With an alarming rise of COVID-19 cases, yet again, there is panic, fear and anxiety all around. At our organization as well, we’ve had people personally affected by COVID-19, and relying on each other for emotional support has made us realize the value of restarting our support-group for those who want access to the same opportunity of feeling connected and supported through infection, symptoms, and recovery, for either themselves or their loved ones. As we continue to navigate through our healing process, we hope this group becomes a source of strength and light, and builds a community for those amidst isolation by affirming one another’s personal experiences, and talking one another through the tough times.

As our support-group is open, you can also join directly following the Meeting Room Login Details that we’ll constantly update in our Stories section! Currently, our support-group meets Fridays at 7 pm!

Why are we called The Cloud? A cloud is a phenomena that occurs when the water vapour that has evaporated and risen in the air condenses and starts forming droplets. In essence, The Cloud is a community made of individuals from different backgrounds (just like the water that’s evaporated from different sources like lakes, ponds, rivers, etc.) who come together with the weight of the different metaphorical baggage they all carry.

The Cloud is that platform for all individuals to drop their baggage and relieve themselves off the load they’ve been carrying. It is in this shared, safe space that enables catharsis where healing happens.

This group came into being in 2019, and it originally emerged as hosting two different support-groups for

* People struggling with anxiety, and
* People struggling with loss, grief and depression.

This was pre-COVID and we met twice a month. With COVID-19, we ran a support-group last year with flexible timings - sometimes four days a week - as there was a lot of distress and people needed constant help.

This year, with so many people distressed again, we are relaunching the group - currently, we are keeping it on two days:

1. Saturdays for people who just want to meet, play games, connect, because they are in isolation and want a light-hearted safe space;
2. Tuesdays for people who really want to talk about their struggles, and just have that space where they can emotionally process what they are feeling.

2019. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey since!

Everyone. It can be a great source of relief for healthcare workers and people on the frontline. We cannot begin to imagine what they go through in these difficult times. Segments like interactive games are a great way to simply have fun and feel good. We can exercise our minds and practice focusing on the here and now rather than other negative thoughts.

Join us with your family and enjoy the family time as well! Interacting with other members of the support groups will keep everyone’s spirits high and provide comfort, in the few ways that we can virtually.

We believe in a person-centred approach. We have our roots in Positive Psychology where we believe in focusing on every individual’s unique combination of strengths and helping them recognize and power through those to be the best version of themselves.

The group is an extension of Divya Srivastava’s private practice. Divya (She) is a counselling psychologist with almost a decade of experience. If members of the group require professional help, they are welcome to connect with her - we also have a repository of professionals we refer them to depending on whatever feels comfortable for them.

They get a link to the registration form. Once they fill the form, within 12-24 hours, a member of our team gets in touch with them and explains the entire process.

We have an icebreaker and an introductory activity in the case of open groups where the facilitator establishes group-rules, and briefs members of the theme of the session. We invite people to share what they are going through. The format is fluid, supported by some activities and questions in a semi-structured fashion. We do ensure we close with some mindfulness or meditation technique.

We truly value hope and we aspire to create a world where people can be themselves, fully embracing their vulnerabilities, and be sensitive to their own needs as well as the needs of others. We focus on strengths and on fueling positive emotions to help people be the best version of themselves.

To help them feel more hopeful, see the silver lining, and also to acknowledge the importance of taking care of their mental health.