Mpower – The Centre, Kolkata to make quality mental health services accessible to Eastern & Northeast Region of India
Kolkata, 6th April 2021: In an endeavour to make quality mental health services more accessible to people across the country, Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder & Chairperson, Mpower, today inaugurated a new Mental Health Centre in Kolkata. The state-of-the-art centre located on Sarat Bose Road, will not only cater to the needs of nearly 1.5 Cr strong population of the city but also of the Eastern & North-Eastern states of India. The centre is headed by Dr. Preeti Parakh, (M.D. Psychiatry) who is in the field of mental health for more than a decade. She is ably supported by a highly qualified and experienced team of mental health professionals; Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Special Educators, Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists. The clinical services at Mpower – The Centre, Kolkata can be availed via both online and offline modes. Lending his support to the cause of mental health was Cricketing Legend, and President of the BCCI, Sourav Ganguly, who jointly unveiled the centre along with Mrs. Neerja Birla. Since inception in 2016, this is Mpower’s seventh world-class centre of excellence after Mpower Centres at Mumbai & Bengaluru, Mpower Foundation Mumbai and Mpower Cells at BITS Pilani, BITS Goa and Birla College, Kalyan, all dedicated for alleviation of mental health concerns.
Speaking at the virtual inauguration, Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson, Mpower said, “At the onset, I am really grateful to Mr. Sourav Ganguly for supporting an issue like mental health to create the right awareness among the citizens. Last year has been exceptionally tough on everyone, and has thrust the spotlight on how delicate our mental health really is. Furthermore, the prevailing deep-rooted stigma within the society often prevents people from reaching out and seeking the help they need. Hence, there is a strong need to create awareness about the same so that we as a society can work together to build a better tomorrow. With the launch of Mpower centre in Kolkata, we carry on with our missionary zeal to make mental health facilities accessible, and deliver holistic solutions to all. It is my sincere appeal to families, youth and working professionals to reach out, and seek help from our team of extremely skilled and experienced mental health professionals at The Kolkata Centre.”
Present at the launch, Shri Sourav Ganguly, President BCCI said, “Having played and witnessed a highly competitive sport like Cricket over three decades, I understand how important it is to build and maintain mental resilience for survival and success. This also applies to every other field we work in. Mental health is one of the biggest issues we face today as a society, which only got worse, as stress levels increased due to pandemic. Mrs. Neerja Birla and her movement Mpower have been doing some stellar work in the area of mental health. The launch of Mpower Centre in my hometown Kolkata is a brilliant step in the right direction towards creating awareness about mental healthcare in India. I am pleased to have been a part of this important discussion with Mrs. Birla, to understand the on-ground realities and what we as citizens can do to start fighting the stigma associated with mental illness, and seek timely help from the mental health experts.”
Ever since the pandemic struck, Mpower has intensified its efforts to alleviate the stigma around mental health, through various initiatives such as Mpower 1on1 toll-free mental health helpline (24×7), Mpower eClinic for tier two towns, ‘Minds Matter’ – mental health literacy curriculum for schools, and Mental Health Counselling and structured therapy to the frontline heroes such as Mumbai Police and Healthcare Workers and their families. In this period, Mpower has been committed to offer uninterrupted clinical intervention using teleconsultation services. Earlier this year, Mpower inaugurated its newest Cell at B K Birla College, Kalyan, and along with Kolkata it endeavours to expand its clinical footprint in cities like Pune and Hyderabad as well.
About Mpower:
Backed by Aditya Birla Education Trust, Mpower is a holistic mental health care initiative, which has become the pioneer of mental health awareness in the country. Since its inception, Mpower aims to create an ecosystem where people with mental health concerns and their caregivers receive professional support, care and acceptance to facilitate their recovery, without facing discrimination or shame. With the help of holistic care, interventions and treatments that are world-class and multi-disciplinary, Mpower is dedicated to ending the stigma associated with mental health. Mpower hopes to help in bringing about change in the public perception of coping with mental health concerns. Currently, Mpower’s clinical footprint is in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa and Pilani. https://mpowerminds.com/
About Aditya Birla Education Trust:
Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET) is an organisation committed to the cause of education and mental health, with an objective to nurture young minds. Right from establishing the Aditya Birla World Academy, an International School with an Indian soul, to The Aditya Birla Integrated School, which acknowledges the need to cater to children with different learning needs, ABET has always prioritised the importance of a child’s overall development. Further under the aegis of ABET, the Aditya Birla Education Academy provides professional development opportunities for educators, and engages, empowers and equips them to contribute towards shaping the future of young minds. In an endeavour to stamp out stigma surrounding mental health concerns, ABET has established Mpower, a holistic mental health care initiative, which has become the pioneer of mental health awareness in the country. Aditya Birla Education Trust runs under the zealous leadership of its passionate and committed Founder & Chairperson, Mrs. Neerja Birla.
