New Delhi: In an age marked by constant digital connectivity yet growing emotional isolation, loneliness and depression are rapidly emerging as some of the most pressing mental health challenges of our time.
Recognising the urgency of this silent crisis, Dr. Vinay Aggarwal, Chairman & Managing Director, Pushpanjali Medical Education & Research Centre, in collaboration with RAHEE and the Subhashan Foundation, organised a focused mental health session titled “Loneliness & Depression: Implications & Solutions.”
The session brought together a distinguished panel of mental health experts, including Prof. (Dr.) Nimesh Desai, Former Director, IHBAS; Dr. Harijit Singh Bhatti, Healthy Ageing Activist and Geriatric Specialist (MD, AIIMS, New Delhi); and Dr. Deepika Verma, Consultant Psychiatrist, Pushpanjali Medical Centre.
The discussions were moderated by Ms. Poonam Gaur, Counsellor and Director, RAHEE, along with Ms. Rashmi Dhuriya, Founder & Lead Clinical Psychologist, STHIR – The Mind’s Clinic. The panel discussion was further moderated by Dr. Druhin Grover and Dr. Prabhani Bindra, Consultant Psychiatrists at Pushpanjali Medical Centre.
Experts highlighted that loneliness is no longer merely an emotional condition but a significant risk factor linked to depression, anxiety, and various physical health issues. Senior citizens, working professionals, and young people are increasingly vulnerable in today’s fast-paced and fragmented social environment.
The session aimed to:
Decode the hidden signs of depression
Address the growing impact of social isolation
Offer practical, real-world coping strategies
Encourage open and stigma-free conversations around mental health
Adding a powerful dimension to the event, a thought-provoking street play by the Asmita Theatre Group vividly portrayed the lived realities of individuals silently struggling with loneliness and depression, making the issue more relatable and urgent.
Organisers emphasised that breaking the silence around mental health is the first step towards healing. Platforms like these are essential for normalising help-seeking behaviour and fostering emotionally supportive and resilient communities.