Godrej Consumer Products and InnerHour announce ‘Mind Care+’ initiative for healthcare professionals

Under the initiative, InnerHour to organise pro-bono therapy sessions for healthcare professionals across India with support from Godrej Consumer Products Limited

Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) and InnerHour have come together to offer ‘Mind Care+’ programme for healthcare professionals. Supported by GCPL CSR, through this initiative, InnerHour will reach out to a cross-section of more than five million doctors, nurses and frontline health care professionals (HCPs), the companies said in a joint statement.

The statement also said that HCPs have been at the forefront in the battle against COVID-19. The higher risks of infections amongst HCPs, coupled with a sense of duty towards patients and the need to protect loved ones, has resulted in increased susceptibility to mental health conditions. As per the Indian Medical Association (IMA), at least 40 per cent of doctors were infected with COVID-19, with more than 1,000 having succumbed to the disease since April 2020. In this context, HCPs are at increased risk of mental health disorders like addiction, insomnia, stress, anxiety and depression. To support HCPs in their efforts against the pandemic through effective management and counsel, ‘Mind Care+’ will provide pro-bono therapy sessions beginning July 2021.

Through its app-based platform, InnerHour offers free assessments, a range of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Tools (CBTs), personalised content and one-on-one support to individuals. In addition to the digital self-help tools, users can access a network of over 120 qualified and experienced therapists across 150 cities in India, added the statement.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr Amit Malik, Founder and CEO, InnerHour, said, “The platform is designed to bridge  the access and treatment gap for Indians struggling with mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, depression, grief and trauma. Due to the pandemic, healthcare professionals are working tirelessly and under tremendous pressure to provide critical care to COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. With ‘Mind Care+,’ we are committed to support our peer healthcare professionals with self-help tools and remote counselling services.”

Further commenting on this collaboration, Sunil Kataria, CEO, India and SAARC, GCPL, said, “At GCPL, we have been running the employee assistance programme for over two years. The initiative has been well-received, and has helped employees cope with the present-day challenges. Healthcare professionals are the frontline heroes in our battle with COVID-19. Our hearts go out to professionals who have been affected directly. This initiative is extending our employee assistance programme to healthcare professionals in India to help them seek therapy to address burnout, post-traumatic stress and anxiety.”