dianachandran2223@gmail.com < Back to People Page > Clinical Team Diana Chandran Psychologist

harshitha3158@gmail.com < Back to People Page > Lab Team Harshitha KS Research Nurse

Participate in Our Research Be a part of our groundbreaking research initiatives by volunteering! Our research delves into understanding the complexities behind severe psychiatric illnesses. Our studies may involve - non-invasive methods like EEG recordings, where sensors are placed on the scalp to capture brainwave activity MRI brain scans simple measurements of button-press responses or eye movements blood sample which will be used for genetic and stem cell studies For more information about which studies are currently recruiting volunteers, click the project names to read about the work and go through the hyperlinked information & consent forms listed below. If you are eager to participate as a research volunteer, click the project you wish to volunteer for and fill out the Google form. Once registered, we will reach out to you when a suitable study becomes available. Your involvement plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the human brain, and we welcome you to be a part of our exciting journey in pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration. Who can volunteer? Unaffected Volunteers PARAM ENIGMA Anyone who has not been diagnosed with a severe mental illness, nor have any of their immediate family members. Anyone without major/severe development delays who can sit through a neuropsychology assessment and answer questions would be eligible for our assessments. Healthy elders, persons with Alzheimer’s dementia, and persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI—a stage between normal cognitive functioning and dementia)

LinkedIn reachoutamirtha@gmail.com < Back to People Page > Lab Team Amirtha Varshini Project Associate Amirtha Varshini is a Project Associate at the Centre for Brain and Mind. She has a Master's degree in Biochemistry. You can find her lost in a good book or humming her favourite tunes when she's not in the lab.

With support from the IndiaBioscience Outreach Grant, we created platforms for scientists, clinicians, patients, caregivers, and general public to connect and share insights. Through awareness events, expert interviews, an art competition, and an e-book, we sparked conversations on mental health, tackled stigma, and made research more accessible. An informal, safe and supportive outreach approach to bridge the Mental Health Gap in India With support from the IndiaBioscience Outreach Grant , we created platforms for scientists, clinicians, patients, caregivers, and general public to connect and share insights. Through awareness events, expert interviews, an art competition, and an e-book, conversations sparked on mental health, tackling stigma, and making research more accessible. We committed to six events to be held during the funding period, geared towards facilitating interactions between researchers, clinicians, patients and caregivers around a different central theme. Explore each theme through pictures, videos, and resources below! Bipolar Disorder At Bangalore, our Bipolar Disorder themed event was organised to coincide with World Bipolar Day (March 30). The objective here was not only to raise awareness of this disorder but also to promote an empathetic attitude towards those who live with the disorder. We attempted to achieve this by offering participants an understanding of the life of someone with a severe mental health disorder diagnosis. Read more about it in our blog Dementia We organised a virtual screening of the documentary ‘Keys Bags Names Words’ which portrayed personal stories of families coping with dementia, inspiring hope and understanding of the condition. This was followed by a panel discussion , with members including filmmakers, and specialists from NIMHANS, emphasising insights into dementia's impact and India-specific statistics, along with support resources. Neurodivergence Not all neurodivergent individuals are patients needing regular medical care. Discussion at this event, structured as a panel discussion, especially in the context of higher education: challenges faced by neurodiverse students and what accommodations institutes could provide. We partnered with Dr. Satendra Singh (UCMS Delhi) to organise this event, who has worked extensively in this field in the context of medical education. Dyslexia and Autism, under Indian Law, are classified under intellectual disabilities, which are not aligned with the underlying biology or clinical presentation. Panellists shared that resolutions can take any number of forms, including but not limited to sensitizing faculty to challenges that may be faced by neurodivergent students. Watch the discussion here Workplace and Mental Health The event, organized at Bhopal, focused on identifying common workplace stressors and exploring strategies for managing them at both individual and organizational levels. The panel emphasized the importance of early identification of stressors and building stronger communication channels within workplaces. The need for employers to promote a positive work culture where employees feel safe seeking help without fear of stigma was also stressed upon. The discussion concluded with an elaboration on simple and effective self-care strategies that could be employed at an individual level to combat workplace stress. Exploring the narrative of mental illness This event was held at the India Science Festival at IISER Pune and live-streamed on Zoom. We invited participants to join us to discuss common beliefs about mental illness with neuroscientists, psychiatrists and people with lived experiences. Our conversations explored the concept of mental illnesses on a continuum of human behaviour, as we discussed what it would take to shift the conversations from “them and their diseases” to “us and who we are”. After some stimulating conversations with our speakers, we invited participants to use their imagination and creative skills to craft a message and help battle the misinformation surrounding mental illnesses. Recovery in Mental Illnesses This event explored the broad question of recovery in mental illnesses: what it looks like, how do we define it. Panelists included healthcare professionals and members of the Mental Health Foundation. Among the highlights of the panel discussion were the role of environmental factors and how they can affect the various aspects - from cause to onset to treatment of mental illnesses. An individual’s family is at the core of this, as expected. And this is also why family therapy is an important piece of recovery. One of the panellists, Mrs Saraswathi Suresh, a Caregiver, Mental Health Advocate and Founder of FAVMI (Families Voice for Mental Illness), shared how difficult it was for their family after her son’s diagnosis, due to lack of information and internalised stigma. They were socially isolated by relatives. However, family therapy introduced them to the concept of gratitude and creating a safe, accepting environment for their son, by keeping guilt and helplessness aside. Evidence-based information on the role of peer support in recovery, including in combating stigma. MIND: The Gap This e-book blends research, personal stories, and insights from our events to explore mental health holistically. It covers patient-derived stem cell research, neurodivergence, workplace well-being, and media myths, highlighting the impact of social factors. By bridging science, policy, and lived experiences, it advocates for a more inclusive and informed approach to mental healthcare. Download Cover Cover 1/1 Mental Health Interview Series Play Video Play Video 00:40 Dementia Awareness FAQ What are some public health approaches which will aid awareness about dementia in low and middle income countries? Dr PT Sivakumar from NIMHANS answers your questions. This explainer series focuses on breaking stigmas surrounding psychiatric illnesses and spreading knowledge! Supported by IndiaBioscience and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. Partnering organisations: Centre for Brain and Mind NIMHANS, Bipolar India, Sangath India and Project Encephalon #short #shorts #ytshorts #youtubeshorts #youtubeshort #shortvideo #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #dementia #dementiacare #dementiasupport #dementiaawareness #dementiacaretipsandtricks Play Video Play Video 00:55 Supporting Dementia Caregivers FAQ How do we support care partners & families who take care of patients? Are there services that provide help? Dr PT Sivakumar from NIMHANS answers your questions. This explainer series focuses on breaking stigmas surrounding psychiatric illnesses and spreading knowledge! Supported by IndiaBioscience and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. Partnering organisations: Centre for Brain and Mind NIMHANS, Bipolar India, Sangath India and Project Encephalon #short #shorts #ytshorts #youtubeshorts #youtubeshort #shortvideo #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #dementia #dementiacare #dementiasupport #dementiaawareness #dementiacaretipsandtricks Play Video Play Video 00:54 Loneliness in Dementia FAQ How are loneliness & dementia connected? Can it be a risk to society, seeing as they affect the elderly & are becoming a public health concern? Dr PT Sivakumar from NIMHANS answers your questions. This explainer series focuses on breaking stigmas surrounding psychiatric illnesses and spreading knowledge! Supported by IndiaBioscience and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. Partnering organisations: Centre for Brain and Mind NIMHANS, Bipolar India, Sangath India and Project Encephalon #short #shorts #ytshorts #youtubeshorts #youtubeshort #shortvideo #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #dementia #dementiacare #dementiasupport #dementiaawareness #dementiacaretipsandtricks Play Video Play Video 00:47 Supporting Dementia Patients FAQ For people who are affected with dementia, what can family members do to slow down progress and make day to day life easier? Dr PT Sivakumar from NIMHANS answers your questions. This explainer series focuses on breaking stigmas surrounding psychiatric illnesses and spreading knowledge! Supported by IndiaBioscience and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. Partnering organisations: Centre for Brain and Mind NIMHANS, Bipolar India, Sangath India and Project Encephalon #short #shorts #ytshorts #youtubeshorts #youtubeshort #shortvideo #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #dementia #dementiacare #dementiasupport #dementiaawareness #dementiacaretipsandtricks Play Video Play Video 00:52 Suicide Awareness FAQ "I want to help someone I know. Does talking about suicide encourage it? Dr Vasundhara Teotia from NIMHANS explains. This explainer video series focuses on breaking stigmas surrounding psychiatric illnesses and spreading knowledge. Supported by IndiaBioscience and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. Partnering Organisations: Centre for Brain and Mind NIMHANS, Bipolar India, Sangath India and Project Encephalon Director: Anushka Banerjee (https://linktr.ee/anoooshka) Editor: Prithwish Patra (https://linktr.ee/prithwishpatra) #shorts #youtubeshorts #ytshorts #short #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #mentalhealth #psychiatry #shortsvideo #viralvideo #nimhans #neuroscience Play Video Play Video 00:55 आत्महत्या जागरूकता से जुड़े सामान्य प्रश्न (FAQ) #suicideprevention #suicideawareness "क्या आत्महत्या के बारे में बात करना उसे बढ़ावा देता है?" निमहांस की डॉ. वसुंधरा टेवटिया आपके सवालों का जवाब देती हैं। यह व्याख्यात्मक वीडियो श्रृंखला मानसिक बीमारियों की गलत धारणाओं को तोड़ने और जानकारी फैलाने पर केंद्रित है! समर्थन: इंडिया बायोसाइंस और रोहिणी निलेकणी फिलैंथ्रोपीज साझेदार संगठन: सेंटर फॉर ब्रेन एंड माइंड, बाइपोलर इंडिया, संगठ इंडिया और प्रोजेक्ट एनसेफेलॉन। निर्देशन: अनुष्का बनर्जी (https://linktr.ee/anoooshka) संपादन: प्रितविश पात्रा (https://linktr.ee/prithwishpatra) #mentalhealth #neuroscience #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #bengaluru #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthstruggles #mentalhealthsupport #shorts #ytshorts #youtubeshorts #short #ytshortsindia #shortsindia Play Video Play Video 00:48 Dealing with Suicidal Thoughts FAQ "How do I deal with thoughts of suicide?" Dr Vasundhara Teotia from NIMHANS answers your questions. This explainer video series focuses on breaking stigmas surrounding psychiatric illnesses and spreading knowledge. Supported by IndiaBioscience and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. Partnering Organisations: Centre for Brain and Mind NIMHANS, Bipolar India, Sangath India and Project Encephalon Director: Anushka Banerjee (https://linktr.ee/anoooshka) Editor: Prithwish Patra (https://linktr.ee/prithwishpatra) #shorts #youtubeshorts #ytshorts #short #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #mentalhealth #psychiatry #shortsvideo #viralvideo #nimhans #neuroscience #neuroscience #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #bengaluru #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthstruggles #mentalhealthsupport #shorts #ytshorts #youtubeshorts #short #ytshortsindia #shortsindia Play Video Play Video 00:52 आत्महत्या के विचारों का सामना: कुछ सामान्न्य प्रश्न (FAQ) #mentalhealth "आत्महत्या के विचारों का सामना कैसे करें? निमहांस की डॉ. वसुंधरा टेवटिया आपके सवालों का जवाब देती हैं। यह व्याख्यात्मक वीडियो श्रृंखला मानसिक बीमारियों की गलत धारणाओं को तोड़ने और जानकारी फैलाने पर केंद्रित है! समर्थन: इंडिया बायोसाइंस और रोहिणी निलेकणी फिलैंथ्रोपीज साझेदार संगठन: सेंटर फॉर ब्रेन एंड माइंड, बाइपोलर इंडिया, संगठ इंडिया और प्रोजेक्ट एनसेफेलॉन। निर्देशन: अनुष्का बनर्जी (https://linktr.ee/anoooshka) संपादन: प्रितविश पात्रा (https://linktr.ee/prithwishpatra) #mentalhealth #neuroscience #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #bengaluru #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthstruggles #mentalhealthsupport #shorts #ytshorts #youtubeshorts #short #ytshortsindia #shortsindia Play Video Play Video 00:39 Warning Signs of Suicide FAQ "What are warning signs that someone is seriously contemplating suicide?" Dr Vasundhara Teotia from NIMHANS answers your questions. This explainer video series focuses on breaking stigmas surrounding psychiatric illnesses and spreading knowledge. Supported by IndiaBioscience and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. Partnering Organisations: Centre for Brain and Mind - NIMHANS, Bipolar India, Sangath India and Project Encephalon Director: Anushka Banerjee (https://linktr.ee/anoooshka) Editor: Prithwish Patra (https://linktr.ee/prithwishpatra) #shorts #youtubeshorts #ytshorts #short #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #mentalhealth #psychiatry #shortsvideo #viralvideo #nimhans #neuroscience #neuroscience #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #bengaluru #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthstruggles #mentalhealthsupport #shorts #ytshorts #youtubeshorts #short #ytshortsindia #shortsindia Load More This explainer video series focuses on breaking stigmas surrounding psychiatric illnesses and spreading knowledge. Project PI: Dr Reeteka Sud, Centre for Brain and Mind, NIMHANS Collaborators: Dr. Anant Bhan, Bhopal Hub Sangath Vijay Nallawala, Bipolar India Shriya Naidu, Consultant, Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology (FAST) India Ankush Chakraborty, Jhillika Trisal, Rithika Chunduri, Saidharshini Muthiah, Dhanashri Satav, Project Encephalon Coordinators: Anushka Banerjee & Kadambari Patil Design: Sukriti Chordiya and Savitha Sekhar

shradha.venkat@gmail.com < Back to People Page > Clinical Team Shradha Venkataramanan Scientist C (Non-Medical)

joancpuzhakkal@yahoo.com < Back to People Page > Clinical Team, Research Students and Fellows Dr Joan C Puzhakkal Post Doctoral Fellow

assistantgenect@gmail.com < Back to People Page > Admin Team Jayashree R Administrative Assistant I'm working as Administrative Assistant at the GenECT. With bachelor of degree, and also I'm data science student and I have experience working in data science project (text mining, LLM), accounting, data entry and management.

syedazoya9408@gmail.com < Back to People Page > Clinical Team Syeda Zoya Scientist C (Non-Medical)

sunilkumarmorigeri9594@gmail.com < Back to People Page > Sunil Kumar Morigeri Technical Assistant (Laboratory)