A community-driven wellbeing initiative created by PULP to support more open, compassionate conversations around mental health — while offering something practical and accessible in return.
I didn’t start Shred the Stigma because it looked good on paper, or because it fit a corporate strategy.
This isn’t a cause I chose. It’s a conversation I once struggled to have myself.
People often ask why a shredding company talks about mental health. The answer is personal.
At a time when I was struggling the most, I was fortunate — not because I was strong, but because I wasn’t alone. I had an incredible support system and a life partner who noticed what I couldn’t see clearly myself, encouraged me to open up, helped me access medical care and therapy, and stayed with me patiently as I found my footing again.
That support changed everything for me.
And I’m deeply aware that many people never receive that kind of understanding, encouragement, or care.
Shred the Stigma was born from that awareness.
— Ankur Mahajan, Founder & CEO, PULP
The symbol and philosophy behind Shred the Stigma draw from the idea of connection — between individuals, communities, and the environments we share.
It is inspired by the Sanskrit concept Yajñabhāvana — one for all, and all for one — a reminder that collective care strengthens us all.
The Meaning Behind the Name
Shredding, in its simplest form, is about transformation — taking something heavy, sensitive, or unmanageable and breaking it down into something lighter, more workable.
“Shred the Stigma” reflects that same intention. Not erasing experiences. Not minimizing pain. But breaking down the shame and misconceptions that often surround mental health struggles.
Mental health challenges — whether illness, chronic stress, social struggles, or loneliness — are far more common than we tend to admit. Yet many people still feel uncomfortable speaking about them openly.
Not because they don’t want help — but because silence can feel safer than being misunderstood.
Stigma doesn’t always show up loudly. Often, it shows up quietly:
• in hesitation before asking for help
• in fear of being judged or labeled
• in choosing to “deal with it” alone
Over time, that silence can become heavy.
Shred the Stigma exists to gently loosen that weight — by creating spaces where conversations can begin naturally, without pressure, labels, or expectations.
Shred the Stigma® is a community driven wellbeing initiative created by PULP to support more open, compassionate conversations around mental health — while offering something practical and accessible in return.
We host community shredding events where individuals and families can securely destroy personal documents — something many people already need to do, but don’t always know how to access easily.
Alongside these events, we collaborate with local mental health organizations to share resources, offer guidance, and simply be present.
Participation is simple.
Engagement is optional.
Respect is constant.
The act of shredding becomes more than administrative — it becomes symbolic. A moment to let go. Of paperwork, yes — but also of the idea that struggle must be hidden.
This initiative is not separate from who we are at PULP. It reflects how we understand responsibility — to ourselves, to each other, and to the communities we serve. Impact doesn’t always arrive loudly.
Sometimes it appears quietly:
• when someone feels less alone
• when a conversation feels possible
• when asking for help seems less daunting
The Change We’re Hoping For
We are not trying to fix mental health. We are not trying to replace professionals or medical care. Our intention is quieter — and more human.
We want:
• conversations to feel easier to start
• seeking help to feel less isolating
• support to feel more accessible
• people to feel seen, even briefly
Stigma often fades not through statements or campaigns, but through presence — through showing up and making space for one another.
Shred the Stigma works through tangible, community based action:
Community shredding events for local residents
We don’t ask people to share more than they want to. We don’t assume experiences. We simply offer space – and trust people to meet it in their own way.
How You Can Be Part of It
Everyone participates differently- and that’s okay. You can:
Partner with PULP to protect information, support sustainability, and strengthen community impact.
