Stories that Inspire

Confused? Let me explain. There was a confluence of three different entities – the outcome? Hold on, let me introduce them first.

• Entity 1 – McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School affiliate (www.mcleanhospital.org). Education and advocacy are key elements of the McLean mission, and the hospital has a deep-seated commitment to improving knowledge and understanding of psychiatric disorders and their treatments globally. 
• Entity 2 – Dr. N.S. Vahiya foundation (NSVF) (http://vahiafoundation.org). NSVF aims to enhance neuropsychiatry in India. They have hosted educational programmes for young psychiatrists & other mental health professionals on subjects related to newer developments in the field of mental health.
• Entity -3 Nehru Science Center (NSC) is one of four national science centers in India and as a part of its activities, the center organises regular extensive science education programs. It is visited by more than 700,000 people annually. Close to 1.2 million school children alone have participated in the activities of the center. The NSC incorporates innovative ways to communicate science to enhance public understanding of science and spread scientific literacy.

McLean Hospital in association with Dr N.S. Vahia Foundation and Nehru Science Centre,  organised a seven-day exhibition and a series of lecture demonstrations on ‘Exploring Brain and Mental Health’, at Nehru Science Centre. The event was held between February 11, 2019, and February 17, 2019.

The Outcome: This event sponsored many schools from remote parts of Maharashtra, to visit Nehru Centre. As part of the event, the organisers took care of the transport expenses and food. The children were shown around the Nehru centre. They attended some excellent shows and experienced Science, which explained many wonders of the world. They were then taken to a special exhibition hall where the exhibition was set up by McLean and NSVF, explaining the most wonderful computer that every human being owns – their brain. Enthusiastic young volunteers were explaining these children parts of the brain with a model. Children were allowed to touch and handle these parts.  Additionally, they were given a cap and a box of present.

The entire atmosphere at Nehru centre was charged. There were battalions of children from various schools, marching with their teachers. There were spots where edutainment shows were conducted by enthusiastic youth volunteers. There were these three – managing the entire event.

It is recommended that schools and parents visit Nehru Centre not just once but a multiple times to ensure that the students get their scientific concepts clear and in the long run it will benefit them in their school exams. This is also to thank, applaud and congratulate the excellent work which McLean and NSVF are doing…