Behind every person living with mental illness in India, there’s often a parent, sibling, spouse, or child quietly carrying the weight of responsibility, love, and worry. They are the shining light on a group of people whose struggle often remain unseen. While their devotion is unwavering, the emotional, mental, and physical toll can be immense. Through this episode and our conversation wtih Dr. Nadkarni, who is a very senior psychiatrist and the managing trustee of IPH, we have tried to explore the hidden distress many carers experience, from guilt and exhaustion to the strain caregiving places on relationships. We have also talked about practical coping strategies and ways to strengthen communication and support groups in easing the burden.

Positive thinking and healthy communication play a vital role in our lives — especially for family carers and their loved ones navigating immense challenges. Yet, on this journey, it’s easy to become demotivated, to slip into negative thought patterns, and to unknowingly create disharmony within families. In today’s episode, we explore the powerful intersection of compassion, empathy, and positive thinking in the mental health space. Our speaker, Bhavya Jain, is an Industrial-Organisational Psychologist, an Integrative Psychotherapist, and, most importantly, the founder of "That Happiness Project". She is committed to promoting positive mental health and breaking the stigma around therapy,

As we observe May 24th – World Schizophrenia Awareness Day, we are honoured to bring you a truly special conversation with Akila Maheshwari — a schizophrenia warrior, trailblazer, and founder of NAMI India. In today’s episode, titled “Akila’s Journey: Life Beyond Schizophrenia”, she shares her lived experience — a journey of resilience, recovery, independent living, and ultimately, finding meaning in advocacy. Diagnosed in her early years, Akila has not only faced the challenges of mental illness with strength and clarity, but has also gone on to lead a life of deep purpose — as a wife, mother, working independent individual, and as a mental health advocate committed to systemic change. Her voice is a powerful reminder that people living with schizophrenia can and do lead full, thriving lives — especially when supported by the right systems, understanding families, and a belief in their potential.

Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health challenges, yet they remain deeply misunderstood. In our 19th episode, we explore their understanding, the science behind these conditions, and the importance of seeking support. Join us as we break the stigma and share expert insights, personal stories, and coping strategies Our guest for this episode is Dr. Alok Kulkarni, who is a senior consultant and interventional psychiatrist based at Hubli in Karnataka. He completed his postgraduate in psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore. He was awarded his post-doctoral fellowship by The Centre for Excellence in Mood Disorders at The University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada. He is the recipient of the prestigious IMH Marshall Fellowship Award for the year 2022-23. As part of this award, he has researched bipolar disorder and difficult-to-treat depression under the mentorship of Professor Lakshmi Yatham, a world authority on mood disorders. He has also acquired specialist expertise in the use of intravenous and oral ketamine therapy for difficult-to-treat depression.

Continuing with our conversation with family carer Aman Batish, we explore his role in the State Mental Health Authority(SMHA), Haryana and the changes he wishes to bring out in the mental health eco-system.

In this episode, hosts Saraswathi Suresh, founder of FAVMI, and Dr. Sachin Ganorkar, founding member and director of FAVMI, engage in a timely conversation on "Mental Wellbeing in the Modern Workspace." As the world increasingly emphasizes mental health at work, this episode builds on the momentum of Mental Health Day's theme, “Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.” Our guest, Dr. Ruksheda Syeda, brings over 25 years of psychiatric expertise to the conversation. Dr. Syeda, the current President of the Bombay Psychiatric Society and Vice President of the Indian Association of Biological Psychiatry, shares her insights on workplace stress, resilience, and strategies for fostering mental well-being in professional settings. Specializing in young adults, women, and families, Dr. Syeda's experience spans private practice, advisory roles, and her impactful work with YAMI—a free support group she founded for young adults. Join us as we delve into the practical ways workplaces can prioritize mental health, explore strategies for building resilience, and discuss how leaders and employees alike can contribute to healthier, more supportive work environments. Whether you're navigating corporate life, managing teams, or simply passionate about mental well-being, this episode is for you. Listen, learn, and let’s work together to create change!

Today's episode is a special one! Every year, 10th October is observed as World Mental Health Day, to raise awareness about mental health issues and promote mental well-being across the globe. It provides an opportunity to discuss mental health openly, advocate for better mental health services, and address the stigma associated with mental illness. The theme for this year is “It’s time to prioritise Mental Health in workplaces.” For a special episode, we have invited a special guest, the present Director of NIMHANS Dr. Pratima Murthy, who has over three decades of experience in Mental Health. She has received many awards and is an international consultant to the WHO for the Mental Health Gap in Mental Health and Addiction. She has also provided consultancy to the National Human Rights Commission and has been a member of many task forces at the national level. In conversation with Dr. Pratima Murthy on this occasion, we dive into the current state of mental health in workplaces in India, discuss the way forward for a more inclusive and supportive mental health landscape in India, and address some of the concerns of family carers in India.

This episode aims to unravel the intricate ties between Addiction and Mental Illness. delves into the complex relationship between addiction and mental illness. Join us as we explore their mutual impact, how these two conditions can intertwine, often making it difficult to diagnose and treat, their shared roots, and the journey towards healing.

Through these in-depth interviews with our guests today, we intend to shed light on understanding addiction, the myths around it, the dual diagnosis, treatment options, and recovery strategies.

Join us as we challenge stereotypes and foster greater understanding and empathy towards those living with mental health conditions. Subscribe now and let's embark on this empowering journey together.

To all family carers “ We pledge that together, as family carers, we hold hands through the darkness, illuminating each other’s journey with the light of empathy, compassion, and resilience!!”

On public demand, we have another Q&A episode. This is "Ask the Expert: Part 2" where we continue asking the questions by family carers collated by us with our esteemed guest and listen to the expert’s insights.

Our esteemed guest and expert for this episode is a well-known psychiatrist named Dr. Krishna Prasad M. He has done his MBBS from Bangalore Medical College, and then MD from NIMHANS. He works as a Professor of Psychiatry and Head of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services at NIMHANS.

Join us as we challenge stereotypes and foster greater understanding and empathy towards those living with mental health conditions. Subscribe now and let's embark on this empowering journey together.

To all family carers “ We pledge that together, as family carers, we hold hands through the darkness, illuminating each other’s journey with the light of empathy, compassion and resilience!!”

We release this special episode on this special month of May which is celebrated as the Mental Awareness Month. In this episode, we interviewed a young dynamic lady who shares her personal story of insight and resilience. Her profound statements in this episode will enlighten a lot of patients with mental illness and inspire other families to seek early treatment and help from families and friends. Together, let's break the stigma surrounding mental health and empower each other to prioritize self-care, cultivate resilience, and embrace the full spectrum of human experience.

In this episode we focus on an inspirational story of a young & dynamic neuroscientist who is now a social entrepreneur. Dr. Avani Shukla has been grappling with a chronic mental health disorder for the last 17 years. It is indeed a humongous challenge for a person with mental illness to speak of their journey which is above any explanations & understandable to the world outside. Dr. Avani shares her insights to create awareness to support community/family carers to support and manage their loved with mental health conditions.

This episode is dedicated to Rosalyn Carter who passed away on 19th November 2023. Besides being a US first lady from 1977 to 1981, she was a humanitarian, activist and who advocated for women rights & mental health. In 1987, Mrs. Carter founded the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) to support the unique needs of caregivers those who selflessly cared for family and friends; and build on her belief that everyone is a caregiver now, has been a caregiver, or will either be or need a caregiver in the future. 

So, in this episode we invited our wonder guest R. Srinivasa Murthy who this podcast aims to providing support and guidance for the unsung heroes – the family carers of persons with mental illness. Navigating the complexities of caring for a loved one with mental illness can be challenging, but you're not alone on this journey. Its aims to equip you with the tools needed to face the unique challenges of caregiving head-on. Discover ways to manage stress, avoid burnout, and find joy in your caregiving journey.

We are releasing our first episode on World Mental Day and is based on the theme of 2023: “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right”. We tackle a topic that is not only deeply important but often overlooked - the fundamental human right to mental health. We firmly believe that every individual, regardless of their background, deserves access to the resources and support necessary for mental well-being. We engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Nirmala Srinivasan who has spent more than 2 decades advocating on this social cause. 

Throughout the episode, we'll shed light on the following key points:

1. Understanding Mental Health as a Human Right

2. Challenges and Disparities

3. Solutions

Join us for this enlightening episode of as we raise our voices and advocate for mental health together, we can contribute to a more compassionate and equitable future for all.

When we walk into a hospital, we think of doctors treating the body — surgeries, medicines, recovery. But what about the mind? A patient may heal physically, yet struggle with fear, depression, or confusion. That’s where Liaison Psychiatry comes in In today’s episode, we explore to understand liason pyshiciatry, why this is so important, how mental health affects recovery in hospitals, and what families and caregivers can do to support their loved ones. Let’s dive into the hidden side of healing — the mind-body connection. To guide us through this important conversation, we’re joined by Dr. Sheryl John Senthilnathan, Consultant Psychiatrist in Holy Spirit, Andheri, Mumbai and L H Hiranandani Hospital Mumbai. Dr. Sheryl is a very senior psychiatrist who specialises in managing cases related to Adult Psychiatry, De-addiction, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry & Stress management.. With her clinical experience in working at the intersection of physical and mental health, she helps patients, families, and medical teams see the whole person — not just the illness

Our guest Dr. Amrit Bakhshy needs need no introduction in the mental health space and is a guiding person to many family carers. I He is the father of a daughter living with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia for over three decades. He has used his life experiences to bring to the attention of the larger society through his remarkable writings. Further, he has synthesised his and others' experiences into books vix “ Mental Illness and caregiving” and to contribute in changing the legislation and social welfare measures in India. He is a living example of how a challenge in life can be converted into an opportunity. He has been the President Schizophrenia Awareness Association Pune (2010-19), Chairperson Hospital Managing Committee, NIMHANS, Bangalore (2015-2018), Member Institutional Body NIMHANS Bangalore (2014-2018), Chairperson/member Ethics Committee, ILS Pune (2014-20), Member, Committee of Experts to frame Rules and Regulations for Mental Healthcare Act 2017 (2018), Member Expert Group on Psychotic Disorders, International Consortium for Health Outcome Measurement, Invited by WHO’s Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse for Expert Advice to review the mental health-related draft material, Member, International Advisory Board for PIECEs

In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the world of Family Therapy — what it is, how it works, and why it matters. Whether you're a family carer, a mental health professional, or someone navigating family dynamics, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on healing relationships and fostering understanding within families. 💬 Our guest Dr. Veena Satyanarayana is an Additional Professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore. and we hope to explore: • The principles of family therapy • Common myths and misconceptions • How therapy supports families dealing with mental illness 🌱 At FAVMI, we believe that families play a crucial role in mental health recovery. Join us as we explore how family therapy can empower both individuals and family carers on their mental health journeys.

In our 18th episode of Unfolding Mental Illness, we delve into the world of understanding mood disorders, the causes, the treatment strategies and how to navigate the journey of caregiving with resilience and compassion. Our expert guest, Dr Milan Balakrishnan is a well-known psychiatrist from Mumbai who is heading the department of psychiatry at Masina Hospital Mumbai and also consulting in Bombay Hospital. he is a trustee of Bipolar India, a mental health NGO that is doing dramatic work in mental health activism Whether you're a family carer, a professional, or someone seeking to understand more about mood disorders, this episode offers valuable perspectives on fostering understanding and support within families

Step into the heartfelt and resilient world of family caregivers. In this episode, we unravel the emotional journey of supporting a loved one through their mental health challenges. From navigating stigma to finding strength in vulnerability, family carer Aman Batish, an architect from IIT Roorkee, an academician and now also part of the State Mental Health Authority, Haryana episode, shares his life transformative journey along with his learnings which can empower our family carer community.  Join us in exploring the resilience, compassion, and hope that define the carer's journey in  Part 1

Today’s episode explores a crucial but often overlooked topic: “Managing the Workplace with Mental Illness – A Lived Experience.” Millions of people worldwide face mental health challenges, yet discussing them openly in the workplace remains a struggle for many. How can we manage the demands of corporate life while prioritizing mental well-being? How do we create inclusive work environments where individuals living with mental illness feel supported rather than stigmatized? To help us dive deeper, we’re honoured to welcome a guest with a truly unique perspective. A graduate of IIT and IIM—two of India’s most prestigious institutions—who built a thriving corporate career while navigating the complexities of living with mental illness and had to resign after this third episode due to his inability to continue to perform at the workplace. In this episode, he shares his powerful journey, We’ll hear about the challenges he faced, the support systems that helped him thrive, and the changes he believes are crucial for better supporting individuals like him in the workplace.

Today 10th September is recognised globally as a Suicide Prevention Day and therefore this episode is dedicated to exploring the journey to suicide prevention. We delve deep into the understanding of how to handle such conversations of suicidal thoughts, misconceptions to societal challenges of suicide. This episode offers listeners a blend of hope, understanding, and practical advice. This podcast isn't just about awareness—it's about connection, healing, and finding light in the most unexpected places. Join us as we break down the barriers of stigma, offer lifelines of support by better understanding, and inspire a new narrative of hope and recovery.

Welcome to "Understanding Psychotherapy" where we try to explore & learn the world of psychotherapy and shed light on the transformative power of therapeutic practices.

Our esteemed guest and expert for this episode is a well-known psychotherapist. Dr.Hvovi Bhagwagar. She is a Psychologist and Psychotherapist with over 24 years of experience specialising in clinical psychology and traumatic stress. She holds her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from SNDT University, Mumbai, and a Ph.D. in Social Sciences from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. For more details about her, you can visit her website: ⁠www.manashni.in⁠

Join us as we challenge stereotypes and foster greater understanding and empathy towards those living with mental health conditions. Subscribe now and let's embark on this empowering journey together.

To all family carers “ We pledge that together, as family carers, we hold hands through the darkness, illuminating each other’s journey with the light of empathy, compassion and resilience!!”

Welcome to "Ask the Expert", an episode series where we bring you expert insights, practical advice, and conversation about mental health. For our first session of this series, we asked our family carers for their questions which we collated to ask our expert.

Our esteemed guest and expert for this episode is a well-known psychiatrist “Dr. Krishna Prasad”. He has done his MBBS from Bangalore Medical College, and then MD from NIMHANS. He is currently working as a Professor of Psychiatry and Head of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services at NIMHANS.

Join us as we challenge stereotypes and foster greater understanding and empathy towards those living with mental health conditions. Subscribe now and let’s embark on this empowering journey together.

To all family carers “ We pledge that together, as family carers, we hold hands through the darkness, illuminating each other’s journey with the light of empathy, compassion and resilience!!”

We release this episode on the week of International Women’s Day 2024 and it is our utmost privilege to have a woman psychiatrist as a guest who has had more than 45+ years of experience and is the co-founder of SCARF (Schizophrenia Research Foundation), Chennai and now the vice chairman. She will be publishing a landmark study this year, called Madras Longitudinal Study, which features 90 case studies of people with schizophrenia - people whom she counselled and whose journeys she tracked for 35 years. “It’s the largest study of its kind in Asia,” she says. In 2022 she received Nari Shakti Puraskar for "creating awareness about mental disorders" and is an inspiration to all women mental health professionals. Our format in this episode has been amended slightly and the responses are going to be in brief so that we can ask more questions to her. With this podcast, we dive deep into the misconceptions about mental illness from cultural stigma to common myths perpetuated by media & society and aim to shed light on the truths behind these misunderstandings. We aim to bring clarity to the minds of a common man trying to understand the subject of “Person with Mental Illness”.

Join us as we challenge stereotypes and foster greater understanding and empathy towards those living with mental health conditions. Subscribe now and let's embark on this empowering journey together. To all family carers “ Remember, your dedication as a carer is both seen and appreciated. You’re not alone – We’re here for you “

We begin this new year 2024 with an episode filled with expert advice in from Dr. Vidyadhar Watve, a psychiatrist doctor from Pune. He has been practicing in this field for the last 50 years and has attended to more than 1,00,000 patients. 

In this insightful episode, Dr. Watve shares his wide experience of how the medical treatment has evolved in the last so many years especially with respect to medicines, ECT, regular intake of medicines, relapses, early treatment and institutionalization and most important self-care tools for family caregiver. 

Family carers play a crucial role in the well-being of their loved ones, and we are dedicated to providing the tools and resources to support them on this journey. If you are a family caregiver seeking guidance, understanding, and a sense of community, subscribe to "Unfolding Mental Illness”. Follow FAVMI on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠Youtube⁠.

Did you know that November of every year is celebrated as the Family Caregivers Month. So we are releasing our second podcast episode to honor all the "Family Carers", as we prefer to call them, and celebrate their contributions in mental illness ecosystem of India. To tackle this topic we invited our wonderful guest Mr. Vijay Nallawala. 

The Family Carers handling Persons with Mental Illness undergo through a very daunting journey,  which is on- going and their narratives are not being shared for reasons of  stigma, social judgemental , denial by the families itself etc It is time that we families come forward and share our journey which will help other families who are in similar situations.  Sharing will help Family carers,  who are taking care of their loved ones suffering with mental illness or psychiatric disorders  in creating an ecosystem which is more empathetic, sensitive and support from families and friends. 

Throughout the episode, we'll shed light on the following key points: 

1. Understanding the challenges of Family carers

2. How can the family carers better their role

3. Tips to caregivers on coping mechanisms  

Join us for this enlightening episode of  as we raise our voices and advocate for mental health Together, we can contribute to a more compassionate, empathetic and equitable future for all.