Kelkkan × Studio Artkin: Bringing Mental Health and Creativity Together

Mental health is an essential part of our everyday lives, influencing how we think, feel, create and connect with others. Recognising the importance of making mental health conversations more approachable, Kelkkan.in and ArtKin came together for a collaboration in connection with World Mental Health Day 2026. Founded by Salman KV, Kelkkan.in is an online mental health platform focused on making professional counselling more accessible and affordable. ArtKin, founded by Fathima Hakkim, brings a creative perspective to the collaboration. A Meeting Exploring Art Therapy and Mental Well-being As part of the World Mental Health Day initiative, Kelkkan.in and ArtKin conducted a virtual meeting through Google Meet to explore art therapy and its connection to mental well-being. The meeting created an opportunity to discuss how creativity and mental health awareness can come together to encourage more open conversations about emotional well-being. It also explored the role of art therapy as an approach that can help people express and explore their emotions within an appropriate therapeutic setting. By bringing together perspectives from the mental health and creative communities, the meeting highlighted the value of exploring different ways to engage people in conversations about mental health. The collaboration reflected a shared interest in making mental health awareness more approachable and connecting creative communities with information about professional support. Salman KV Shares the Story Behind Kelkkan During the programme, Salman KV, founder of Kelkkan.in, shared the story behind the platform, the vision that inspired its creation, and what Kelkkan aims to achieve. He spoke about Kelkkan's mission to make professional mental health support more accessible and affordable, helping people discover therapists and explore online counselling services. The platform's vision centres on making it easier for people to find professional support, regardless of where they live. Through Kelkkan.in, people can explore therapist profiles and book online counselling sessions through a convenient digital experience. Salman's contribution brought a founder's perspective to the discussion, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and the need to make professional support easier to discover. Kelkkan aims to help people take steps towards their emotional well-being by making the process of finding and accessing counselling more approachable. Exploring Art Therapy: A Session Led by Maria As part of the World Mental Health Day collaboration, Maria led a virtual session introducing participants to art therapy and its connection to mental well-being. Conducted through Google Meet, the session introduced participants to the role of creative expression in exploring and communicating emotions. It offered an opportunity to learn about art therapy and how creative approaches can complement broader conversations about emotional well-being. The session highlighted the importance of understanding different approaches to mental health support while recognising that art therapy is a specialised practice that should be facilitated by appropriately qualified professionals. Through this session, the collaboration connected creative expression with mental health awareness and encouraged participants to learn more about the relationship between creativity and emotional well-being. Appreciation for Accessible Mental Health Services An important aspect of the collaboration was the conversation around making professional mental health support more accessible and affordable. Fathima Hakkim, founder of ArtKin, appreciated Kelkkan's focus on affordability in online mental health services. Accessible pricing can be an important consideration for people who want professional support but find the cost of counselling a barrier. Kelkkan aims to help people explore therapist profiles and access online counselling services through a convenient digital platform. Its approach focuses on making professional support easier to discover while helping people understand their available options. The discussion reinforced the importance of considering affordability when working towards more accessible mental health support. Bringing Mental Health into Creative Spaces Creative individuals experience a wide range of emotions and challenges, from self-doubt and uncertainty to the pressure of meeting expectations. Creating spaces where people can discuss mental health openly can help build greater understanding and awareness. The collaboration between Kelkkan and ArtKin brought together different perspectives on mental health through the exploration of art therapy, the sharing of Kelkkan's founding vision, and conversations about affordable counselling. The initiative highlighted how collaborations across mental health and creative communities can create opportunities to discuss emotional well-being in approachable and meaningful ways. Looking Beyond World Mental Health Day Observed annually on October 10, World Mental Health Day serves as a reminder that mental health deserves attention throughout the year. For Kelkkan, the collaboration with ArtKin represents part of its broader effort to make mental health conversations more approachable and professional counselling easier to discover. By bringing together creative communities, mental health education and a focus on affordability, the initiative encouraged conversations about emotional well-being and access to support. About Kelkkan.in Kelkkan.in is an online mental health platform founded by Salman KV. It helps people explore therapist profiles and access online counselling services, with a focus on making professional mental health support more accessible and affordable. Website: https://kelkkan.in About ArtKin ArtKin is a creative studio founded by Fathima Hakkim.