On behalf of the STAR Scholars Network
On this World Mental Health Day (10 October 2025), the STAR Scholars Network proudly joins the global call led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilize collective efforts to ensure mental well-being for all (WHO, 2025).
At STAR, we recognize that mental health is essential for academic excellence, leadership, and global change. Through our Academic Wellness Ambassador initiative, we empower scholars to promote resilience, self-care, and community well-being. In 2024, twenty-six ambassadors were trained in Kathmandu, Nepal. This year, we continue this effort at the 2025 STAR Global Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, equipping a new cohort of ambassadors to serve their academic communities.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Narketta Sparkman-Key, Vice President of Academic Wellness, whose leadership has made this initiative a cornerstone of our network. Her relentless effort has led to an increased focus on wellness globally through her partnerships with country-specific Academic Wellness Directors. Directors currently reside in several countries including Nepal, India, and the United States. The wellness directors are working together to create global tools and resources that promote wellness and dismantle stigma associated with mental health within their respective countries and academic environments.
We are particularly proud of the remarkable impact of Dr. Pulkit Khanna, Academic Wellness Director of India. In her recently published “Digital Digest” (available here: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/a738014a7d.html), she documents a series of structured interventions and initiatives across Indian universities. These include:
Implementation of peer-led wellness modules integrating mindfulness, stress management, and emotional resilience training in campus curricula,
Workshops and digital publications to build awareness and literacy around mental health for both students and faculty,
A scalable model for “wellness corners” on campuses—safe spaces for dialogue, reflection, and support embedded within university systems,
The development and dissemination of localized resources (in multiple Indian languages) to reach diverse student populations.
Through these efforts, Dr. Khanna has helped reduce stigma, increase help-seeking behavior, and build sustainable wellness ecosystems in higher education institutions across India. The magazine presents detailed case studies of universities where student stress metrics declined and the uptake of counseling services improved following her programs.
We also acknowledge the deeply impactful work of esteemed LP Bhanu Sharma, life coach, wellness practitioner, and Guru, whose mentorship in mindfulness, meditation, and yoga has transformed the lives of scholars across our global community.
As WHO reminds us, World Mental Health Day is an opportunity not only to reflect but also to act. The STAR Scholars Network remains committed to fostering a culture where mental wellness is prioritized, stigma is dismantled, and every scholar is supported to thrive.
Together, we will continue to integrate wellness into scholarship—because a healthy mind is the foundation for a just, inclusive, and innovative world.
Uttam Gaulee, PhD
President, STAR Scholars Network