Sound N Mind to combat mental illness

'Sound N Mind', as an organisation, has been active for the past few years, working specifically in the domain of mental health, spreading and embracing emotional wellness, under the slogan: "No Health without Mental Health." It firmly believes that 'Emotion' plays a key role in moulding our thoughts. And therefore, to control thoughts and polish our emotions, Sound N Mind has come up with assorted breathing techniques, induced with elemental sounds, helping to calm down brain waves. Irrespective of the type and degree of mental trauma, the mindful exercises offered by Sound N Mind infuse a relaxed state of mind, helping to cope up with overwhelming moments in life, bestowing one with positive affirmations and outlook towards life and lifestyle. As May, the Mental Health Awareness month is about to begin, Sound N Mind founder-mentor Sourish Chowdhury shares his thoughts and visions, in an interview with Bizz Buzz

How did the Sound N Mind journey start?

Since my childhood days, under the guidance of my father, a doctor by profession, I had always wanted to do something for the people as the craving to help them was always burning within me. Having lost my father, fighting against the clutch of cancer, the pain, the enigma of losing my father and the passion to help people in need precipitated Sound N Mind- The power of healing.

With the firm belief that mental peace and refinement are the pillars of overall development and harmony; I have been imparting mental wellness and self-reinstating sessions, primarily to the Cancer patients, fighters and caregivers coupled with Autism (ASD), Senior citizens and the Corporate Sector. I hope to spread an awareness to tackle and fight Stress - the hidden bane of the modern century, which besets in the life of many.

You have an engineering background (IT), but people may ask if you are qualified enough to conduct such courses, before joining Sound N Mind

Having worked in top MNCs for over 12 years, including IBM, Siemens and Cognizant and then starting my own software firm, I decided to pursue a course on applied psychology. I now hold a Diploma in Modern Applied Psychology (DMAP), and I am a certified professional life coach, a mental health practitioner, master life coach, emotional intelligence life coach, cognitive behavioural life coach and mindfulness life coach.

What exactly do you do through Sound N Mind?

One in five people in the workplace experience a mental health condition, and while many employers are developing policies to support a healthy workforce, there is no shared vision for mental health in the workplace. Major hindrance in the workplace is pointed out to be the outcome of strenuous work leading to stress and other psycho-emotional depletions. Sound N Mind establishes sessions of emotional welfare and intelligence through various assorted breathing principles coupled with sound guided mindfulness toning.

Similarly, teenage is a floating age, with a weighing mind what matters to them the most is self-esteem and body image. Symptoms of depression in teens may manifest themselves in different ways than in adults due to the different social and developmental challenges in everyday life. Way laid by associated stress and anxiousness; it can take a complete 360 degree turn from the normal inclination of the mind. Sound N Mind anchors a model to alleviate them through incorporating the touch of mindfulness and breathing with incantations, to reduce their inflammatory response. Awareness of mind and body emotional balance.

Then, factors related to anxiety and depression are very common with the elderly denizens with hike in reports of significant overlapping of depressive and anxiousness symptoms. Tarrying is common in old age, they become slow and dependent. But unfortunately, in many nations and societies, old age is often posed as a stage to act out in a rage. Sound N Mind brings forth articulated breathing for calming the mind and sound guided mental imagery method to create the peaceful mental ambience. Sound N Mind also conducts acute listening and breathing workshops for the expecting mothers.

In short, we are catering and imparting holistic psycho-emotional wellness. We are providing an umbrella, for equipping people to understand and evaluate mental imbroglios at different stages and phases of their lives.

The month of May is celebrated as the Mental Health Month in many parts of the world? What is the significance and what do you propose to do during this time?

May is a time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioural health issues and to help reduce the stigma that so many people experience. Maintaining emotional and mental wellness is key to living a healthy life, and we all need help and guidance to do this. Thanks to modern technology, there are experienced counsellors, psychologists, and psychiatrists just a click or a call away, and one can opt for a telephonic consult or a video consult, as per one's comfort level.

The pandemic has increased the recognition as well as receptivity of mental health issues in our country specifically in the corporate sector. Being in this field and being an integral part of this mental health awareness campaign, we believe that shining light on a nebulous, but critical problem must concern us beyond business as usual.

The pandemic brought all of us together under the same roof, 24x7, and this is not an easy situation to live in. Some of the issues this has given rise to include domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, and increased anxiety which has also developed into depression. We will have to start a fight against these issues. In individuals with feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, self-doubt, low self-worth, difficulty maintaining jobs and relationships are all common side-effects of exposure to long-term stigma.

We will strive to combat stigma by actively protesting it, by spreading awareness via community programmes, and by not isolating and abandoning those with mental health issues. We have lined up a whole lot of social media, video, poster and webinar campaigns on all such issues.

Suicide rates are on the rise, especially in students who fail to clear examinations. What do you have to say about this?

Everyone plans for success, but no one plans for failure. This is an important learning we must teach our children. The common refrain from approaching anyone for any issues related to mental health is "log kya kahenge / What would people say?" And this must be overcome. Apprehension in children comes from non-achievement.

We need to help them find something that is a combination of their ability, interests and potential. Also, parents should not put the burden of their own unsuccessful dreams on their children. When speaking of substance abuse, we need to remember that it is not a character flaw, but a dopamine dependency, and some have a genetic vulnerability. Some of the factors that influence abuse are peer pressure, availability of finances, and how easily available the substance is. We need to address this as well.