Feb 29 2024 to Feb 29 2024 7 p.m.

EVENT HAS ENDED

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Both colonial and native authorities imagined Bangalore as a garden city and a place suited for health and recuperation. In doing so, they influenced the design, location, and configuration of its mental health institutions and its unique mental health infrastructure. Over the years, these institutions have in turn also shaped the city, with people from different parts of Karnataka and even India coming to the city for its healthcare and rehabilitation facilities. What can Bangalore tell us about creating an urbanism that is conducive to the mental wellbeing of its dwellers? What lessons can we learn from Bangalore’s particular experiences in mental healthcare for making our cities more attuned to the needs of those in psychosocial distress? The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience. This event is part of the ‘Listening to Voices’ project that documents audio stories about mental health in Bangalore. Our pilot installation, inspired by Itaru Sasuki’s windphone, will be open to the public from Feb 29th (5 pm) to March 5th (8 pm) at the BIC Garden area. Presented by Anmol Tikoo, Namma 560 Grantee. This Foundation Project is implemented by India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) under the Project 560 programme, made possible with support from Sony Pictures Entertainment Fund. Speakers Nirmala Srinivasan Sociologist & Mental Health Rights Activist Dr. Nirmala Srinivasan is a sociologist and a pioneer in mental health rights activism, for which she was awarded the Ashoka Fellowship. She is the founder of Families Alliance on Mental Illness, a pan-India advocacy group, and is a member of the Karnataka State Board for Disabilities. Sanjeev Jain Clinician & Teacher Dr. Sanjeev Jain is a clinician and teacher, who researches the genetic correlates of psychiatric and neurological diseases. He was a member of the Mental Health Policy drafting group and has written extensively about the history of psychiatry in India and the social determinants and policy issues in mental health. Anitha Suseelan Urban Designer Dr. Anitha Suseelan is an urban designer and currently the Head of Department, School of Architecture, Christ University. She is leading a team researching the cognitive and emotional impact of the urban built environment. Her published works include a monograph on the politics of land and water in Bangalore. Kavya Murthy Writer & Editor Kavya is a writer and editor based in Mysore, India. She supports community-driven women-run initiatives and endeavors. She has an abiding interest in wellness and mental health. She works with Champaca Bookstore, Bengaluru.