When the Skies Became Scary

The tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has left an emotional scar far beyond the site. As visuals flood news and social media, anxiety around flying has spiked across the country. For many, boarding a flight now feels like stepping into uncertainty. The fear isn’t irrational—it’s human. It’s time experts talked about fear of flying and how to deal with such fears and anxieties.

Passengers Gripped by Fear

Since the crash, more passengers are reporting panic, especially during takeoff or turbulence. Some have cancelled trips, while others experience anxiety just entering airports. Fear of recurrence is common, and in many, it manifests as racing thoughts, breathlessness, or even in-flight panic attacks. One tragic event has unsettled thousands.

Post-Crash Trauma is Real

Even for those not onboard, trauma can linger. News exposure alone can trigger nightmares, flight avoidance, or anxiety. Some develop lasting phobias. This isn’t overreaction—it’s psychological shock. Recognizing early signs can prevent flight anxiety from turning into a long-term disorder.

What Happens in the Brain

Our brain’s fear center—the amygdala—goes into overdrive after traumatic events. Even safe flights can now feel dangerous. The mind begins to expect the worst, creating a loop of fear. Without help, this loop hardens into clinical anxiety.

How to Cope and Heal

For passengers, simple breathing techniques and grounding exercises can help manage symptoms. If fear persists, therapy—especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—can be effective. For crew and pilots, airlines must offer non-punitive support systems, wellness check-ins, and mental health resources.

The Ahmedabad crash has left more than physical devastation—it has shaken our collective sense of safety in the skies. But while flight anxiety may rise in the wake of tragedy, it must not be met with silence or shame. Whether it’s a nervous passenger, a shaken pilot, or a cabin crew member masking their fear while calming others, every emotional response is valid and deserves acknowledgment.

We often talk about mechanical safety checks and technical preparedness. It’s time we spoke just as seriously about emotional readiness and mental resilience. The human mind is not built to forget trauma overnight. But with the right support—professional help, institutional compassion, and societal understanding—it can heal.

The post Strategies for Coping with Fear Post-Ahmedabad Crash appeared first on NRI News.

INDIA: On the occasion of Father’s Day 2025, Mpower—an initiative by the Aditya Birla Education Trust—unveiled new insights into a critical yet often overlooked issue: the mental health of men in India.

A comprehensive five-year analysis of Mpower’s mental health helpline data shows a steady rise in male callers from 2020 to 2024. This trend highlights a significant shift in how men are approaching their emotional well-being, signaling a slow but meaningful erosion of stigma around seeking mental health support. Over this period, the helpline has provided a total of 141,212 hours of counseling, underscoring its pivotal role in supporting mental health across diverse demographics.

Key Insights from the Helpline:

• Total Male Callers (2020–2025): 19,750
• Peak Year: 2024, with 8,362 male callers
• Average Call Duration: 7.15 minutes for men, compared to 9.55 minutes for women
• Total Calls Received (All Genders): 114,776

Over the years, the concerns reported by male callers have evolved. In 2020, top issues included abuse, low self-esteem, and suicidal ideation. By 2021, anxiety and depression took center stage. Since 2022, relationship issues have increasingly emerged alongside anxiety and depression, with persistent concerns about psychological distress becoming more common.

This changing emotional landscape, coupled with a dramatic spike in male callers in 2024, underscores a shift in how men experience and express emotional vulnerability, especially among new fathers who increasingly report feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or isolated.

Rima Bhandekar, Clinical Psychologist and Head of the Mpower Helpline at Mpower—an initiative by the Aditya Birla Education Trust—stressed the urgent need for inclusive mental health reform: “The data from our helpline is a wake-up call. As we celebrate fathers today, we must also acknowledge the silent emotional struggles many of them face. Beneath the image of strength and responsibility often lies unspoken anxiety, self-doubt, and isolation. We’re increasingly coming across young, new fathers who feel overwhelmed, unsure of their ability to care for their child, and burdened by expectations. These emotions are not signs of weakness, but clear indicators of mental health distress that deserve our attention and care.

It’s time we move toward Acceptance, Action, and Advocacy—to break the stigma and build a mental health ecosystem that supports everyone, irrespective of gender. We must extend mental health resources—such as counselling, emotional support, and peer networks—to fathers as a standard part of care, not an exception. Recognizing their emotional needs is not indulgent; it’s integral to building resilient families and healthier communities.”

For those seeking immediate, confidential support, Mpower’s 1on1 mental health helpline is available 24/7 at 1800-120-820050. The service has become a crucial resource for thousands, offering a safe space for individuals to share and seek help without judgment.

This Father’s Day, Mpower urges families, communities, and policymakers to not only celebrate the fathers in their lives but also to support their emotional well-being, creating a future where mental health care is accessible, normalized, and prioritized as an essential component of holistic well-being.

The post On Father’s Day, Mpower Addresses the Alarming Increase in Men’s Mental Health Challenges appeared first on NRI News.

Before Mpower’s intervention, an analysis revealed that 70% of senior citizens viewed seeking mental health support as a sign of weakness, and 80% associated mental health issues with superstitions. In India, mental health is often seen as an age-related problem, with limited efforts to seek support or help, and the stigma surrounding mental health support is particularly strong in this age group. Many senior citizens face conditions such as depression, anxiety, and anger issues—challenges that can significantly impact their quality of life.

Over the past two years, Mpower has worked closely with senior citizens aged 58 to 75 at Vriddha Mitra and The Narayan Chandra Trust, focusing on raising awareness about mental health and offering support through positive mind and body conversations. This sustained engagement has led to a noticeable shift in perceptions. Post-workshop analysis shows that over 50% of participants now express a willingness to seek mental health support, and there has been a 20% decrease in those linking mental health issues to superstitions.

Speaking on the occasion Parveen Shaikh Vice President of Operations Mpower said “The mental health of our senior citizens is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of their overall well-being. At Mpower, we’ve seen first-hand how addressing mental health concerns can transform lives, breaking down the stigma and empowering our elders to seek the support they deserve. By integrating mental health care with traditional wellness approaches, we are not just enhancing their quality of life, but also reaffirming their invaluable role in our society.”

Adding further Shruti Padhye, Senior psychologist and manages Mpower Cell, mentioned “With age, our senior citizens face multiple insecurities, from changes in their independence post-retirement to increased reliance on their children. Many activities they once did independently are now curtailed, leading to a sense of loss. In India, old age is often viewed with bias, further enabling discrimination based on age, which deeply impacts the mental health of individuals over 60. Many experience episodes of depression, anxiety, uncertainty, and vulnerability. It is crucial to seek expert help to navigate these challenges, rather than dismissing them as age-related mood swings or stubbornness.”

The post Mpower’s Initiative Reveals 70% of Senior Citizens in India See Mental Health Support as Weakness appeared first on NRI News.

The cyclothon is the brainchild of Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson, of Mpower, and was started to encourage conversations on mental health and encourage the community to come together to stamp out associated stigma. She shared her thoughts on the 5^th edition of Ride to Mpower, saying, “Every pedal stroke symbolizes a step forward in our collective journey towards destigmatizing mental health. Through unity and action, we can create a world where mental well-being is prioritized and embraced by all.”

The post Ride To Mpower Kicks Off With Over 200 Cyclists Riding From Pune To Mumbai To Raise Awareness About Mental Health appeared first on NRI News.

The Mental Math World Cup 2023, organized by Live Math Competitions and League, took place online using the innovative Mental Math Mobile App “Arena” and comprised two rigorous rounds. Round 1, the Elimination Round, held on July 22, 2023, witnessed an overwhelming participation of over 7,100 students from across India. Reyansh Kumar’s exceptional performance in this round propelled him to the Final Round, held on August 26, 2023, where he competed against 3,268 students, showcasing his outstanding mathematical prowess on a global stage.

Mr. Pankaj Sharma, President of The Lexicon Group of Institutes and Chairman & MD of Pune Mirror, Civic Mirror, and MultiFit, expressed his excitement, saying, “Reyansh Kumar’s remarkable performance in the Mental Math World Cup 2023 is a testament to the quality of education and the nurturing environment we provide at The Lexicon Schools. We are immensely proud of Reyansh and his outstanding achievement, which reflects our commitment to fostering excellence in education. Reyansh’s success will undoubtedly inspire his friends and the other generation of students to reach for the stars and excel in their academic pursuits.“

Reyansh’s achievement in the Mental Math World Cup 2023 is a source of immense pride for The Lexicon Schools and the entire Lexicon Group of Institutes. His dedication and commitment to mastering mental math are truly commendable and serve as an inspiration to his peers and educators.

Live Math Competitions and League is a unique App-based Mental Math Competitions Company that allows participants to showcase their Mental Math Skills on an International Level. Their main goal is to encourage participants to enhance their arithmetic skills in an engaging and interactive math environment and cultivate their interest in mental math.

“As Reyansh’s parents, we are overjoyed with this remarkable achievement. We are extremely thankful for the guidance and support he has received throughout his journey at The Lexicon Schools. It truly underscores the consistency and perseverance that education instills in young minds. We would like to extend our earnest gratitude to Rita Ma’am and Gurmeet Ma’am, whose exceptional teaching and nurturing have played a pivotal role in Reyansh’s success. Their unwavering commitment to imparting knowledge and their passion for education are truly admirable. Words cannot express our deep appreciation for all the effort they have put into teaching and shaping Reyansh,” stated Reyansh’s parents (Mr. Sudhir and Mrs. Sarika Kumar), as they felt proud of his extraordinary feat.

Reyansh Kumar’s achievements serve as a shining example of the excellence fostered at The Lexicon Schools and are a testament to the teachers’ commitment to academic excellence.

The post Reyansh Kumar from The Lexicon International School, Pune, Becomes World Topper in Mental Math World Cup 2023 appeared first on NRI News.

MUMBAI: Medix Global, a pioneering healthcare management company, today announced the launch of the Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2023. The challenge invites health tech start-ups and innovators to create cutting-edge digital health solutions to address healthcare issues linked to women’s health and mental health.

The challenge is aimed at identifying start-ups that are working on solutions aimed at enhancing accessibility, improving the quality of healthcare, and promoting the long-term viability of the healthcare ecosystem in India. The deadline to submit entries for the challenge is July 21^st.

India’s economy has been witnessing remarkable growth. However, the participation of women in the workforce has declined over the years highlighting the need for providing better care for women’s physical and mental health.

Mental health is also a significant concern that directly impacts productivity and economic growth. Indian employers bear a staggering cost of approximately USD 14 billion each year due to mental health issues. According to the most recent survey conducted by India’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), nearly 150 million Indians require mental health care services, yet only around 30 million individuals are actively seeking such care. Research also indicates that 40% of individuals who confront mental health challenges refrain from seeking assistance due to the stigma attached to it.

Medix’s Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2023 seeks to encourage entrepreneurs to present their ground-breaking ideas, products, or services that leverage digital platforms, mobile applications, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies. By fostering collaboration and ingenuity, the challenge aims to propel the development of innovative solutions that will revolutionize women’s and mental healthcare outcomes in India.

Speaking about the Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2023, Mrs. Sigal Atzmon, Chief Executive Officer, Medix Group said, “The national statistics and decreased workforce participation highlight the need state for addressing women and mental health in India. While significant steps have been taken in this area, it is our collective responsibility to work towards addressing these issues as well. Our Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2023 will create a platform for start-ups and innovators who are working to address these issues and help them scale their offerings.” 

To participate in the Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2023, start-ups are invited to submit their applications through the official competition website at www.medix-startups.com. The submission deadline for entries is July 21, 2023.

A panel of distinguished judges, consisting of healthcare experts, investors, technology leaders, and influential figures in women’s health, will evaluate the submissions based on innovation, feasibility, scalability, and potential impact. The judges include Mrs. Sigal Atzmon, Chief Executive Officer, Medix Group; Prof. David Zeltser, Global Medical Director, Medix Group; Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder & Chairperson at Aditya Birla Education Trust, Founder & Chairperson, mPowerMinds; Mr. Gordon Watson, Chief Executive Officer Asia & Africa, AXA Group; Mr. Sanjay Kedia, Country Head & Chief Executive Officer, Marsh India; Mr. Naveen Tehilyani, Chief Executive Officer, Tata AIA; Mr. Ajay Nanavati, Chairman, Quantum Advisors; Mr. Yaron Daniely, General Partner, aMoon Fund, Ms. Padmaja Ruparel, Co-founder, Indian Angel Network, Ms. Bala Deshpande, Founder Partner, MegaDelta Capital/Senior Managing Director-New Enterprise Associates (NEA INDIA), Ms. Seema Chaturvedi, Managing Partner & Founder, Achieving Women Equity Funds (AWE), Ms. Sudha Shivkumar, President FICCIflo, and Ms. Anat Bernstein Reich, Chief Executive Officer BDO  India-Israel Investment Banking.

The two-month challenge will conclude in August 2023. Medix Global will actively support the winners in providing access to potential funding, validating product-market fit, and mentorship, and driving the implementation and adoption of their solutions to address the pressing healthcare challenges in India.

The post Pune’s Start-Ups Invited to Apply for Digital Health Innovation Challenge to Address Women’s Health and Mental Health Issues appeared first on NRI News.

MUMBAI: Medix Global, a pioneering global healthcare management company, announces the launch of the Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2023 for start-ups and innovators creating cutting-edge digital health solutions. The challenge focuses on tech start-ups catering to healthcare issues linked to Women’s Health and Mental Health. These are essentially start-ups that aim to bridge the gap, enhance accessibility, improve the quality of healthcare, minimize unwarranted disparities in healthcare services, and promote the long-term viability of the healthcare system in India. The two-month challenge, scheduled to conclude in August 2023, invites entries starting June 28th, 2023. Medix Global calls upon visionary start-ups, passionate individuals, pioneering researchers, and forward-thinking organizations to participate and showcase their game-changing digital health solutions tailored specifically to address the unique healthcare needs of women in India. 

India’s economy has been witnessing remarkable growth; however, the participation of women in the workforce has seen a decline. In 2021–22, only 29.4% of women in the working age group were part of India’s labor force, a much lower figure compared to the early 2000s. To sustain and even accelerate economic growth, it is imperative to increase the participation of women in the workforce. This necessitates providing better care for women’s physical and mental health, enabling them to overcome barriers and contribute to the economy. According to national statistics, in the last two years, over 2 lakh women in the country have lost their lives due to cervical cancer and breast cancer alone. In terms of breast cancer mortality, for example, 37.2 percent of women died from this disease in India in 2020. The mortality rate in India was higher than the Asian rate of 34 percent and much higher than the global average of 30 percent. Mental health is a significant concern that directly impacts productivity and economic growth. Indian employers bear a staggering cost of approximately USD 14 billion each year due to mental health issues. This underscores the urgent need to prioritize mental health support and create accessible solutions that can alleviate the burden on individuals and employers alike.

Speaking about the Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2023, Mrs. Sigal Atzmon, Chief Executive Officer, Medix Group, says, “The national statistics and decreased workforce participation showcase an alarming picture with respect to Women and Mental health in India. This is a wake-up call for each of us to take the initiative. While significant strides have been made by the government of India in this area, it becomes our collective responsibility to work towards mitigating these issues as well. The Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2023 is one step in that direction. Through this competition, we create a platform where initiative, proactivity, innovation, and technological development can come together to make a difference in society.” 

According to the most recent survey conducted by India’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), nearly 150 million Indians require mental health care services, yet only around 30 million individuals are actively seeking such care. According to another survey, an overwhelming 80% of the Indian workforce has disclosed experiencing mental health difficulties. Research indicates that 40% of individuals who confront mental health challenges refrain from seeking assistance due to the stigma attached to it.

These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for innovative digital health solutions that can improve access to quality healthcare services for women across the country.

Thus, Medix’s Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2023 seeks to encourage entrepreneurs to present their ground-breaking ideas, products, or services that leverage digital platforms, mobile applications, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies. By fostering collaboration and ingenuity, the challenge aims to propel the development of innovative solutions that will revolutionize women’s and mental healthcare outcomes in India.

To participate in the Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2023, start-ups are invited to submit their applications through the official competition website at www.medix-startups.com. The submission deadline for entries is July 21, 2023, giving start-ups ample time to refine and showcase their innovative solutions.

A panel of distinguished judges, consisting of healthcare experts, investors, technology leaders, and influential figures in women’s health, will evaluate the submissions based on innovation, feasibility, scalability, and potential impact. These judges include Mrs. Sigal Atzmon, Chief Executive Officer, Medix Group; Prof. David Zeltser, Global Medical Director, Medix Group; Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder & Chairperson at Aditya Birla Education Trust, Founder & Chairperson, mPowerMinds; Mr. Gordon Watson, Chief Executive Officer Asia & Africa, AXA Group; Mr. Sanjay Kedia, Country Head & Chief Executive Officer, Marsh India; Mr. Naveen Tehilyani, Chief Executive Officer, Tata AIA; Mr. Ajay Nanavati, Chairman, Quantum Advisors; Mr. Yaron Daniely, General Partner, aMoon Fund, Ms. Padmaja Ruparel, Co-founder, Indian Angel Network, Ms. Bala Deshpande, Founder Partner, MegaDelta Capital/Senior Managing Director-New Enterprise Associates (NEA INDIA), Ms. Seema Chaturvedi, Managing Partner & Founder, Achieving Women Equity Funds (AWE), Ms. Sudha Shivkumar, President FICCIflo, and Ms. Anat Bernstein Reich, Chief Executive Officer BDO  India-Israel Investment Banking.

Medix Global will actively support the winners in providing access to potential funding, validating product-market fit, mentorship, and driving the implementation and adoption of their solutions to address the pressing healthcare challenges in India.

The post Calling All Innovators: Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2023 for Start-ups appeared first on NRI News.

Founded by Dr. Neerja Birla Mpower, an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust is a revolutionary social enterprise that provides holistic mental health care services in India.

Mpower a leader in the mental health space brings together a strong force of over 200 experienced mental health professionals associated with Mpower, offering world-class, scientifically proven intervention techniques impacting more than 121 million lives positively through its mental health care services in India

Medix brings along longstanding experience in global health management, with a strong focus on India, employing over 300 in-house doctors and a quality accredited network of world-leading Specialists in every medical field, servicing over 8 million customers worldwide.

• The partnership taps Mpower’s core value ‘to create a stigma-free and emotionally healthy society, and Medix’s commitment “to support people through life’s physical and emotional journeys.”
• The partnership will work towards reducing the stigma around depression, stress, anxiety, and mood disorders while reframing mental health to be more approachable and actionable, especially for youth from 16-35 of age.
•  As part of this strategic partnership, Medix India will bundle Mpower’s mental health services into its various care programs, offering its customers and partners which include leading insurers, corporate employers, and other stakeholders, access to Mpower clinics and virtual mental health services.
• In addition, new tech and digital solutions will be embedded in the mental support services, enhancing the service provision and improving accessibility.
• The partnership is led by two strong and committed female leaders, who are proud to apply their distinct perspectives and unique approaches to addressing India’s Mental Health imperatives.

MUMBAI: Globally, the world is witnessing an ongoing rise in mental health issues, accelerated by the global pandemic.  Medix, a global health management company, delivering impactful responses to health needs servicing millions of customers, with a team of over 300 in-house physicians, and a global quality accredited network of over 4,500 world-leading specialists, has entered into a strategic partnership with Mpower – an Initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust and leader in the mental health space in India that brings together a strong force of over 600 experienced mental health professionals, offering world-class, scientifically proven intervention techniques impacting more than 121 million lives positively. As part of the collaboration, Mpower and Medix will offer integrated and advanced tech solutions for making mental health services more accessible in India.

Together, Mpower and Medix will change the mental health dialogue in India while promoting new ways of getting help and support. The partnership brings a new, holistic approach to mental and emotional counseling and mentorship, specifically designed to reach the youth of the country.

As part of this strategic partnership, Medix India will bundle Mpower’s mental health services into its various care programs, offering its customers and partners which include leading insurers, corporate employers, and other stakeholders, access to Mpower clinics and virtual mental health services.

Through the partnership Mpower as a knowledge and service partner will bring in its expertise in the mental health space offering various proven mental health solutions and therapies to patients seeking mental health support, whereas Medix will bring forth its global expertise in quality assurance, goal-setting strategies, clinical pathways, digital mental and physical assessments and innovative tools for outcomes measurement and analytics etc, thus reshaping how mental care is perceived and accessed so far in India

Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Neerja Birla, Founder, and Chairperson of Mpower said, “Mpower has always been a pioneer in the mental health space in India and this partnership is yet again a step forward to consolidate our position as a change-maker in the space. Mental health problems are common in people with medical conditions, because of a complex interplay between psychological, physical, and social factors thus Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. The collaboration provides holistic solutions to patients who can now opt for physical and mental health services on one platform” We hope such collaborations mark a new chapter in holistic healthcare management in India and provide equal importance to mental and physical health thus encouraging further research, engagement, accessibility and wipe of the stigma associated to mental health”.

“We are proud to partner with Mpower, as we see strong alignment between the two brands, who greatly impact people’s lives,” said Ms. Sigal Atzmon, President, and CEO of Medix, “Mental health is a very broad group of conditions which have a serious impact on the way they think, feel and act. We are seeing the younger generation is faced with increased pressures driven by various factors and often, they lack the tools to cope with these challenges in a positive way.  We aim to dissociate the stigma with mental health and encourage conversations and discussions while providing tangible and actionable tools to overcome challenges.”

Mental health is one of the most pressing issues in India today, particularly among young people. According to WHO’s World Mental Health Report 2022, people with severe mental health conditions die 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population, primarily from preventable physical diseases. According to Deloitte’s 2022 survey titled, “Mental health and well-being in the workplace,” 80 percent of the Indian workforce has reported mental health issues in the previous year. Despite these alarming statistics, societal stigma prevents approximately 39% of affected respondents from seeking treatment for their symptoms.

Through this partnership, Mpower & Medix are committed to driving better accessibility for mental health services in India beginning in 2023!

The post Medix Global And Mpower Partner To Further Reduce The Stigma Around Mental Health In India appeared first on NRI News.