How is the life of a psychiatrist who runs an old age home in India?
The life of a psychiatrist in India can be challenging and demanding. Psychiatrists often face heavy workloads due to the increasing demand for mental healthcare services in the country. In India, there is a shortage of mental health professionals, leading to a high patient-to-doctor ratio. This shortage puts significant pressure on psychiatrists, who must often handle a large number of cases, leaving them with limited time for each patient.
Moreover, the stigma surrounding mental health in India can present additional challenges. Many people hesitate to seek help for mental health issues, leading to delayed or inadequate treatment (Read this article). Psychiatrists may need to invest time and effort in educating the public and breaking down the barriers associated with seeking mental health support.
During my journey, I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Animesh Chavhan, MD, a psychiatrist, who provided me with valuable insights into the challenges faced by psychiatrists and their involvement in mental health wellness programs. Despite being a man of few words, Dr. Chavhan’s responses were direct, honest, and to the point, which was refreshing.
From his college days, Dr. Chavhan was actively engaged in socially oriented student movements. He was influenced by the renowned social worker and activist, Dr. Narendra Dhabolkar, which led him to pursue a career in psychiatry. Interacting with someone who possesses a deep understanding of the human brain, a level of understanding that many of us lack, provided profound insights. It made me reflect on the internal experiences of individuals who work with psychologically ill patients and elderly individuals.
Although my interaction was brief due to Dr. Chavhan’s busy schedule, I absorbed as much knowledge as possible from our conversation. Dr. Chavhan’s expertise and perspective shed light on the complexities of being a psychiatrist and the inner experiences they navigate while providing care and support to their patients.
Psychiatry to psychology
In 1995, Dr. Animesh Chauhan established his own clinic called Maitra Clinic, where he has been practicing as a psychiatrist ever since. Alongside him, he has two associates who contribute to the clinic’s services. One of his associates is Dr. Vaishali Chauhan, his wife, who is an anesthesiologist and a psychotherapist herself. The other associate is Prachi Mastoli, who specializes in counseling and psychotherapy. Together, they form a team dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health care at Maitra Clinic.
Maitra clinic (https://maitraclinic.com/sukooon)
During our conversation, Dr. Animesh Chauhan explained to me the unique help-seeking patterns prevalent in India. He observed that many individuals only seek medical assistance at clinics, while refraining from seeking psychological help for their issues. Drawing from his years of experience, he recognized the importance of providing psychological support to those in need.
In 2018, Dr. Chauhan, along with his associate Prachi Mastoli, who shared a similar mindset and a long-term vision of aiding society, initiated a project called Swa.tantra. This app-based platform aims to bridge the gap by offering online access to psychologists and psychiatrists. Currently in the beta stage, Swa.tantra employs a set of questionnaires that individuals can answer to assess their mental health status. Based on their responses, the platform recommends corresponding activities to help maintain good mental well-being.
To further support individuals who require a physical space to relax and rejuvenate, a clinic named the Mind and Body Clinic was established adjacent to Maitra Clinic. This complementary facility allows people utilizing the Swa.tantra platform to visit and avail themselves of relaxation services.
During his journey, Dr. Animesh Chauhan came up with a brilliant idea to create a unique space that combines a cafe, a mind and body gym clinic, and an art and book collection. This innovative concept provides indirect psychological support to individuals in a comfortable and non-intimidating environment. Leveraging the expertise of his sister, who is a librarian, Dr. Chauhan curated a collection of books to complement the cafe experience.
Amidst the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Chauhan brought his idea to life and established the integrated cafe, gym, and art space. When I had the opportunity to visit the place, I was captivated by the serene ambiance that immediately invited relaxation. Musical instruments were available for anyone to pick up and play, creating a soothing atmosphere. Books were scattered throughout the space, encouraging visitors to immerse themselves in literature and art. The mind and body gym provided a tranquil setting for meditation and yoga activities, promoting overall well-being.
In addition to his roles as a full-time psychiatrist, online mental health service provider, and entrepreneur in the cafe industry, Dr. Animesh Chauhan, along with his associates, embarked on yet another venture called Navachetana—an old age care center. Recognizing the needs of elderly individuals who require medical attention and a nurturing environment, Navachetana aims to provide comprehensive care for the elderly.
Although the care center is relatively new, having been established less than a year ago, Dr. Chauhan and his team are dedicated to offering a safe and supportive space for the elderly population. Despite his busy schedule, Dr. Chauhan manages to navigate between his various commitments, ensuring that each endeavor receives the attention and care it deserves.
Navachetana (https://instagram.com/_nccare?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
During my visit to Navachetana and Sukoon cafe, I was struck by the delightful atmosphere that permeated both places. The employees exuded genuine warmth, consistently wearing smiles on their faces and treating others with kindness and respect. Equally important, they were also reciprocated with the same level of care and consideration from others. This observation resonates with a pattern I have noticed during my journey, where numerous successful entrepreneurs and businessmen prioritize and value their employees (Read this article and this article).
While I was at Sukoon cafe, I had the pleasure of meeting Aman, Dr. Chavhan’s son, who graciously introduced me to one of the cafe’s workers. Similarly, at Navachetana, Dr. Vaishali personally introduced me to a staff member there. This gesture demonstrated the profound sense of respect and gratitude that Dr. Chavhan and his associates hold for their team members.
The mind of a psychiatrist
I had the opportunity to delve deeper into Dr. Chavhan’s perspectives on life, given his extensive experience working closely with individuals as a psychiatrist. With an understanding that his profession must have provided him with valuable life lessons, I proceeded to ask him thought-provoking questions about his outlook.
Justifications
When asked about his choice of psychiatry over other professions and the reasoning for all his ventures, Dr. Chavhan shared that he simply embraced the opportunity that came his way first. He expressed that there were numerous junctures in his journey where he could have taken a different path, but he never hesitated to make decisions. For him, every decision was based on what he believed he could excel at in that particular moment, and he never harbored regrets for outcomes that didn’t meet his expectations. Instead of dwelling on the past, he focused on finding solutions and rectifying any challenges that arose. Interestingly, this perspective resonated with a similar viewpoint expressed by an NGO worker in Goa, highlighting the importance of choosing a profession and sticking with it (read this article).
Validations
Impressed by his candidness, I proceeded to inquire about who Dr. Chavhan sought validation from in his life. He openly acknowledged that seeking validation was indeed a negative aspect of his personality. While he intellectually understood that self-validation was all that mattered, he admitted that he wasn’t always emotionally self-reliant. He found himself seeking validation for his actions from those who were dear to him, as their opinions and support held significance in his life.
Complaints
Dr. Chavhan expressed his primary grievances in life, revealing that he had always been engrossed in pursuing various accomplishments. However, he emphasized that the past 4-5 years had brought about a positive shift. He acknowledged that there are no set limitations to what one can achieve and stated his desire to embrace whatever opportunities come his way and make the most of what remains.
Materialism
When asked about his response to acquiring a substantial amount of wealth, Dr. Chavhan shared his perspective. He expressed his intention to cease working solely for monetary gain and instead devote himself to his passions and interests. While he would continue his current endeavors, he acknowledged that he might approach them with less intensity. He emphasized his commitment to providing psychological assistance to individuals who do not typically seek help in clinics. Additionally, Dr. Chavhan revealed his spiritual inclination and his desire to invest time in exploring spirituality. For him, the essence of spirituality lies in understanding how to live life and studying the nature of the soul.
It was a privilege engaging in a meaningful conversation with Dr. Animesh Chavhan. His responses were not only unique but also diverged significantly from the ones I had encountered throughout my journey. I was particularly struck by his honest reflections on the complaints in life and the pursuit of materialistic desires.
I invite you to share your own thoughts and perspectives on the role and experiences of psychiatrists. Please feel free to leave your comments below; I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject.
I am a 31 year young PhD graduate who has decided to travel the length and breadth of India on my cycle, to document the journey of meeting a vast array of people. In my journey, I intend to understand the characteristic features of the people of this nation and categorize them based on their demographics, age, profession, gender, traditions, and cultural differences.
Its interesting to see that even a trained psychologist says that he seeks external validation. It is indeed a difficult task to be happy with self validation for an untrained individual.