
Arriving in Delhi after a grueling fifteen-hour flight, I was filled with a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. Although my birthday had largely passed while I was in the air, I spent the last few hours of it in the city, brimming with anticipation for the opportunities that awaited me during my Leadership in Action Summer.
Settling into my AirBnB in the galis of Saket, a more traditional and close-knit part of South Delhi, I was struck by the contrast to Toronto’s modernity. The galis are a world unto themselves—lined with modest homes, small dukaanen, and frequently visited by stray cows and dogs. The vibrant street life, characterized by the bustling energy of market vendors and the constant hum of auto rickshaws, offered a fascinating glimpse into a different tempo of life.
My first full day was dedicated to familiarizing myself with the city and planning my route to the Sangath office. Sangath is a non-governmental organization dedicated to improving health across the lifespan by leveraging community resources, with a particular focus on innovative mental health interventions for urban youth in India. Although my official start date was Monday, June 3rd, I couldn't resist visiting the office early on Friday, May 31st. This visit provided an invaluable opportunity to meet Dr. Pattie Gonsalves, the Principal Investigator, and Research Coordinator Dhriti Mittal, with whom I had been in contact for several months. I also met the other research coordinators and ended up joining their two-hour weekly meeting. During this meeting, I was introduced to the ongoing projects and listened in on their discussions. I was eager to absorb all I could, and my enthusiasm for the work grew with each new detail. The warm reception from the Sangath team was reassuring; their openness made me feel welcomed despite being an outsider.
The weekend brought its own set of obstacles. The AirBnB I had chosen fell short of expectations—key amenities like air conditioning and a refrigerator were missing, and navigating transportation from my gali was challenging, especially in the record-breaking 50-degree Delhi heat. The difficulties of adjusting to a new city without adequate support or resources were daunting. Frustrated by the situation, I considered relocating to a different accommodation. However, I ultimately decided to stay, valuing the proximity to my work and my commitment to fully immerse myself in the community. I recognized my privilege, understanding that my background in Toronto had afforded me comforts and opportunities that many locals do not have. With this awareness, I aimed to be adaptable and respectful in my new environment. I was grateful for the Sangath team, who quickly offered assistance to help me navigate these challenges. Additionally, the support from my UofT Laidaw cohort, who checked in and provided encouragement, was invaluable during this period of adjustment.
Monday marked the start of my internship at Sangath, with the week focused on orientations and foundational readings for the Baatcheet and Metropolis projects. Both address youth mental health in India through innovative approaches. Baatcheet, a peer-delivered program, provides coping strategies and fosters connections for students with anxiety or depression, emphasizing youth participation for relevance and effectiveness. Metropolis advances early interventions for youth depression, using problem-solving and behavioral activation, and aims to make interventions scalable and accessible through peer counselors and community providers. Both projects focus on task-sharing and rigorous evaluation to inform policy and practice.
Initially, I was frustrated by the slow pace of progress on my deliverables, feeling that the week of readings and orientations was not advancing my practical contributions. However, my supervisor’s guidance helped me reframe this perspective. The foundational knowledge gained from these readings is essential for implementing a community-based approach effectively and ethically, highlighting the importance of thorough preparation in leadership.
My first week has been a whirlwind of new experiences and challenges. Immersing myself in the vibrant life of Delhi and the impactful projects at Sangath has been both exciting and aligned closely with my research interests. As I move forward, I’m eager to contribute meaningfully to these innovative initiatives and fully embrace the learning opportunities ahead.
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