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India must adapt global best practices in mental health while creating care models that are culturally relevant, family-inclusive, hybrid, and accessible for diverse communities.
Mental health in India needs care models that are not just evidence-based, but also culturally rooted
‘When I returned to India after years of training and practice abroad, I carried with me the confidence of global best practices and principles in mental health. Evidence-based therapeutic methods, collaborative care models, structured inpatient and outpatient programs, and a biopsychosocial approach, the evidence for these was strong and clear. But science alone isn’t enough for mental health care to truly work in India; it must feel culturally contextualised to be effective,’ says Dr Amit Malik, Founder & CEO, Amaha Health.
“At Amaha, we’ve spent the last nine years building a model that does just that taking the best of global science and shaping it for India’s cultural, social, and economic realities. What has emerged is a care model and community designed for the way we live and feel here,” goes on Dr Malik.
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In the West, mental health is often framed as a deeply personal journey. In India, however, families sit at the centre of every decision including health and that is something we cannot ignore. This is why our care actively involves families: psychoeducation to dispel myths, joint treatment planning, and structured support for caregivers, while always respecting the client’s autonomy and confidentiality. As Dr. Malik explains, “When families understand their role and are equipped to walk alongside their loved one, recovery is not only more effective but also more sustainable.”
The same spirit of adaptation shapes how we think about the clinical workforce. India has less than one psychiatrist for every 100,000 people. If clinicians are expected to shoulder everything, therapy, medication management, administration, we will never reach the scale this country needs. At Amaha, task-shifting ensures that expertise is focused where it matters most. Clinicians dedicate themselves to clinical work, while trained professionals handle scheduling, coordination, progress tracking, and family liaison.
Technology also plays a key role. Our digital platform and AI tools automate documentation and routine tasks that often consume clinicians’ time. “This enables our doctors and therapists to focus on clients and the quality of care,” says Dr. Malik.
Accessibility, too, must be reimagined. A single mode of care cannot serve a country as vast and diverse as ours. For some, digital therapy or psychiatry in their local language may be the only feasible option; for others, structured inpatient care is essential. “That is why Amaha has built a hybrid model, seamlessly blending digital and physical care. Through our app, clients can track moods, medications, and progress, while our hospitals and clinics provide outpatient and inpatient programs when needed. The ability to move between these spaces without losing continuity makes care more realistic in a country where distance, stigma, and affordability often stand in the way,” shares Dr Malik.
Yet, access is only half the battle. Stigma continues to prevent people from seeking help. As Dr Malik stresses, “Global campaigns have achieved a lot, but their language often feels far removed. In India, we need voices that resonate within our communities.”
Equally important is involving people with lived experience in shaping care. Recovery programs are co-created with those who have walked the journey themselves. “Their insights make our care more empathetic, more practical, and better suited to India’s realities,” explains Dr Malik.
While there is much to learn from global best practices, Dr Malik believes India also has much to offer. “Out of a necessity for relevance, we have created care that is family-inclusive, community-driven, digitally hybrid, and deeply cost-sensitive. Our vision is to bring these strengths together to build care that is both clinically excellent and culturally authentic, and to shape a model of hope and recovery that serves our country while inspiring the world.”
About the Author
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
October 03, 2025, 14:53 IST
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