HEALTHCARE
Healing Minds, Building Happiness
At Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences (GAIMS), healthcare is understood in its truest sense — where physical well-being is inseparable from mental wellness.
Dr Monali Jani
Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences (GAIMS) believes that there is no health without mental health. In a world that is constantly connected yet increasingly overwhelmed, happiness has become a public health priority rather than a personal pursuit. As India advances economically and digitally, mental well-being has emerged as one of the nation’s most pressing health challenges. Stress, anxiety, addiction and emotional fatigue are affecting individuals across age groups, making mental health not merely a medical concern but a shared societal responsibility.
India ranks 118th among 147 countries in the World Happiness Report 2025. The National Mental Health Survey reveals that nearly one in seven Indians is affected by a mental disorder. Substance-use disorders contribute significantly to this burden, while behavioural addictions such as excessive screen use and gaming are rising sharply, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that depression and anxiety cost the economy over USD 1 trillion each year.
Against this backdrop, GAIMS envisions 2026 as a turning point—integrating mental well-being into mainstream healthcare to help build a healthier, happier society.
Psychiatry Department at GAIMS: From Treatment to Transformation
The Department of Psychiatry at GAIMS plays a central role in realising this vision. With strong emphasis on early identification, de-addiction, counselling and community engagement, the department addresses both clinical and social dimensions of mental health treating more than 2300 patients every month including adolescents and children. Geriatric patients who have dementia, depression and anxiety have also been treated over the last four years. The department has successfully de-addicted more than 200 substance addicted patients.
2026 Initiatives: De-addiction & Awareness for All
In 2026, GAIMS plans to intensify its mental health outreach through:
- De-addiction camps targeting substance and behavioral addictions
- Age-specific awareness sessions for school children, college students, working professionals and senior citizens
- Digital well-being programs addressing mobile gaming, social media overuse and screen fatigue
- Community and workplace sensitisation initiatives promoting stress management and emotional resilience
These programs aim to move beyond treatment—towards prevention, awareness and destigmatisation.
Addiction today is no longer limited to substances alone. We increasingly see behavioral addictions like mobile gaming, excessive screen time and digital dependency impacting academic performance, family relationships and emotional health. What once powered industries of the past is now powering the logistics of the future.”
Dr Riddhi Thacker
Department of Psychiatry, GAIMS.
Our focus is on Inclusive Holistic recovery—combining Medical Care, Psychotherapy, Family Support and Community Awareness to ensure long-term well-being.”
Dr Balaji Pillai
Director- Medical GAIMS.
GAIMS Gharanas: Mentorship as Mental Health Support
Complementing clinical initiatives is the GAIMS Gharanas Mentorship House System, a unique model fostering emotional support, belonging and guidance among students. By strengthening mentor-mentee bonds, the Gharanas serve as a powerful preventive mental health tool—helping young minds navigate academic pressure, emotional challenges and life transitions.
A Collective Commitment
As GAIMS looks ahead to 2026, its commitment remains unwavering: to heal not only the body, but also the mind. Through psychiatry-led interventions, de-addiction initiatives and mentorship-driven care, GAIMS continues to contribute meaningfully towards a society that is mentally resilient, emotionally balanced and truly happy.
The writer works at Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences (GAIMS), Bhuj.