The Hindu : New Delhi News : Jagjit Singh is goodwill ambassador for mental health

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 20, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Jagjit Singh is goodwill ambassador for mental health

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, FEB. 19. Having soothed many a ruffled souls in the past with his songs, Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh is now all set to don the mantle of an `ambassador' for mental health. From lending his voice for social causes to voicing his concern for them, the singer is now taken up a new role by becoming the ambassador for mental health care from Snehi, a voluntary organisation providing psycho social support for those suffering from mental distress.

To commemorate Snehi's tenth anniversary and his collaboration with the organisation, a special fund raising Ghazal evening featuring Jagjit Singh was held at the Siri Fort Auditorium on Saturday.

"Often people suffering from mental distress are kept away from social life. The ignorance about the problem needs to be addressed by creating awareness about it. These days students are under high stress because of their studies and high competition in admission,'' he said.

Describing his effort as a drop in the ocean, the singer when asked about the entertainment industry's contribution in such social matters, Jagjit Singh remarked that while some people did it silently, there were others who did it for their business promotions.

"Students have such a high level of stress today. What makes it worse for them is the reservation policy that decreases the number of seats available to them and increases the competition. Admissions should be on the basis of merit, specially in fields like medicine, where many future lives are going to be in the hands of these students,'' Singh said.

With mental distress on the rise in the country, Snehi director, Abdul Mabood, said youngsters formed a majority of the high stress group, with the change in lifestyle being cited as one of the major reason for the increasing number. While pointing out `poverty' of relationship and friendship was one of the major problems cited by most youngsters, Snehi officials said domestic violence and marital discovered were two other issues that most people called for getting counselling.

And with examinations fast approaching, the calls are only increasing at Snehi's counselling services.

"Unlike popular perception, it is not just students with low marks who call. In fact, there has been an increase in the number of calls from high performers. They are students who are already toppers, but are anxious to know how they can improve their scores to ensure a seat in a good college. For them, it is a matter of keeping up the prestige,'' said Jyoti Upplenchwar of Snehi.

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