Every year on October 10, the world observes World Mental Health Day to promote awareness, understanding, and support for mental well-being. The theme for 2025, “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” underscores the importance of integrating mental health care into emergency and crisis response systems—ensuring that psychological support becomes as essential as physical aid during disasters.
In this context, MedBound Times spoke with Dr. Anjalika Atrey, MBBS, DNB (Psychiatry) — a Consultant Psychiatrist at CritiCare Asia Hospital, Juhu, Mumbai, who has over two decades of experience in psychotherapy and mental health care. Dr. Atrey guides individuals through diverse challenges, including anxiety, depression, OCD, insomnia, and relationship issues, while also specializing in sexual wellness and emotional intimacy concerns.
Recognized nationally for her work, she has received several honors such as the Global Excellence Award (2024), Iconic Psychiatrist Award (2025), and Feminine Empowerment Award (2025). Beyond clinical care, she actively contributes to awareness initiatives like the Pads4Freedom campaign led by cricketer Kapil Dev and mentors emerging professionals through the World Mental Health Association (WMHA).
In this interview with Vanshika Kalra of MedBound Times, Dr. Anjalika Atrey discusses how small daily habits can strengthen mental health, why early awareness and education are essential to combating stigma, and how crises like the pandemic have reshaped the psychological landscape. She also reflects on the rise of digital lifestyles, the promise and pitfalls of AI in psychiatry, and the emotional balance required in caring for patients.
Vanshika Kalra: What inspired you to choose psychiatry as your specialization?
Dr. Anjalika Atrey: After MBBS, I realised that while it was often easy to heal the body, helping the mind heal was far more complex. I saw patients walk out of wards physically recovered, yet emotionally burdened. That contrast deeply moved me. Psychiatry gave me the opportunity to address those unseen struggles and help people truly heal from within.
Vanshika Kalra: What does “mental health” mean to you, and how is it different from mental illness?
Dr. Anjalika Atrey: To me, mental health is about balance. The ability to think clearly, feel deeply, and respond to life’s challenges without losing yourself. It’s the foundation of how we live, connect, and make decisions.
Mental illness, on the other hand, is when that balance is disrupted. When emotions, thoughts, or behaviours begin to affect daily life. Just like physical health, our mental health also needs care and attention before it reaches that point.
Vanshika Kalra: Why do you think mental health still carries stigma in society?
Dr. Anjalika Atrey: I believe mental health still carries stigma because much of it comes from a lack of awareness. People often fear what they don’t understand, and mental health is still surrounded by myths and misinformation. When we begin to talk about it more openly, normalise therapy, and educate families and schools, the stigma starts to lose its power.
Vanshika Kalra: What are some small daily habits people can practice to improve their mental health?
Dr. Anjalika Atrey: Mental health improves through small, consistent actions. Simple habits like maintaining a regular sleep schedule, spending time outdoors, expressing gratitude, and staying connected with loved ones can make a huge difference. Even 10 minutes of mindfulness or deep breathing each day can calm the mind and improve emotional balance over time.
Vanshika Kalra: What are some warning signs non-psychiatrists (like general physicians or even family members) should watch for to recommend psychiatric help early?
Dr. Anjalika Atrey: One of the biggest warning signs is a noticeable change in daily functioning, when someone begins to withdraw socially, loses interest in things they once enjoyed, or struggles with routine tasks. Other red flags include changes in sleep, appetite, mood swings, or excessive worry. When these symptoms persist and start affecting work, relationships, or self-care, it’s time to seek psychiatric help early.
Vanshika Kalra: If you had the power to implement one immediate policy reform in mental health, what would it be?
Dr. Anjalika Atrey: If I could implement one immediate policy reform, it would be to make mental health education a part of every school curriculum. Teaching children emotional awareness, coping skills, and empathy from a young age would normalise mental health conversations early and reduce stigma in future generations. Prevention always begins with awareness.
Vanshika Kalra: How do humanitarian crises and emergencies affect mental health in communities, and what common issues arise?
Dr. Anjalika Atrey: Humanitarian crises and emergencies often leave deep psychological scars that aren’t immediately visible. Emergencies increase stress levels exponentially. Sudden loss of homes, livelihoods, or loved ones can trigger intense fear, helplessness, and hopelessness. Anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms are common, and vulnerable groups such as children or the elderly may suffer disproportionately.
Vanshika Kalra: How can mental health services be made more accessible during natural disasters, conflicts, or public health emergencies?
Dr. Anjalika Atrey: During disasters or conflicts, mental health services can be made more accessible through telemedicine. Video consultations, helplines, and mobile apps allow people to connect with professionals even when travel is difficult. Training frontline workers to recognise distress, setting up counselling centres at shelters, and including psychologists in emergency response teams. Making care part of broader aid ensures people receive help as part of basic survival support.
Vanshika Kalra: Post-COVID, many people report heightened anxiety, depression, and burnout. How has this shifted your practice or patient demographics?
Dr. Anjalika Atrey: The pandemic changed daily life almost overnight. Many patients, especially younger adults, struggled with isolation and uncertainty, while older adults faced stress adapting to remote work and disrupted routines. Anxiety, depression, and burnout became more common, leading me to place greater emphasis on resilience-building, digital detox strategies, and balancing work-life boundaries in my practice.
Vanshika Kalra: Social media and digital lifestyles are increasingly linked to mental health issues, what’s your perspective on this trend?
Dr. Anjalika Atrey: One challenge of social media is the constant exposure to others’ curated lives. Comparing ourselves to these “highlight reels” can increase feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, or low self-esteem. I guide patients to develop perspective, limit scrolling, and focus on meaningful offline connections.
Vanshika Kalra: How do you personally handle the emotional weight of working with patients in distress? What activities or hobbies help you maintain your own mental well-being?
Dr. Anjalika Atrey: Working with patients in distress can be emotionally intense. During my training, I realised that managing emotional weight requires both structure and support. Short breaks during the day and open conversations with loved ones help me decompress. Maintaining these routines ensures that I can be fully present for my patients without compromising my own well-being.
Vanshika Kalra: How do you see AI, telepsychiatry, and digital therapeutics shaping the future of psychiatric care?
Dr. Anjalika Atrey: AI, telepsychiatry, and digital therapeutics can greatly expand access to mental health services, especially for people in remote areas. However, these tools aren’t perfect. AI can sometimes give incorrect or incomplete insights. The accuracy and effectiveness of care still depend on a trained psychiatrist to interpret results and guide treatment.
Vanshika Kalra: What advice would you give to young doctors considering psychiatry as a career?
Dr. Anjalika Atrey: I would advise young doctors to actively attend sessions, workshops, and training that expand their understanding of human emotions. Psychiatry is not just about diagnosing patients, but also about navigating feelings, both of the patients and your own. Continuous learning and emotional awareness are key to becoming an effective psychiatrist.
MSM