Week 2: Symphonies of Collaboration

Week 2: Symphonies of Collaboration
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Collaboration, much like a classical Indian ensemble, mirrors the harmony of diverse instruments—such as the sitar, tabla, and flute—coming together to create a mesmerizing raag. Each musician contributes their unique skill and sound, but it’s only through their collective harmony that the full beauty of the music is revealed. This week at Sangath, I was immersed in this symphony of collaboration, witnessing firsthand how a diverse team can work together to achieve shared goals.

The week began with a two-day offsite meeting focused on the progress and development of Project Metropolis. This gathering illuminated the scale and scope required for such a significant initiative. For the first time, I met the entire team, including the Principal Investigator and research coordinators from OP Jindal University, King’s College London, and lived experience experts from Youth for Mental Health. Meeting this expanded team was eye-opening, revealing the extensive manpower necessary for successful execution. I was also surprised to discover that this was the first time the entire research team had convened in person.

Despite having joined just five days prior, I was actively involved in the meeting discussions. I took on responsibilities such as organizing and facilitating team-building exercises, as well as managing logistics like timekeeping and note-taking. Engaging in these tasks was gratifying, and I appreciated the team’s openness to feedback and their collaborative spirit. This willingness to both offer and accept constructive criticism is essential in leadership and research, fostering a productive and inclusive environment. Observing the team dynamics, I noted how valuing each member’s contributions is crucial for maintaining motivation and ensuring that everyone feels integral to the project.

A personal milestone for me this week was overcoming my initial reluctance to speak up. Joining a new team often comes with the challenge of navigating boundaries and finding my place, a concern that had been a major apprehension going into an LiA when you are an outsider. The comfort and openness of the Sangath team provided me with the confidence to voice my ideas and observations. For instance, I contributed to discussions about the control intervention for Metropolis, sharing insights from my experiences at the University of Toronto about the importance of study skills, which are not commonly taught in India but are critical for academic success. I also questioned the necessity of gender-based group divisions in focus groups and shared my experiences with cognitive interviews, suggesting ways to simplify the process. These contributions highlighted the value of sharing one’s voice and ideas, even as an outsider, and underscored the importance of prioritizing the ideas and knowledge of all team members.

On the third day, we held a full team discussion on Baatcheet. I was responsible for conducting statistical analyses on the website intervention's effectiveness. However, discrepancies between my analysis and that of a colleague led us to decide to postpone this section and revisit it later. While I felt embarrassed about the potential errors in my calculations, I see this as a valuable learning opportunity. With several weeks remaining in my internship, I am eager to refine my quantitative analysis skills and learn from these experiences.

This week provided significant opportunities to engage in two knowledge dissemination events, highlighting the critical role of translating research into practical, accessible solutions. The first event, hosted by the Being Initiative, launched the report Mapping Youth Mental Health Landscapes: Local Insights from 13 Countries. This comprehensive analysis not only identified key factors—such as family functioning, mental health literacy, and academic pressure—that shape youth mental health globally, but also emphasized how these insights can inform funding priorities and drive innovation. The ability to translate such research into real-world strategies ensures that mental health initiatives are grounded in evidence and adapted to local contexts, making them more effective and impactful.

The “Human Library” aspect of the event brought this translation process to life by amplifying the voices of psychiatrists, educators, students with lived experience, and social workers. Their contributions made it clear that diverse, lived experiences are essential in shaping interventions that are inclusive and relevant to those they aim to serve.

The second event showcased Sangath’s dissemination of a chat-bot intervention for depression in rural India, demonstrating how research findings can be applied in practical ways to improve mental health outcomes in under-resourced areas. This highlights the importance of knowledge translation in bridging the gap between academic research and its real-world application, ensuring that scientific discoveries reach communities in need.

Both events illustrated how crucial it is to move beyond generating knowledge to actively disseminating and applying it in ways that are culturally relevant and accessible. Observing my colleagues' network at these events also reinforced the importance of building professional relationships to amplify the impact of knowledge translation—something I’m eager to develop further.

Through observation and active participation, I have gained valuable insights into effective collaboration, the significance of feedback, and the impact of knowledge dissemination. The symphony of collaboration at Sangath has not only enriched my understanding but also inspired me to continue growing both professionally and personally.



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