About Us
Our origin story
The Hugging Club of India began with a simple, heartfelt idea: no one should have to battle mental illness alone.
In 2017, our founder Umang Sheth tragically lost a close friend to suicide. This loss opened his eyes to the urgent need for safe, supportive spaces where people could share their pain without judgment. Determined to honor his friend’s memory, Umang started HCI as a small support circle in Mumbai – a place where anyone feeling broken could come for a hug, a listening ear, and hope. What began as a handful of people in a room has grown into a nationwide movement of kindness and healing.
Today, HCI spans multiple cities and online communities, all rooted in that original mission: to remove the stigma around mental health and remind everyone that you are not alone and help is always within reach.
People of HCI
Founder’s Note
My mom didn’t choose schizophrenia. Schizophrenia chose her.
This insight was a turning point in my life.
Having grown up in a dysfunctional family, I carried a lot of shame and embarrassment about my mom having schizophrenia and my dad having bipolar disorder.
I grew up watching my mom talk to ghosts and spirits… telling my uncle that his late wife was sitting in our attic. My dad, whenever he got his salary, would go to gambling houses and not come home for days. I remember seeing my mom waiting and crying for him to return.
For the longest time, I thought this was about choices and character. But I finally understood that my dad doesn’t have a character flaw. He has a mental illness. And I have to fight the illness, not him.
And then, the death of my friend Vishal Tandon triggered me to start talking about mental illness openly. That’s when Dipen, Nayeem and I founded The Hugging Club of India in 2017
Team HCI
Behind HCI is a passionate team dedicating their time and hearts to our cause. We are a 100% volunteer-driven organization, which means everyone here is involved out of genuine care and commitment. Our team includes mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors) who volunteer their expertise, as well as people from all walks of life – students, working professionals, artists, and more – who simply believe in helping others. From session moderators and organizers to outreach coordinators and content creators, Team HCI works together like a family. We brainstorm ideas for meetups, ensure every online session has supportive facilitators, and even check in on members personally when they’re struggling. Team HCI’s mission is one: to ensure that anyone who reaches out for help finds a friend, hope, and a path forward. (And yes, we give great hugs!)
Values & Vision
Our Core Values
- Empathy & Compassion: We approach every individual with kindness, understanding, and without judgment. A simple hug or a listening ear can mean the world to someone in pain, and we never underestimate that.
- Peer Support & Inclusivity: HCI is for the people, by the people. Many of us have lived through mental health challenges, so we truly get it. We welcome everyone—of any age, gender, orientation, or background—because mental illness does not discriminate, and neither do we.
- Safe Space & Confidentiality: What’s shared in the Hugging Club stays in the Hugging Club. We ensure privacy and respect for everyone’s stories. By creating a safe, confidential space, we encourage members to open up and seek help without fear.
- Hope & Positivity: We believe in the power of hope. Even when discussions get heavy, we always remind each other that there’s light ahead. Our community focuses on positive steps forward—small wins, affirmations, and of course, healing smiles and hugs.
Our Vision
We envision a world where asking for help is never seen as weakness, and mental health is treated with the same care and openness as physical health. In our vision of the future, no one has to hide their pain or feel ashamed of their struggles. Instead, communities will rally together so that help is accessible, compassion is abundant, and stigma is a thing of the past. HCI strives to be a model for this future across India—one hug at a time.