Hyderabad, October 28, 2025: The Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO), a chapter of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), hosted a powerful and introspective session titled “Invisible Selves – Insights into Mental Health” at ITC Kakatiya, Begumpet.
The event featured Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust and founder of Mpower, in conversation with Ms. Shoma Choudhury, award-winning journalist and founder of Lucid Lines. The discussion delved deep into emotional well-being, societal stigma, and the importance of building a culture of empathy.
YFLO Chairperson Ms. Pallavi Jain opened the session, stressing that “mental health is not a luxury anymore – it’s a necessity.” She highlighted Mpower’s remarkable impact in sensitising over six lakh educators across India on issues related to mental well-being.
Reflecting on her personal journey, Mrs. Birla revealed that her daughter’s struggle with mental illness became the driving force behind her advocacy for the 200 million Indians facing mental health challenges. “Illness doesn’t discriminate,” she said, recalling her own recurring experience with postpartum depression.
Citing alarming statistics, Mrs. Birla noted that one in four teenagers in India experiences mental health issues, while 16% of the country’s population is affected overall. She urged parents to stay emotionally connected with their children to identify early warning signs triggered by bullying or online abuse, adding that “we must make the invisible illness visible” through greater awareness, empathy, and infrastructure.
Speaking on the rise in mental health awareness in South India, Mrs. Birla said, “At Mpower, we have seen a marked increase in women from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana reaching out for support through our helpline. This reflects growing awareness and self-prioritisation.”
She also announced Mpower’s association with FICCI FLO Hyderabad to expand conversations around perimenopause and menopause, stages that deeply affect women’s emotional well-being but often go unspoken. “By normalising these dialogues and placing mental health at the centre of empowerment, we can help women navigate these transitions with strength, confidence, and dignity,” she stated.
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A segment, where audience members discussed children’s mental health, women’s hormonal changes, and the emotional guilt many women silently carry.
Mrs. Birla ended the session with a heartfelt message about “creating an environment and ecosystem of care and empathy,” followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Rupal Bansal.
