An experiential space where civic action and emotional reflection come together. An opportunity for young adults to connect solving public problems with subtle, often unspoken shifts in their mental and emotional well-being.

A multi-sensory stall showcasing the Survivor Liberation Program, a trauma-informed initiative supporting women, queer, and trans survivors of SGBV through healing and livelihood. Through videos and hands-on displays including clay, leaves, music, and movement, experience the somatic and expressive arts practices that helped participants feel seen and supported.

A life-sized Snakes & Ladders game illustrating rational (ladders) and irrational (snakes) core beliefs, based on Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy.

The Lived Experience (LE) Learning Zone is a vibrant, inclusive, and interactive space co-led by Restless Development, Sangath, and the Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy (CMHLP), in collaboration with other Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies (RNP) network partners. It aims to center diverse lived experiences in mental health by highlighting structural inequalities and intersections with power, identity, and access.

The NIMHANS Positive Psychology Unit stall will demo free digital platforms like MindNotes, Let’s Talk Life, PUSH-D, and Wellness Check—inviting visitors to explore tools, try them hands-on, and discover accessible mental health support.

Explore the power of Kannada literature to nurture mental wellness. This stall showcases excerpts from classical and contemporary works—from Kumaravyasa Bharata and Bhakti Daasa Sahitya to the timeless Mankutimmana Kagga of D.V. Gundappa. Experience visual and audio representations highlighting how literature connects us, reflects human life, and inspires mindfulness in our modern, fast-paced world.

Step inside the amazing world of your own brain! Explore how it works with hands-on, interactive models that make learning about neurons, networks, and the mysteries of the mind super fun at the NCBS Science Education Stall.

A wellness booth featuring interactive games, self-assessments, and mood-tracking activities that spark reflection and conversation around mental health. Visitors can take a mental health pledge, explore their emotional well-being, and take home meaningful merchandise as tokens of participation and care.

Try traditional games like Pallankuzhi, Gilli Danda, and Uriyadi alongside brain and sensory games. Fun and hands-on, the space celebrates cultural games while sparking creativity and joy for all ages.

Take a break at the Calm Corner, a cozy space with books and sensory toys for children. Join the Collaborative Art Station to express emotions through guided art activities, or enjoy an engaging Read Aloud session, complete with discussions and activities before and after the story.

This stall invites visitors to soften their burdens and step into the overflowing spirit of childhood. Childhood is not a memory locked in the past, but a wellspring of imagination, laughter, and wonder that lives within us. By moving from heaviness to lightness, the stall reminds us of all that childhood holds, mischief, colour, curiosity, and play, and how much of it still belongs to us. It is a celebration of that abundance, and an invitation to carry a little of it back into everyday life.

This stall will showcase vibrant creations by autistic individuals and marginalized communities. From beautiful products to behind-the-scenes stories, explore how creativity builds dignity, livelihoods, and financial independence—every purchase supports ongoing training and income opportunities.

The stall offers an interactive, experiential journey into the daily challenges faced by individuals living with dementia. Through engaging simulations, participants will experience firsthand the cognitive and physical difficulties associated with dementia. A short debriefing session and informative brochures will highlight how simple cognitive exercises at home can support brain health, reduce stigma, and foster empathy. The aim is to raise awareness, promote early detection, and encourage a more compassionate and informed community.

An immersive comic experience that explores the intersections of technology, autonomy, and emotional wellbeing. Sound Mind invites reflection on how technologies designed to help us cope or connect can also influence our inner worlds — our sense of control, empathy, and resilience, and augment our relationships. This is part of Human in the Loop, a participatory foresight and storytelling project exploring the near-future risks and unintended consequences of generative AI across sectors in India.