Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 2
Coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day, the Global Shapers Community Kohima Hub will be organising “Run for Hope 2026,” a 5Km Run for Mental Health Awareness on September 10 in Kohima to raise awareness around mental health, suicide prevention, and the importance of creating communities “where people feel supported, heard, and valued.”
This was announced during a press conference at Fifa Restaurant, Kohima, on September 2.
“Through this initiative, we hope to bring greater public attention to mental health and encourage conversations around seeking support, building empathy, and strengthening community-based approaches to suicide prevention,” the organisers stated.
Dr Kivi Swu, Impact Officer of the Global Shapers Community Kohima Hub, said that the Global Shapers Community is an initiative of the World Economic Forum, a network connecting young changemakers aged 18–30, committed to driving dialogue and action within their communities.
She said the Kohima Hub translates this mission through initiatives that bring communities together across sectors to address local challenges.
“Our work is rooted in the belief that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow—we are also capable of creating meaningful solutions and impact today,” Dr Swu said.
The event is supported in various forms by the Department of Youth Resources & Sports, Government of Nagaland; Sevie Auto; Lirunas; JP Park and Banquet; Vekhosa Kotso, Retd. IPS; Assam Rifles; MY Bharat; The Insighter; Fifa Restaurant; Mewi Higher Secondary School; Hillsink; Cache Naga; Nagaland Bodybuilding & Fitness Association; Mindspace; and Craate Gift.
“Run for Hope is not simply an event that you come to watch or participate in. It is an invitation to be part of something bigger—to show up, to support one another, and to contribute in whatever way we can,” she said.
Dr Swu expressed confidence that through the initiative, “we can bring different sections of our community together and demonstrate what becomes possible when people come together with a shared purpose.”
‘Every step gives hope’
Rovikhono Savino, a psychologist and Project Lead for the event, said Run for Hope 2026 is a community initiative by the Global Shapers Community Kohima Hub under the theme ‘Every Step Gives Hope.’
The idea is to bring people together through a 5-kilometre community run to create more openness around mental health, suicide prevention and the importance of community support, she said.
“The challenge is not simply whether mental-health services exist,” Savino stated, adding, “It is whether people feel safe enough to reach out, whether families know how to respond, and whether communities can have these conversations without judgement or stigma.”
“We want to create a space where talking about mental health does not feel unusual or uncomfortable—where people can participate, show solidarity, and remind one another that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness,” Savino said.
The event will take place at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, at 4:30 AM.
Community members aged 18 and above have been invited to join the event.
She said the registration fee has been fixed at Rs 100, and 100% of the registration proceeds will go directly towards identified NGOs working in mental health and suicide prevention.
“We are hoping to bring together community members, and we also want participation from people across different backgrounds—because suicide prevention and mental health are not issues belonging to one particular group,” she said.
“We don’t see this as just another community run,” Savino said, adding, “We see it as a meaningful step towards building a culture where people feel seen, supported, and more comfortable asking for help.”
Prize money
Imlikokla Jamir, a Marketing Strategist and founder of The Insighter, said, “It is our first time, for both The Insighter and the Global Shapers Kohima Hub, taking a large-scale initiative focused specifically on mental health.”
“Looking at the insights so far, the response has been truly promising and honestly exceeded our expectations,” she said, adding that over 90 individuals have registered for the event so far.
This multi-sectoral collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building a culture where mental health is openly discussed and support is accessible, she said.
She informed that the winner in the amateur category (male and female) will get Rs 7,000, while the second- and third-position holders will receive Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000, respectively.
The winner in the professional category for both male and female will also be awarded Rs 7,000, while the second- and third-position holders will receive Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000, respectively.
The last date for registration has been fixed for September 8.
For more details and participation, one can reach the organisers through the Instagram handle @globalshaperskohima or at globalshaperskohima@gmail.com.
