Umang Sheth is all heart. Having seen him bounding across the stage hosting GayBombay Parents’ Meets for over a decade since 1999, getting parents of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders to open up about the issues they and their families were facing, to establishing two dynamic organizations that have their finger on the pulse of the desires and needs of the queer community – Mr. & Mr., a gay matchmaking service founded in 2021, to Hugging Club of India, founded in 2017, which provides essential support to LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies dealing with mental illness. A speaker, counsellor and change enabler,

Umang has always been innovative –  whether helping individuals to find life partners in a healthy and supportive environment, or his dedication to mental health and community support.His journey as an LGBTQIA+ rights and support champion began with co-founding GayBombay in 1998, India’s first social support group for the LGBTQIA+ community. Over the 25 years, he has played an important role in sensitising society and promoting acceptance of alternate sexualities.

On Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 5 to 9pm, The Hugging Club of India celebrated 8 years of breaking stigma around mental health. It was a special anniversary event in Mumbai this Mental Health Month. What started eight years ago as a simple dream—to remove the stigma around mental health and provide a safe space for healing—today stands tall as one of India’s most unique community-led initiatives:

The Hugging Club of India (HCI). HCI has touched the lives of thousands through its support groups, conversations, and campaigns, proving that something as simple and human as a hug can spark profound change.

This year’s event as part of World Mental Health Month, featured distinguished voices in the field of mental health, led by Chief Guest, Dr. Anjali Chhabria (Founder, Mindtemple), one of India’s leading psychiatrists. Sharing her insights, Dr. Chhabria highlighted the science behind hugging: “When you feel down and out, all you need is a hug from a dear one. Hugging someone releases calming neuro-hormones like oxytocin, which reduce stress and anxiety and help you cope with situations better.”

Celebrated in Quorum, a space in The Lalit, a hotel in Andheri East Mumbai, the event brought together changemakers, mental health advocates, and community members to break silence, share stories, and build compassion.

It was extraordinary to see the HCI working hard in unison to achieve these admirable goals. Speaking on behalf of GayBombay, a supporter and well-wisher organization of HCI, Balachandran Ramiah, co-founding core member of GayBombay spoke feelingly about Umang’s extraordinary journey.

Of how he has harnessed his emotional availability and intelligence, and taken a challenging set of circumstances in his family life, in order to help others. “Umang is like a flower, which when crushed underfoot, spreads fragrance”, said one of the attendees.

“Eight years ago, we started with a simple idea—to create a safe, stigma-free space for people to share their mental health journeys. Today, HCI is more than a club—it’s a movement. Together, we can build a future where mental well-being is a shared priority”, asserted Umang Sheth.

This nonprofit initiative dedicated to removing the stigma around mental illness received a warm welcome from all the attendees as well, who had scores of questions for Ms. Chhabria.

It only showed the urgent need for a  support group where individuals can openly talk about mental health challenges, find empathy, and embrace the healing power of connection, in all metros in India. To  know more, email thehuggingclubofindia@gmail.com or call (+91)9323034620.