With the relentless intensity of the Delhi heat, I found myself fervently praying for rain. My prayers were answered. The torrential downpour provided a much-needed respite from the heat, but it also disrupted many of my plans.
This week, I continued my work on the public engagement scoping review for the It's Ok to Talk campaign. My task was to analyze the existing campaign strategy and explore other campaigns. However, the lack of a structured search strategy initially made this task difficult. Embracing a collaborative approach, I reached out to my supervisor for guidance. Together, we refined our focus to storytelling mental health campaigns with an emphasis on offline activities. This adjustment proved valuable, as it allowed us to create a more targeted search strategy and ensured that we didn’t overlook impactful campaigns. Asking for support and collaborating effectively are essential skills for any leader, and this experience highlighted their importance in navigating complex projects.
In collaborating with the public engagement officer, I discovered that the It's Ok to Talk campaign effectively uses art and diverse events to foster mental well-being. Key elements include story workshops, the Mann Mela youth festival, a video series, and a call for stories. These activities underscore the importance of building community through in-person and live engagement. Reflecting on these insights, I considered how to involve community organizations like Youth for Mental Health in our campaign. Understanding what would attract and retain young people, and encourage them to share the campaign, will be crucial. Engaging these organizations early could provide valuable perspectives and enhance our approach.
Recruitment for the two-day co-design workshop was another significant task this week. I continued reaching out to potential participants, managing communication via email, WhatsApp, and phone calls.
One of the major events this week was the weekend-long focus group discussion, where twenty participants were gathered to provide feedback on the clarity, relevance, and acceptability of study measures. However, the heavy rains led to severe flooding in my neighborhood, which prevented me from attending the first day of the session. The poor infrastructure in my area was a significant barrier, and it was incredibly frustrating to miss out on a day that involved crucial preparation and facilitation work. Despite the setback, I had to remind myself that weather conditions were beyond my control and reframing the situation helped me manage my frustration.
Determined to participate, I made a concerted effort to attend the second day of the focus group discussion. The journey took nearly two and a half hours, despite the destination being only thirty minutes away under normal circumstances. The delay was disheartening, but the experience at the Taj Mahal Hotel—an incredibly beautiful venue—was worth the effort. Meeting the participants and facilitating the discussion provided me with valuable insights into the importance of a community-based approach. Hearing directly from participants about the relevance of study measures highlighted the need for research to center marginalized voices, which is often overlooked. I also noted that a five-hour session can be taxing for participants and can diminish the quality of responses. Sharing these reflections with my team was important for improving future sessions.
Now I pray that it does not rain till I leave.