Vaikhari S

Vaikhari initially started blogging at 15 on strengthening relationships and reduce conflicts between parents and children, recognizing the impact on teenage mental health. As the blog gained traction, teenagers reached out with issues like severe anxiety and suicidal tendencies.

With guidance from psychiatry professors at a medical university where she interned and learned the basics about the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Vaikhari started Aatman online, and selected over 30 volunteers within the first month. We soon began offline workshops and collaborated with the city radio station to run a multi-episode program featuring expert interviews reaching a much larger audience.

Aatman conducts workshops including skits, debates, quizzes, and Q&A sessions, equipping students with essential life skills. The platform now has over 100+ volunteers, and has conducted nearly workshops, reaching over 3,000+ students. They also address career and exam stress by interviewing distinguished achievers on social media platforms. Collaborating with partners, Aatman has built a community of over 130 mental health professionals who are trained and invested in the support they provide. Vaikhari is a strong believer of "You are not your thoughts and you are not your diagnosis” and is committed to building a support network to promote resilience and a healthier approach to manage personal well-being.