Archive · 22 Aug 2025
18-Year-Old's Initiative for Mental Health Awareness
Vaikhari, a teenager, started a group called Aatman to help kids with their mental health.
She used her own experience with anxiety and therapy to create helpful resources.
Aatman teaches students about emotions, substance abuse and how to get help.
They use workshops, booklets, and a radio show to reach many students.
Vaikhari wants to make mental health information easy to find and wants kids to know it's okay to seek help.
The group focuses on self-care methods, like meditation, and encourages seeking professional help when needed.
Vaikhari Sonawane, 18, founded Aatman to promote mental health awareness in Indian schools.
Sonawane experienced anxiety and used therapy to help herself, then wanted to help others.
Aatman provides workshops, booklets, and a radio show to reach students across India.
The organization operates with volunteer staff and focuses on accessible resources.
Sonawane aims to expand Aatman's booklet distribution and promote self-help strategies.
- Who
- Founded by Vaikhari Sonawane.
- What
- A student-led mental health awareness network.
- When
- Started as a school project, expanding over three years.
- Where
- Across India, particularly in Nashik.
- Why
- To make mental health awareness accessible to children.
Government Schools
Private Schools
Attitude Towards Mental Health
Government Schools
Students are open to help
Private Schools
Students associate mental health with shame
- Founder
- Vaikhari Sonawane
- Age of Founder
- 18
- Organization Name
- Aatman
- Focus
- Mental health awareness
- Reach
- Thousands of students across India
- Volunteers
- 350
- Funding Model
- Zero-investment