Tekion, an AI-native automotive platform company, has partnered with NGO Mind and Matter to address mental health issues among students in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, aiming to reach over 10,000 students this year. Under its CSR initiative “Tekion for Good,” the partnership strives to break the stigma surrounding mental health by making resources accessible to underprivileged communities in semi-urban and rural areas. Deepika Appaiah, Founder of Mind and Matter, emphasized the importance of normalizing mental health as an essential part of society.
The program focuses on children, teenagers, parents, and teachers in both government and private educational institutions. A distinctive feature of the initiative is its vernacular approach, offering activity-based sessions and mental health resources in regional languages to ensure accessibility for all, regardless of linguistic background. The curriculum, developed by NIMHANS, is delivered by trained volunteers to create safe spaces and supportive environments within schools.
Santosh Golecha, Head of Chennai Engineering Center at Tekion, pointed out that while mental health is often perceived through an urban, elite lens, resilience is a universal need. He emphasized that the sessions are not just about raising awareness, but equipping the next generation with tools to build a healthy and balanced future. The program also aims to establish a sustainable volunteer ecosystem for long-term mental health awareness and support. The first mental well-being session was held at the Sir Mutha School in Chennai, with 180 students participating.
In addition to the school-based program, Tekion is supporting the expansion of Mind and Matter’s “Sundays for Mental Health” program in various Indian cities, including Chennai, Puducherry, and Bengaluru. This initiative offers resilience-building workshops in public spaces for people of all ages. Over the past five years, Mind and Matter has positively impacted over 27,000 lives through mental health advocacy and preventive modules. Their “Music for Mental Health” initiative has received national recognition for its innovative and inclusive approach to wellness.
