Director backs mental health warriors at awards event

Mumbai: Filmmaker Prakash Jha came out in support of mental health warriors and prodded people to treat mental health issues on a par with physical issues. “When you have an accident, heart attack, you run to the doctor. But when we have an emotional breakdown, we hush it. Unmute yourself,” said the director at the fourth edition of The Restore Awards held at Taj Lands End in Bandra.

The annual event, started in 2019 to empower people to voice their physical and emotional sufferings, recognises healers, doctors and sustainability entrepreneurs.

Among the winners was 24-year-old Karan Shah , a wheelchair-bound muscular dystrophy patient pushing the BMC to make wheelchair-friendly toilets. The winners included gynaecologist Dr Deepti Pinto Rosario who devotes her post- work hours to spreading awareness around women’s sexual, reproductive and postpartum health issues. Chaise Freidman , a Los Angeles-based warrior who, within two years, defied the diagnosis that he would never walk again after becoming paralysed neck down, also made it to the list.

“These awards ensure that people working at the grassroots level who impact mental health are heard,” said Rachna Chhachhi, founder, The Restore Awards.tnn