Cross-country motorcycle expedition brings national mental health campaign to Madurai

Vidiyal organisation, along with mental health survivor and motorcyclist Seher Hashmi, organised a National Mental Health Campaign at The American College on Wednesday.

Ms. Hashmi and her team are currently travelling from Delhi to Kanniyakumari as part of a pan-Indian initiative titled Beyond the Horizon: A Ride for Resilience. The 57-day cross-country motorcycle expedition covers more than 7,000 km and passes through over 50 cities.

The campaign focuses on shifting public perception of mental health from “shame” to “strength”, while highlighting it as a public health and social justice concern.

During the event, Ms. Hashmi urged families to move away from unscientific remedies, such as seeking help from traditional healers or religious sites, and instead seek professional medical and psychological care.

Seher Hashmi interacting with students at The American College in Madurai on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit:
R. ASHOK

Emphasising practical awareness, she highlighted the need to train educators and parents to recognise early signs of emotional distress, address the severe impact of academic pressure and equip peers with clear steps to respond to acute mental health crises such as panic attacks.

Data shared during the campaign revealed gaps in awareness, with over 76% of participants in North India and 85% in Karnataka reporting that they had never previously attended a mental health programme. However, around 90% of the participants said they had learnt new concepts about mental health through the campaign.

To ensure continued community support after the team moves on, the campaign distributed informational flyers and verified mental health helpline directories to all participants.