Overview
Mauritius government announced mental health as a national priority for schools and communities, launching the Compassion Unites programme founded by India‑born Dr. Ishan Shivanand. The launch was hosted by His Excellency Mr. Dharambeer Gokhool, President of the Republic, at State House on 8 July 2026.
Programme Details
The programme draws on one of India’s oldest knowledge systems, combining meditation, breathwork and martial‑arts‑derived resilience practices. Dr. Shivanand, raised in a monastery, codified these into structured protocols that have undergone clinical studies with leading U.S. universities. Peer‑reviewed international medical journals reported up to 80 % improvement in symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia. The protocols are already employed in clinical and corporate settings worldwide, including at Google.
National Implementation
Mauritius becomes the first nation to adopt the programme at a population level. The first national event, titled “Compassion Unites,” will stage a Kun Khmer championship at the Cote d’Or National Sports Complex, aiming to build discipline and confidence among young people. The launch signals a sustained national effort that the founder intends to serve as a blueprint for other governments.
About Compassion Unites
Compassion Unites is a cross‑sector mental‑health alliance that brings together corporates, governments, faith institutions, academic centres and community networks to expand access to mental‑health support globally. More information is available at compassionunites.com.
About Dr. Ishan Shivanand
Dr. Ishan Shivanand is an academic, philanthropist and founder of Compassion Unites. He holds research affiliations with IIT Ropar and Stanford University, has published in peer‑reviewed journals, authored the USA Today bestseller “The Practice of Immortality,” and has been recognised by the U.S. Congress, the U.K. Parliament and invited to the White House to advise on the opioid crisis.