IOI
The Minds Foundation, in partnership with ITC Fiama, has launched its first virtual clinic to encourage proactive conversations about mental well-being.
Discussions about mental health have begun, but stigma still persists. A Mental Health Survey 2020 conducted by ITC FIMA revealed that 70 percent of Indians younger than 25 have experienced mental ill health, but only 26 percent have sought professional help. Over 70% of those who consult a therapist first seek assistance via the internet.
In addition to Fiama’s Virtual Clinic, Fiama also offers licensed professionals who deliver mental health therapy at affordable rates. An intimate virtual space that facilitates the exchange of information and enables individuals to seek help without feeling embarrassment or stigma. MINDS Foundation has put together a highly qualified team of therapists specifically for the Virtual Clinic, so that clients can receive expert advice, therapy, and counselling in the privacy of their own homes.
The team of professionals include Pragya Lodha (Programme Director & Clinical Psychologist), Radha Kedia (M. A. Applied Psychology from Tata Institute of Applied Sciences), Dr. Snehal Thamke (MD in Psychiatry) and Vahishta Kapadia (M. A. in Lifespan Counselling from St Xavier’s College). Since its founding in 2010, the MINDS Foundation has worked to create a world that fosters a shared approach to mental wellness, in which anyone, anywhere can access the services they need.
Founder & CEO, The Minds Foundation, Dr. Raghu Kiran Appasani said in a release, “As the prevalence of mental health conditions continues to grow, we must work to meet individuals where they are, and this partnership with ITC Fiama allows us to bring this care into ones’ own home. MINDS brings to this virtual clinic platform over eleven years of evidence-backed research and grassroots experience, along with decades of clinical expertise spread across our team, with the goal of providing high-quality psychotherapy to anyone, regardless of where they are based in India.”
Sameer Satpathy, Divisional Chief Executive, Personal Care Products Business, ITC Limited added, “Mental wellbeing is a critical health indicator. The pandemic has underlined this further and there are a lot of people who need help. This is an endeavour to simplify the help-seeking process and provide for an effective and trustworthy online intervention in mental wellbeing.”
To sign up for a session, one has to visit The Minds Foundation page (https://www.mindsfoundation.org/) to sign up for one of 85 sessions offered each week. Our representative will reach out to applicants to schedule a slot according to their convenience and initial assessment. The cost is 300 rupees for each session.
