangana.
The closing ceremony was held on Saturday (Oct 30) at G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science, Shaikpet, Hyderabad.
Rotary District Governor Uday Pilani, the chief guest, and 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 designed to support students. The project’s annual report was also released in the presence of Rotarians, teachers and counsellors.
“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,” Pilani said, emphasising the importance of nurturing mental well-being during childhood and adolescence.
He observed that many successful adults continue to experience emotional challenges arising from childhood impressions and experiences. Positive experiences during formative years, he said, are essential for developing emotionally healthy individuals.
Pilani also highlighted the role of spiritual leaders as mental well-being guides and stressed the need to support students during their formative years.
Adenwala said students face considerable pressure from marks, ranks, academic performance, peer comparison, social media, loneliness and excessive screen time.
Recounting an interaction with CA students, she said many expressed a constant dilemma over whether to sleep or scroll through their phones. Sleep deprivation, she noted, was affecting their mental health. She emphasised that a healthy mind is essential for a healthy body and called for greater awareness of how lifestyle choices influence mental well-being.
Project impact and screening
According to the project’s impact report, the initiative reached 3,207 students through mental health awareness sessions, while 2,686 students underwent Level 1 screening.
Of those screened, 2,112 were categorised as Green, while 574 were categorised as Orange or Red, indicating the need for further attention and assessment. The categories were used as indicators for additional support and did not constitute clinical diagnoses.
The programme followed a structured, multi-stage approach, beginning with awareness sessions and standardised screening, followed by further assessment of students requiring additional attention, counselling and post-screening reviews.
The awareness sessions introduced students to common emotional challenges, including stress, anxiety, sadness and low confidence. They also covered coping strategies such as 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.
Ajay Kumar Kambhampati, president of the Rotary Club of Hyderabad Mavericks, said the ₹33-lakh initiative focused on mental health awareness, screening, prevention, counselling and early intervention.
Dr Geetha Challa, child and adolescent psychologist and founder-director of Manojagrithi, said mental health awareness was 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.
Participating institutions
The project covered eight educational institutions: 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.
The Rotary Club of Hyderabad Mavericks was the host club, with the Rotary Club of Livermore serving as the international sponsor. Manojagrithi and Sudisha Counselling Centre were associated with implementation and counselling support.
The PEP-UP project sought to go beyond conventional awareness programmes by integrating screening, early identification, counselling and follow-up within educational institutions.
The closing ceremony concluded with a call for educational institutions, parents, teachers and community organisations to work together to nurture a healthier and more emotionally resilient generation.
