The 9th Niraivagam Day

The 9th Niraivagam Day was celebrated on a grand scale at Savio Hall, St. Bede’s Campus on 5th August 2023. During the celebration, the Chief Guest, Dr. S. Sulaiman Meeran, MD, Royapettah Hospital, gave the keynote address wherein he highlighted the need for the awareness on mental health in our society. During the function awards were conferred to Dr. R. Thara, Co-Founder and V-Chairman of Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), Anna Nagar for her lifetime contribution to Mental Health, to TTK Hospital for their excellence in Mental Health Services and Mrs. Maya, its managing trustee received the award and to “Jai Bhim” fame Mr. K. Manikandan, Actor and Story writer for his contribution to mental health through Media. Rev. Fr. John Alexander SDB, Vice Provincial in his inspiring message appreciated the great contribution made by Niraivagam in the past nine years in promoting the culture of the need for mental health awareness and the hard work put in by Rev. Dr. Joseph Jeyaraj SDB, Founder and Director of Niraivagam. The special invitees of the event were School Principals, Collaborators, participants of PCT and CBT courses, well-wishers, friends and students. In view of the 9th Niraivagam Day, various competitions were conducted in differnet schools on the theme “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right”. Altogether 709 students from 10 schools actively took part in the Niraivagam day competitions, among them 32 students won prizes under different categories for different competitions that were conducted at the interschool level. The following schools participated: Don Bosco School of Excellence Egmore, Don Bosco Perambur, Don Bosco Mat. Hr. Sec. School Egmore, Holy Angel’s Mat. Hr. Sec. School, St Vincent’s Mat. Hr. Sec. School, Don Bosco Mat. School, Ayanavaram, St Gabriel’s Hr. Sec. School, Broadway, Don Bosco Hr. Sec. School, Vyasarpadi, SIGA Polytechnic College, Kilpauk and Don Bosco Anbu Illam, M.K.B Nagar. Other highlights of the event were, Person Centred Therapy Association was inaugurated. Participants of 80 hours Hands-on Certificate course on Person Cantered Therapy (PCT) and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy were given certificates. Best Niraivite of the year award was given to Mrs. Virgin. Our sincere thanks to St. Bede’s Community for hosting the event and for their whole-hearted help and support.