What is Mental Health?
According to the World Health Organization, mental health is a state of well-being that enables us to realise our potential, cope with everyday stresses, work productively, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to our communities.
Mental health is an essential part of our overall well-being at every stage of life—from childhood and adolescence to adulthood and later years. There is a strong connection between the mind and body; when we experience psychological distress, it can also affect our physical health and overall quality of life. Prioritising mental health and seeking support
when needed can help us lead more balanced and fulfilling lives.
Importance of Counselling in today’s age
The long-held belief that counselling is only for those with severe mental illness is gradually changing. Today, individuals and families are increasingly seeking counselling not only to cope with emotional distress, but also to better understand themselves and navigate everyday challenges.
Counselling provides a safe and supportive space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It can be helpful for a wide range of concerns, including:
● Relationship and family issues
● Work-life balance and stress
● Anxiety, low mood, or emotional distress
● Grief, loss, and trauma
● Career-related concerns
● Sexual health and well-being
● Substance use and dependency
In a fast-paced and constantly evolving world, it is natural to feel overwhelmed at times. Counselling can help you make sense of these experiences, build coping strategies, and move towards greater clarity and well-being.
How iCALL Can Support You
iCALL is a free counselling service that counselling through telephone and email. Established in 2012 as a field action project of the School of Human Ecology at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, iCALL aims to make mental health support accessible to anyone in need—regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, or race.
Our services are designed to be easily accessible, regardless of where you are located. We strive to provide professional, empathetic, and confidential support to help you navigate your concerns at your own pace.
In addition to individual counselling, iCALL also conducts workshops and training programmes for educational institutions, corporates, government bodies, and NGOs. These sessions can be customised to your institution’s specific needs, covering a wide range of mental health and well-being topics.
Help Spread Awareness
You can play an important role in making mental health support more accessible by spreading awareness about iCALL within your community. You may consider:
● Displaying posters, flyers, or newsletters in common areas such as community spaces or notice boards
● Sharing information about iCALL on social media platforms
● Talking about the service within your personal networks
You could also collaborate with local groups, citizen forums, or housing societies to invite iCALL for talks or workshops.
Every effort to share this information can help someone access the support they need when they need it most.
Connect With Us
If you would like to collaborate, organise a session, or explore ways to spread awareness, we would be glad to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out to us for further details.
Madhuri Tambe – Programme Associate
iCALL Psychosocial Helpline
E-mail: contact.icall@tiss.ac.in
is a psychological helpline that aims to provide high quality telephone counselling and internet based support services which will significantly improve mental health and the well being of individuals as well as the community.
