In a move to foster a culture of emotional resilience and community support, K J Somaiya Institute of Management (KJSIM) has launched ‘SAHARA’, a campus-wide initiative aimed at improving mental wellness for students, faculty, and staff.
The programme was formally introduced at an on-campus event attended by faculty members, students, mental health professionals, and wellness partners. Far from being a symbolic gesture, the launch marked a deeper shift toward normalising mental health conversations and creating accessible support systems within academic settings.
SAHARA — an acronym for Support, Awareness, Healing, Acceptance, Resilience, and Action — is envisioned as an institutionally backed support structure. It brings together a multidisciplinary team comprising faculty mentors and student council members with backgrounds in law, psychology, and the social sciences. Together, they aim to address mental wellness through a blend of counselling, peer engagement, and preventive education.
“We often perceive our struggles as weaknesses, something that we don’t talk about,” said Professor Raman Ramachandran, Director of KJSIM, during the launch. “At KJSIM, your challenges matter as much as your achievements, and you don’t have to face them alone.”
Leading the initiative is Ms. Arti Bhargava, Senior Manager & Head – Admin and Operations. She outlined the program’s key components:
Confidential counselling (on campus and online) Access to Phybercare’s wellness app Year-long workshops and awareness campaigns Safe, moderated spaces for open dialogue
The newly formed SAHARA Wellness Team — a group of trained professionals, faculty coordinators, and student volunteers — will anchor activities throughout the academic year.
Through a combination of digital tools and human-led interventions, KJSIM hopes to create an environment where mental health is approached proactively, not reactively.
Business school environments are often marked by intense academic pressure, competitive peer dynamics, and the constant drive to perform — all of which can take a toll on students’ mental health. The fast-paced curriculum, placement anxiety, and the expectation to balance academics with networking and extracurriculars create a high-stress ecosystem. Amid these demands, students may struggle with anxiety, burnout, or feelings of isolation. Addressing mental wellness on campus is no longer optional — it’s essential for nurturing not just capable professionals, but also emotionally resilient individuals prepared for the challenges of leadership and life beyond the classroom.
Update : Minor editing / update on 20th August 2025, 2121 hr.
