The rise of women’s cricket in Nepal: A story of triumph and tenacity

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Why the bill to ‘regulate’ social media should be either totally revised or withdrawn

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Why wetlands should be saved

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Re-thinking Energy: Biomass modernization and electrification in Nepal

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Rethinking Kathmandu through fluid boundaries of imagination

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The ‘chiya-guff’ approach to mental health

Youth Thinkers’ Society collaborated with Happy Minds for a ‘Chiya-Guff’ session on work-life balance mental health in the 100 Spaces on 21st July 2024. The session was facilitated by Aditya Dangol, a clinical psychologist at Happy Minds specifically designed for employees of Youth Thinkers’ Society. 

Youth Thinkers’ Society has only recently concluded its 9th edition of Everest International Model United Nations 2024. Recognizing the mental strains and post-event stresses, the organization deemed it necessary to hold this session. With the ease of chiya and the setting of ambiance in the 100 Spaces, the employees could explore their stresses and strengths in workplaces. The members were able to reflect on their experiences, and their coping behaviors while prospecting upon new perspectives of viewing stresses and maintaining work-life balance. 

The session was interactive and engaging which helped the members grow more comfortable in sharing their disparities and internal conflicts. “The session enriched the perspectives of members of each other and how they work around each other. This also helped in gratifying the shared experience they had during the highs and lows of the event.”, shares one of the team members of YTS. Mental health is often associated with self-care and more generally with mental illnesses and it is only rare that the concept broadens into positive psychology and group settings. ‘Work-life balance is more than a fashion phrase’, this notion has only started budding in the market these days. Prioritizing the concept that we might need to consider the mental and physical health of employees is a requisite for the utmost efficient productive outcomes. 

During the session, facilitators from Happy Minds guided discussions on various topics, including the importance of self-care, work-life balance, and available resources for mental health support. The interactive format of the session, combined with the warmth of “Chiya-Guff,” allowed participants to feel heard and validated. The employees said they left the session feeling better about themselves than the initial mood they came with, and also more connected with their colleagues, recognizing that they are not alone in their struggles.

“This session reminded me that it’s okay to talk about stress and mental health. We’re all in this together,” one employee said after the session. With continued support and initiatives focused on mental wellness, YTS has indeed taken another step towards building resiliency and a positive work culture.