Neerja Birla and Ananya Birla launch Mpower Centre

Mpower Centre, which will work to create awareness and alleviate stigmas towards mental health

Neerja Birla along with daughter Ananya Birla, has announced the launch of Mpower Centre, which will work to create awareness and alleviate stigmas towards mental health. Dr Zirak Marker, child psychiatrist is also a part of this endeavour. He will help in building this centre which is based in South Mumbai.

The Mpower Centre will serve as multi-disciplinary institute to provide assistance, accurate diagnostics, treatment and support to children, adolescents, their families and caregivers. The centre also aims to build a society that accepts, understands and supports people with mental disorders.

Reportedly, the Mpower Centre team will include child and adolescent psychiatrists, social workers, clinical psychologists, community health workers, child psychotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, special educators, educational psychologists, as well as art, music and drama therapists. There will be a multi-disciplinary team providing a specialised service for children and adolescents with more severe, complex and persistent disorders. The Mpower Centre seeks to be a single window operation to develop an effective model for child and adolescent mental health.

Commenting on the occasion, Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson, Mpower said, “In India, there is a huge stigma attached to one suffering from mental illness, which leads to immense struggle for individuals and their families. Also, most of such problems go undetected due to lack of awareness and education on mental healthcare. The Mpower Centre offers world-class healthcare to those in need with resources and information, training and guidance, diagnostic evaluations, therapeutic interventions and psychological counselling, all under one roof.”

Dr Zirak Marker, Medical Director, Mpower added, “Many a times psychiatric, psychological and emotional problems often go undiagnosed and untreated as people attribute their condition to their circumstances rather than a treatable medical condition. Adding to the already existing stigma are myths and misconceptions about psychiatric and psychological treatments that further deter families from seeking help. At the Mpower Centre, we encourage patients to treat and accept the mental illness which will ultimately help them to live a more meaningful, productive life but most importantly with respect and dignity. The centre has a dedicated space for children and adolescents to freely open up and express their feelings through alternative means and allied therapies. We intend to create a rich network of professionals and organisations, to empower people living with mental health concerns and psychosocial disabilities.”