ITC Fiama in association with The Minds Foundation launched its first virtual clinic in its endeavor to encourage active conversations and awareness on mental wellness.
Mental health is a deeply personal health issue and is aggravated with the concern of a dynamic lifestyle. While the conversation has started, mental health is being stigmatised. ITC Fiama’s Mental Health Survey 2020 revealed that 70% of Indians under the age of 25 have mental health issues, but only 26% have consulted a therapist or counsellor. More than 70% rely on internet help to search through before consulting a doctor.
Virtual clinics supported by Fiama are an additional option to enable affordable access to mental health therapy provided by licensed professionals. It is a suitable platform that encourages individuals to seek help in an intimate virtual space without fear of embarrassment or prevailing stigma. MINDS Foundation has specially put together a team of highly qualified physicians for the Virtual Clinic, thereby, offering expert advice, therapy and counseling at the convenience of one’s own privacy.
The team of professionals includes Pragya Lodha (Program Director and Clinical Psychologist), Radha Kedia (MA Applied Psychology from Tata Institute of Applied Sciences), Dr. Snehal Thamke (MD in Psychiatry) and Vashishtha Kapadia (LifeSpan Counseling from St. Xavier’s College). in MA). ) The MINDS Foundation was founded in 2010 with the vision of creating a world that fosters a shared approach to mental wellness – in which anyone, anywhere can access the resources they deserve.
Dr Raghu Kiran Appasani, Founder and CEO, The Minds Foundation says, “As mental health conditions continue to grow, we must work to meet such individuals where they are, and this partnership with ITC Fiama allows us to bring this care into our home. MINDS THIS Virtual Clinic brings together over eleven years of evidence-backed research and grassroots experience on the platform, along with decades of clinical expertise spanning our team, with the goal of providing high quality psychotherapy to anyone, regardless of age. wherever they may be in India.”
Sameer Satpathy, Divisional Chief Executive, Personal Care Products Business, ITC Limited He added, “Mental health is an important health indicator. The pandemic has further underscored this and there are many people who need help. Fiama is working towards making specialist medical and counseling more accessible and affordable through Virtual Clinics. Takes the first step. It is an effort to simplify the process of seeking help and provide an effective and reliable online intervention in mental health.”
To access a single session, with 85 sessions available per week as a start, anyone can sign up on The Minds Foundation page (https://www.mindsfoundation.org/counseling) A representative of the Foundation will be in touch with the applicant to book slots based on their convenience and preliminary assessment. The cost of each session is INR 300 which makes it one of the most cost effective medical outreach in India.
