Bhawana Bora
Pune
Summary
A passionate,dynamic and purpose-driven mental health advocate and lifelong learner, grounded in Indic values and committed to holistic well-being, education, and community empowerment. With demonstrated leadership at Symbiosis Centre for Emotional Wellbeing, I bring experience in organizing awareness campaigns, peer support, research, and creative facilitation. My strengths lie in empathetic listening, authentic communication, and building safe, expressive spaces for individuals to thrive.
I believe in the power of small, consistent actions, rooted in love, simplicity, and compassion. Motivated by civic responsibility and a deep respect for nature, culture, and self-discovery, I aspire to work alongside purpose-led individuals, start-ups, and organizations solving pressing human and societal challenges—especially in the fields of education, emotional health, and sustainable development.
I love to introduce myself as an enthusiast, and an aeonian STUDENT & OBSERVER of Life and Self..I find joy in being around nature,listening to people stories of struggles and resilience,having deep conversations and writing "khats". Taking care of elderly, showering love and deeper connection keeps me blossoming..!!
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Psychological First Aid
1
1
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
1
1
Policy Bootcamp "Deepening Democracy & Gearing- up Governance"
1
1
year of post-secondary education
Work History
Community Development Director
The Emelie Foundation
07.2025 - Current
- Enhanced community engagement by developing and implementing strategic outreach programs.
- Engaging with potential and existing beneficiaries.
- Understand their stories, needs, challenges, and aspirations.Facilitate sessions on confidence building,communication,self-expression and wellebing.
- Offer presence, guidance, and support beyond financial aid.
- Collaborating with the Board of Trustees.
- Represent the on-ground pulse of the Foundation.Offer insights and ideas to grow the Foundation's reach.
- Driving strategic growth across India.
- Expand the vision of The Emelie Foundation to more geographies and communities.
- Promoted volunteerism within the community by establishing effective recruitment campaigns and recognition events.
Mental Health Intern
PRATITI Center for Mental Health
04.2025 - 05.2025
- Supported daily living routines and rehabilitation goals of 50+ residents diagnosed with chronic mental health conditions, enhancing consistency and engagement in therapeutic practices at the psychosocial rehabilitation center.
- Increased awareness of mental health issues through interactions,community meetings and listening circles. Increased residents participation in integrative therapies such as drama,drum yoga, art by delivering psychoeducational sessions on therapeutic benefits.
- Conducted and professionally documented 5 detailed case histories from the male unit, working with individuals diagnosed with dementia, alcohol use disorder, personality disorders, OCD, and major depression (ages 23–63).
- Led self-expression sessions through letter writing and art therapy with 18 active participants, fostering emotional regulation, self-awareness, and therapeutic dialogue.
- Participated in case presentations, psychiatric consultations, and emergency admissions, gaining exposure to multidisciplinary case management processes in rehabilitation settings.
- Facilitated group recreational and cognitive stimulation activities (15–20 participants), including movement-based games, memory tasks, and music therapy—boosting motor coordination, social interaction, and mood in elderly clients.
- Observed and reported collaborative treatment planning involving psychiatrists, psychologists, home nurses,social workers, counselors,interns and , deepening understanding of integrated mental health care delivery.
- Closely observed behavioral patterns, symptomatic expressions, and interpersonal dynamics within the female ward (57 clients), contributing to team-based assessments.
Remedial Teaching Intern, Peer Buddy Support
Swadhaa Waldorf School
02.2025 - 03.2025
- Observed and supported remedial sessions rooted in Waldorf pedagogy, utilizing modalities like storytelling, sensory games, and art to create a calm, safe, and creative learning environment for children with diverse learning needs.
- Identified learning gaps in Grades 3–4 students by closely observing classroom behavior and academic performance, with a focus on children requiring additional academic and emotional support.
- Worked intensively with a Grade 3 student on the autism spectrum, identifying his unique strengths, triggers, and needs; reduced reliance on shadow teacher through structured independence-building interventions.
- Developed customized English and Math worksheets tailored to the student’s learning level, promoting confidence and comprehension in foundational skills like CVC word reading, dictation, and basic arithmetic.
- Facilitated behavioral improvement using positive reinforcement, short repetitive instructions, and sensory breaks—resulting in increased peer interaction, self-initiation in classroom tasks, and improved academic engagement.
- Conducted psychoeducation sessions with the shadow teacher, sensitizing them on autism spectrum disorder, effective teaching strategies, and the importance of empathy-driven learning.
- Collaborated with remedial educators, academic leads, and classroom teachers to co-create a supportive plan for the student’s continued growth, contributing key behavioral insights and academic suggestions.
- Presented a comprehensive observation and progress report, detailing the child’s behavioral patterns, academic growth, and recommendations for sustained improvement to the founder.
- Participated in Waldorf pedagogy training sessions led by the school’s founder and faculty, gaining foundational understanding of holistic, rhythm-based, and art-integrated education.
Market Research Intern
Toprankers (Udaan-Career Counseling Wing)
05.2024 - 06.2024
- Identified and monitored industry trends to stay ahead of competitors and address emerging market needs proactively.
- Contributed to a funded research project led by the Career Counseling Program Head, focused on analyzing successful career counseling organizations across India.
- Conducted comparative research on leading guidance and counseling platforms, studying their unique tools, interventions, psychometric frameworks, and measurable impact strategies.
- Engaged directly with career counselors to understand on-ground application of assessments and services; gained practical exposure to counseling tools and techniques.
- Utilized and analyzed career tests and psychometric assessments, compiling key findings into a structured, insight-driven report to inform future program strategy.
- Delivered regular progress updates and market insights to supervisors, ensuring clear communication and timely submission of research milestones.
- Explored emerging trends in career counseling, particularly the expanding demand in urban and Tier-II/III cities, contributing to data-backed strategy building for market expansion.
Peer Mentor
Itti's Skill School for Climate Action (ISSCA)
02.2024 - 05.2024
- Facilitated weekly sessions for a cohort of 45 Class 8 students to foster joyful learning, emotional literacy, and safe expression using roleplays, visual stories, and interactive exercises.
- Introduced concepts of emotions and mental health through creative self-expression spaces, helping students articulate feelings confidently and empathetically.
- Designed and delivered engaging activities to enhance students’ English speaking, confidence-building, and public expression skills, enabling stage participation and peer-sharing.
- Supported two students with learning difficulties through personalized academic assistance, improving their basic English comprehension and participation in class discussions.
- Conducted psychoeducational sessions on emotional well-being, stress, sleep hygiene, and grounding techniques (5-4-3-2-1, diaphragmatic breathing) to promote healthy coping practices.
- Collaborated with teachers to raise awareness on mental health-friendly classroom strategies, emphasizing empathy, patience, and effective communication with students.
- Participated in organizing environment and values-based activities, including river drives, art projects, civic responsibility workshops, and cloth bag making to instill life skills,ecological consciousness with humane connectedness.
Mental Health Champion
Symbiosis Centre for Emotional Wellbeing
11.2022 - 09.2023
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility. Provided peer-to-peer emotional support through empathetic listening, active presence, and timely referrals to campus counselors, fostering a safe and approachable support system.
- Organized and led campus-wide mental health awareness campaigns on key topics like self-care, stress management, healthy coping, and mindfulness-based practices (e.g., mandala art).
- Spearheaded mental health events on World Mental Health Day, Suicide Prevention Day, International Happiness Day, and Schizophrenia Awareness Day, engaging 100+ students.
- Collaborated with fellow Champions and SCEW counselors in feedback sessions, reflection circles, and monthly planning meets to enhance outreach and intervention impact.
- Delivered a panel address on “Digital Media and its Impact on Mental Health” during a webinar hosted by SCEW, amplifying awareness among interdisciplinary student audiences.
- Cultivated inclusive, stigma-free dialogue spaces for students to share lived experiences, breaking silence around mental health and encouraging community healing.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Behavioural Health Sciences
Symbiosis International University (SIU)
Lavale,Pune,India05-2025
High School Diploma -
Gurukul International School
Haldwani, India 04.2019 - 07.2020
PG Diploma - Mindfulness Based Counseling - Listening With Embodied Presence
Just Being Center & St. Mira's College For Girls
Pune 07.2025 - Current
Skills
- Communication and collaboration
- Active listening
- Leadership
- Public Speaking
- Mental Health advocacy
- Research Skills
- Self-awareness
- Accountability
- Time management
- Interpersonal Communication
- Problem Solving
- Creative thinking and experiential facilitation
- Innovative program development
Certification
- Policy Bootcamp (Deepening Democracy & Gearing-up Governance (2023): Rishihood University,Sonipat,Haryana.
- Suicide Prevention: Empowering Students and Professionals in healthcare services (2023) by Maharashtra Institute of Mental Health.
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Hindi
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Marathi
Beginner (A1)
Timeline
Community Development Director
The Emelie Foundation
07.2025 - Current
PG Diploma - Mindfulness Based Counseling - Listening With Embodied Presence
Just Being Center & St. Mira's College For Girls
07.2025 - Current
Mental Health Intern
PRATITI Center for Mental Health
04.2025 - 05.2025
Remedial Teaching Intern, Peer Buddy Support
Swadhaa Waldorf School
02.2025 - 03.2025
Market Research Intern
Toprankers (Udaan-Career Counseling Wing)
05.2024 - 06.2024
Peer Mentor
Itti's Skill School for Climate Action (ISSCA)
02.2024 - 05.2024
Mental Health Champion
Symbiosis Centre for Emotional Wellbeing
11.2022 - 09.2023
High School Diploma -
Gurukul International School
04.2019 - 07.2020
Bachelor of Science - Behavioural Health Sciences
Symbiosis International University (SIU)
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