Bengaluru, May 26: Manotsava, India’s National Mental Health Festival, will return for its third edition on December 5–6, 2026, in Bengaluru. The festival is organised by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), as a free and public platform dedicated to advancing conversations on mental health and wellbeing.
Building on the success of its second edition held in November 2025, which brought together over 6,000 participants across more than 80 sessions—including expert-led panels, keynote conversations, sharing circles, workshops, performances, and community stalls Manotsava continues to serve as a collaborative space for dialogue and learning.
The festival brings together research, lived experiences, art, practice, and community knowledge, co-created by artists, researchers, practitioners, caregivers, individuals with lived experience, and changemakers. It aims to make mental health conversations more accessible while strengthening connections to communities of care and support.
For its 2026 edition, Manotsava places a stronger emphasis on accessibility and community participation, with special encouragement for programme proposals in Kannada to deepen local engagement and inclusivity. Individuals and organisations working in mental health and its intersections are invited to submit programme proposals across diverse formats that foster dialogue, participation, reflection, and understanding.
Programme submissions are now open and must be submitted exclusively through the official proposal form. Submissions sent via email or any other channel will not be considered.