Introduction to MindSpecialists

Mind Specialists is a platform that has been built with the aim of creating progressive awareness and de-stigmatizing the conversation around Mental Health and Wellness. We believe that the holistic development of the mind, body and soul is very important to achieving a fulfilled, enriched life. Our mandate is to Help You Help Yourself achieve this balance by providing you with access, education and guidance in all things related to your mind.
The founders, Dr. Avdesh Sharma, Well-Being Psychiatrist and Dr. Sujatha D. Sharma, Consultant Clinical Psychologist have extensive, yet markedly different experience in the field of Mental Health. Dr. Avdesh Sharma has given presentations internationally and done media work, some in partnership with channels like ‘Doordarshan’ and also focused on the interface of Spirituality and Mental Health. Dr. Sujatha D. Sharma comes with decades of therapeutic practice, is a CBT expert and has extensive training and workshop experience. After being in this industry for over 30 years each and having carried out many international and national programs, they want to reach out to the community at large and talk about mental health, not just illness. This, coupled with their unique experiences in the field puts them in the perfect position to provide people with resources and knowledge to enhance their mental health and prevent mental health problems.
Mind Specialists, an initiative by RAHAT Charitable and Medical Research Trust, has been supported by well-wishers of Mental Health and institutions who in the true spirit of giving and humility wish to remain anonymous.

Our Vision

To transform conversations and ensure that every person knows what mental health is, and has access to resources, knowledge, management and a supportive community to help them achieve their maximum potential, and lead enriched lives.

Meet the MindSpecialists

Dr. Avdesh Sharma
Founder & Director

Dr. Avdesh Sharma, M.D., D.P.M., is a Consultant Well-Being Psychiatrist with over 30 years of practice in Delhi. He has been the International Lead on Public Education for the World Psychiatric Association (WPA); Co-Chair of the WPA’S Section on Spirituality & Mental Health; Chair of the Public Education & Awareness Committee of Indian Psychiatric Society; International Distinguished Fellow of American Psychiatric Association; Past President of Indian Association of Private Psychiatry, Indian Psychiatric Society (N.Z.) and Delhi Psychiatric Society and also the Founder, Mind Vision Enterprises and Managing Trustee, RAHAT Charitable Medical Research Trust.

Body of Work

Television Series: Mann Ki Baat, Mindwatch, Mind Your Mind, Andhi Galiyan etc. for ‘Doordarhan’ Channel; Mind Matters and Zindagi Bane Aasan for ‘Peace of Mind’ channel.

Workshops on: Stress, Self and Mind Management

Over 1000 presentations on: Stress, Spirituality and Mind Body Connection

Co- Author of books: “Distress to De-Stress” and “Couples in Harmony”

Awards: Gem of India & Rashtriya Gaurav Awards; T.P. Jhunjhunwal Foundation’s 24th National Excellence Award for Medicine 2014 and Health Oscar of India, 2017.

Dr. Sujatha D. Sharma
Founder & Director

Sujatha D. Sharma, M.Phil, Ph.D., is a practicing Consultant Clinical Psychologist in New Delhi and has been working with all age groups, with psychological distress and emotional well-being issues for the last three decades. She has a multifaceted background as clinician, psychotherapist, researcher, teacher and trainer. Her consulting and training specialties include training workshops for promoting wellness behavior, stress management, life skills for children and parenting; handling relationships, public education, awareness, trauma counseling and spiritual counseling.

Body of Work

TV Series (Script): Mindwatch and Mann Ki Baat, for ‘Doordarshan’ channel

Past Consultant: National Institute of Ageing, USA and UNICEF, India

Visiting Faculty: National Institute of Public Co-operation and Child Development (NIPCCD) and

National Institute for Social Defence (NISD).

Co-Author of books: ‘Distress to Destress’ and ‘Couples in Harmony’

Trustee: RAHAT Charitable Trust (A Mental Health NGO)

Member, Governing Counsel: Richmond Fellowship Society of India (Delhi)

Awards: T.P. Jhunjhunwal Foundation’s 24th National Excellence Award for Medicine (2014); C.S. Kang Oration Award (Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists – 2016) and
Health Oscar of India, 2017

Core Team

Srishti Malik
Program Officer

Srishti is a development communication specialist with interest in health and environment. She has experience in project management, research and documentation. Srishti looks after the project requirements at Mind Specialists. You can contact her at srishti@mindspecialists.com

Jatin Kumar
Filmmaker

Jatin has worked in the film making industry for over a decade. His mastery in tailoring videos and experience as a non-linear video editor has allowed him to edit several documentaries & short films as well as Marathi and Bollywood movies.

Rajeev Verma
Administrative Manager

Rajeev has over 28 years of administrative management experience. He is the nodal person for all business and administration related queries for Mind Specialists. You can contact him at rajeev@mindspecialists.com

Urvi Gauri
Content Strategist and Social Media Specialists

With experience in different genres of writing, Urvi is known to weave magic with her words. Having worked with reputed organisations as a content writer, she has also been involved in the field of communications. At Mind Specialists, Urvi looks after all the content requirements and implementation of communication strategies. You can contact her at urvi@mindspecialists.com

Support Team

Manasi Sharma
Public Health Consultant
Aprajita Sharma
Behaviour Change Communication Specialist
Mohak Rastogi
Website Development Consultant
Sunakshi Gupta
Graphic Designer
Anirudh Sharma
Media Consultant
Girish Joshi
Account Manager
Anil Mandal
Office Assistant
Ranjan Joshi
Office Assistant
Rakesh Gill
Transport Assistant
Bachche Singh
Production Assistant

Advisory Board

Suresh Oberoi

An internationally recognized film actor with over 250 films, Mr. Suresh Oberoi has a keen interest in exploring and experiencing spirituality in practical life. He started conducting SOUL classes 15 years ago and currently hosts “Awakening with Brahma Kumaris” – a show on mental health and spiritual growth, with Sister B. K. Shivani.

Dinesh Bhugra

Past president of the World Psychiatric Association (2014-2017) and recipient of over 10 honorary degrees, Prof. Dinesh Bhugra has also authored over 350 scientific papers and is responsible for worldwide campaigns against stigma and discrimination.

Zohra Chatterji

A retired IAS officer, ex-Secretary, Ministry of Textiles and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, are just a few feathers in the hat of Ms. Zohra Chatterji. She has also received The PM’s award for Excellence in Public Administration.

Anil Malhotra

Founder and Chairman of the ICS group, Mr. Anil Malhotra has been instrumental in the IT education of over a million students. He has also been honored with the Rashtriya Samman by the Government of India and also the Governor General of Canada’s Medallion for contribution to Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Canada and India.

Sayantan Chakraborty

A Third Generation journalist, Mr. Sayantan Chakraborty is amongst the 12 select writers picked by Scholastic Education to promote advanced English in schools worldwide. Currently, he is a publishing entrepreneur and editor of India Empire magazine.

Aparna Khanna

Dr. Aparna Khanna is an Associate Professor at the Department of Development Communication and Extension, Lady Irwin College (University of Delhi). She is involved in teaching, training, research and extension for more than twenty-eight years. She has been working closely with organizations providing services to women and youth in grassroots communities. She designs communication tools and strategies (especially centred around games and storytelling) using a participatory approach to promote desirable change with regard to contemporary development issues.

Kanupriya

Ms. Kanupriya has been a celebrated media person for over 15 years with experience in acting, hosting, scriptwriting, making films, RJing and in Theatre Productions. Along with being host to shows like “Awakening with Brahma Kumaris” and “Mann Ki Baat”, she is director of the Karambhoomi series on Bindaas channel that is looking to create leaders that follow the path of self-awareness and decision making.

Ravi Singhania

Mr. Ravi Singhania is the Managing Partner of Singhania and Partners, a top-rated law firm. He has been advising the World Bank since 2004 on FDI related matters and is counted amongst the top legal luminaries in India in independent surveys conducted by Lexis Nexis and Indian Corporate Counsels Association.

Punita Sharma

Ms. Punita Sharma is an IT and Telecom Specialist with over 28 years of experience with expertise in Automation for Travel, Media and Consulting industries. Her passion for People Development has led her to be actively involved in CSR area of her organization for over 5 years, with special focus on Mental Health.

About RAHAT

RAHAT (Rehabilitation of Ailing Humans through Action and Treatment) is a non-profit charitable organization created to meet a growing need for community based programs in the field of health, particularly mental health, laying special emphasis on preventive education, health awareness and early intervention.

RAHAT was formed in 1988 to augment the meager existing facilities in the area of health education and action programs with community orientation. This need was particularly felt amidst the increasing stresses of modern living, leading to a breakdown in the coping abilities of individuals, including facing mental health problems caught at such crossroads and has been working since then to achieve these objectives. www.rahat.org

About Better Minds

Better Minds is an organization that empowers individuals to explore and acknowledge their strengths and assets that help them move towards doing better if already doing well. The organization is happy to collaborate with groups of people, institutions or other organizations with a focus on prevention of mental illnesses and promotion of mental health and emotional well-being. It does so by developing and conducting training and capacity building sessions as well as workshops via online and offline platforms. betterminds4all.com

About Mind Vision Enterprises

Mind Vision Enterprises is a Media Consultancy firm that was founded for creation of programs and projects for Awareness building, Advocacy, Public Education, Stigma Reduction & Training in areas of Health, especially Mental Health, Welfare & Education. For over 20 years now, it has been doing this successfully through Production of Audio Visual Films, Audio programs, Print Material and Manuals, offering quality products and educational content for production of television serials, short films, radio programs etc. for public awareness including CSR.

Mind Vision Enterprises has been empaneled with the Directorate of Audio Visual Publicity (DAVP) and National Films Development Corporation (NFDC) and Doordarshan (www.mindvisionenterprises.com).