- Gagana Priya V

When I stepped into my psychology program, I thought mental health would be an open

conversation, especially among psychology students. But I quickly realised that even in

academic spaces dedicated to the mind, mental health still carries silence. It's often spoken

about in theory, but not always lived out in community.

That quietness around emotions, vulnerability, and seeking help stayed with me.

And I decided not to stay quiet with it.

As I started getting involved on campus — from volunteering during Mental Health Week,

organising donation drives, helping set up Gratitude Walls and Happiness Booths, and now

taking on the role of a PsyBuddy Student Ambassador — I began to see just how much small

actions can spark safe spaces.

Whether it was handing someone a rose on Happiness Day, watching them tear up a piece of

paper labelled "stress," or inviting them to connect with a mentor on the PsyBuddy platform,

these moments felt powerful. It wasn’t about solving anyone’s problems. It was about letting

them know they weren’t alone in them.

What PsyBuddy Gave Me (and Us)

Becoming an ambassador wasn’t just a badge — it was a platform to say:

“Here’s a space for your thoughts. Here’s someone to talk to. And here’s proof that reaching

out is normal, brave, and beautiful.”

PS Buddy’s mentorship network, which connects students with licensed professionals for just

₹149 or less, is a game-changer. And what excites me most is not the structure — it’s the

intention. It's built on accessibility, compassion, and action.

As a student, I’ve witnessed how one poster, one honest story, or one DM about mental

health support can lead someone toward mentorship or reflection. And that ripple is what

makes the work worth it.

Making It Visible — Beyond the Classroom

Most of what I've learned about psychology hasn’t come just from textbooks. It’s come from:

 Setting up stalls that make mental health visible

 Collaborating with people who care deeply but may not know how to help

 Listening — and being listened to — during volunteering, workshops, and community

events

I’m learning that creating change doesn’t always look like a big campaign. Sometimes, it

looks like:

 A rose

 A wall full of thank-yours

 A quiet moment shared between two students who’ve both been silently carrying too

much

Why I Wrote This:

Because mental health is not just a subject I study.

It’s something I want to live, support, and normalise in every space I walk into.

I hope this blog encourages you — whether you're a psychology student or just someone who

cares — to start showing up, even in small ways.

You never know who’s watching. Or who might need the exact message you’re afraid to

share.