The ‘Breaking the Silence’ (BTS) campaign, a youth-driven initiative aimed at combating stigma surrounding substance abuse and mental health, has entered its third phase with a series of awareness programmes held in Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh on September 26. Miss Meghalaya 2024 and Miss Earth India 2025, Bahun Nongrum, addressed participants on the importance of empathy, dialogue and community support in overcoming mental health and addiction-related challenges. Launched in 2023, BTS began in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Nagaland, and expanded to Meghalaya in 2024. With a focus on youth engagement, the campaign promotes long-term community transformation through education, awareness and open conversations. The initiative also supports Beauty With A Purpose (BWAP) projects of youth ambassadors including Miss Northeast 2023 Kenei Ritse, Miss Nagaland 2023 Neiketuno Sechii and Miss Nagaland 2022 Hikali Achumi.