As India grapples with rapid urbanisation, evolving work cultures and changing family structures, mental health has emerged as one of the most pressing yet under-addressed public health challenges. Despite growing awareness, access to comprehensive and stigma-free mental healthcare remains limited, particularly beyond a handful of premier institutions. In an exclusive interview with Anuj Sharma of Elets News Network, Dr Girishchandra BG, Medical Director and Senior Consultant at Maarga Mind Care, shares the vision behind the organisation and its approach to delivering comprehensive, evidence-based mental healthcare.

Edited by: Abhineet Kumar | Elets News Network

What was the core vision behind establishing a dedicated multispecialty mental health hospital, and why do you believe this model is the need of the hour in India?

The vision emerged from years of working in the mental health space and witnessing two persistent challenges that have limited progress in this sector. The first is accessibility, and the second is stigma. These two barriers have historically prevented people from seeking timely and effective mental healthcare.

Accessibility has been a major hurdle. Even today, when someone recognises that they or their loved one needs mental health support, the immediate question is where to go and whom to approach. Unlike physical health, where hospitals and clinics are widely available, mental healthcare facilities are limited and often embedded as small departments within larger general hospitals. Comprehensive standalone mental health hospitals are extremely rare in India, particularly in the private sector.

The second challenge is stigma. Despite gradual improvement over the last two decades, mental health continues to be associated with hesitation, fear, and social judgment. Many individuals delay or completely avoid seeking care because of these perceptions.

The idea behind establishing a dedicated mental health hospital was to address both these issues simultaneously. By creating a visible, accessible, and comprehensive facility, we aim to normalise mental healthcare and make it as approachable as any other medical specialty. This model allows people to seek help without hesitation and receive holistic care under one roof.

How has the mental healthcare ecosystem evolved in India, and what gaps did you observe that led to the creation of Marga Mind Care?

Historically, mental healthcare in India has largely been outpatient driven. While some premier government institutions such as AIIMS, NIMHANS in Bengaluru, and CIP Ranchi have provided comprehensive services, such facilities are few and far between. Outside of these institutions, most psychiatric care has been limited to outpatient consultations with minimal inpatient or rehabilitation support.

In the private sector, the situation was even more constrained. Mental health services were often provided through visiting consultants in general hospitals, without integrated multidisciplinary teams or structured long-term care pathways. Comprehensive mental healthcare, especially involving inpatient services, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society, was almost non existent.

When Marga Mind Care was first conceptualised in Bengaluru, there was limited corporate or institutional support for such an initiative. However, with the backing of a few visionary partners, we were able to establish a center that focused on complete mental healthcare rather than fragmented services.

Over time, Marga became a trusted referral center for psychiatrists across the region. Clinicians could refer complex cases to us with confidence, knowing that patients would receive structured treatment, rehabilitation, and support before being reintegrated into their families and communities. This experience demonstrated that a comprehensive, patient centric model was both viable and necessary.

What prompted the expansion to Gurugram, and how does this location align with your long-term vision?

After successfully operating in Bengaluru for several years, our team reflected on how we could further address the challenges of accessibility and stigma at a national level. While stigma has reduced compared to earlier decades, accessibility remains uneven across regions.

Gurugram emerged as a natural next step. If you look at India’s evolving socio economic landscape, Gurugram mirrors Bengaluru in many ways. It has a highly mobile population, rapid urbanization, a strong corporate presence, and a diverse workforce drawn from across the country and abroad. These factors bring with them unique mental health challenges related to stress, work culture, isolation, and changing family structures.

The decision to establish a center in Gurugram was also aligned with our broader goal of creating multiple centers across India by 2030. The intention is not limited to metropolitan expansion alone, but to eventually reach tier two and tier three cities as well. Gurugram represents a strategic bridge between established metropolitan care models and future expansion into underserved regions.

What is the core philosophy guiding the services offered at the Gurugram facility?

Our philosophy is intentionally simple. We are not trying to position ourselves as doing something radically different or experimental. Our focus is on doing the basics right.

This means providing thorough evaluation, accurate diagnosis, evidence based treatment, and structured recovery plans. Equal emphasis is placed on helping individuals reintegrate into their families, workplaces, and society. Mental healthcare does not end with symptom reduction. True recovery involves restoring functionality, confidence, and social participation.

The Gurugram facility has been designed to offer comprehensive psychiatric care across age groups, including adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and geriatric psychiatry. Beyond clinical treatment, we aim to actively support schools, educational institutions, and corporate organisations in addressing mental health challenges within their ecosystems.

Do you see plans to expand into tier two and tier three cities, where access to mental healthcare is often more limited?

Expansion into tier two and tier three cities is certainly part of our long-term vision. At present, individuals who require specialised mental healthcare are often willing to travel long distances to access quality treatment. In Bengaluru, for example, we receive patients from across Karnataka, neighbouring states, and even from overseas.

While this demonstrates the demand for quality care, it also highlights the gap in local availability. If comprehensive mental healthcare were accessible closer to home, many individuals would prefer not to travel. As our network grows and operational models mature, we intend to explore expansion into smaller cities where the need is significant but services are limited.

From your experience, what are the most pressing mental health challenges facing India today, particularly among working adults and younger populations?

Several societal changes are converging to create new mental health challenges. One major factor is the rapid shift from rural to urban living. Individuals moving to cities often leave behind traditional support systems such as extended families and close knit communities. This absence of social support can significantly impact mental well being.

Corporate work culture is another major contributor. India has become a global operational hub, with professionals working across multiple time zones. Irregular working hours, night shifts, and rotating schedules disrupt sleep patterns and biological rhythms. Such disruptions can lead to anxiety, depression, burnout, and long term health issues.

Additionally, shift based work patterns, including those followed by essential services and security forces, further complicate work-life balance. Constantly changing shifts make it difficult for individuals to maintain stable routines, family life, and social connections.

Another critical area is the pressure on children and adolescents. Competitive academic environments, reduced family time due to dual-income households, and high societal expectations place immense stress on young minds.

Finally, India is witnessing a gradual increase in life expectancy. While this is a positive development, it also brings challenges related to geriatric mental health, dementia, and caregiving responsibilities. Families and healthcare systems are not yet fully prepared to address the needs of an aging population.

How does Marga Mind Care’s multidisciplinary approach support patients beyond clinical treatment?

Mental healthcare cannot function in silos. At Marga, we strongly believe in a multidisciplinary approach that involves psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, therapists, and families working together.

Treatment is not limited to medication or therapy alone. We work closely with families to ensure they understand the condition, the recovery process, and their role in supporting the individual. Where required, we also engage with employers to facilitate a smooth return to work.

Our objective is to help individuals regain their functional capacity. This includes supporting them in resuming employment, rebuilding social connections, and restoring confidence. Nurses play a critical role in this journey, and there is a strong need to expand training programs for mental health nursing to meet future demands.

What facilities and advanced treatments are available at the Gurugram center?

The Gurugram facility is a standalone mental health hospital offering both outpatient and inpatient services. We provide care across a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, addiction, and geriatric mental health issues.

Advanced treatment options include neuromodulation therapies, electroconvulsive therapy, and ketamine based interventions for treatment-resistant depression. We also offer child and adolescent psychiatric services and specialised care for older adults.

In addition, we collaborate closely with general hospitals to address cases where physical and mental health conditions coexist. Our goal is to serve as a comprehensive partner for all mental healthcare needs.

How is technology being integrated into mental healthcare delivery at Marga Mind Care?

Technology plays an increasingly important role in mental healthcare, particularly in assessment, therapy, and early intervention. At Marga, we are using virtual reality-based therapies to treat conditions such as phobias and anxiety disorders. VR allows controlled exposure in a safe environment, helping individuals gradually overcome their fears.

We are also moving towards a paperless system to improve efficiency and continuity of care. Looking ahead, we are developing a digital platform that will incorporate artificial intelligence-driven screening tools, chat-based support, and guided therapy modules. These tools will help individuals access preliminary support and assessment before transitioning to in person care when required.

As you open your doors to the Gurugram community, what message would you like to share with individuals and families seeking mental health support?

Our commitment is to provide good mental healthcare by doing the fundamentals right. We promise compassionate care, transparency in treatment, and trust in every interaction. While we are new to Gurugram, we are not new to mental healthcare. Our experience in Bengaluru has shaped our values, systems, and approach.

We understand that trust takes time to build, especially in a field as sensitive as mental health. Our intention is to bring the same standards, ethics, and culture that have defined our work so far and serve the community with sincerity and responsibility.

Mental health is not a weakness. Seeking help is a sign of strength. We encourage individuals and families to reach out early, ask questions, and partner with us in the journey toward recovery and well being.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or views of any organisation. The content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice.

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