Dr. Sanjay Pathak

Dr.Sanjay Pathak MBBS,
Diploma in Community Mental Health - NIMHANS
Masters in clinical Psychology,
PhD research Scholar,
Department of Psychology HP University, Shimla.

Counselor Dr.Sanjay Pathak

Working in a psychiatric hospital for close to seven years I got to know that the psychiatric illnesses are much more prevalent than generally perceived and number of the mental health professional is way too short to cater to the needs of the number of patients.

Considering that the major mental illnesses constitute 1-2 % and 8-10% people suffer from minor mental illnesses number of people who require psychoeducation, counselling and psycho-therapy and treatment have limited options. As a result, not only patients but their care givers suffer a lot due to the lack of the awareness about the true nature to the disease and their ignorance where to seek treatment. Very often they take recourse to the faith healers and their magical remedies. Again, associated stigma with mental illnesses also prevents people from approaching the psychiatric and psychological help.

In the present-day society individualistic approach towards life , personal gain underlying guiding principle and increasing level of aspirations has resulted in increasing isolation .Lack of deeper emotional social relationships has adversely affected the psychological well-being and anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide rate is increasing. People do not find anyone to share their emotional state with friends and family.

Online counselling provides them a platform to vent out their emotions and regain balance and strive forward in life with some meaning and purpose. I intend to provide psychoeducation, counsel clients , provide therapy and treatment if needed and suggest referral for better treatment for major mental illnesses.