Mpowering Minds 2025: A Mental Health Summit Spearheading Youth Mental Health in India

Aditya Birla Education Trust’s mental health initiative, Mpower, is set to host Mpowering Minds 2025:Youth Mental Health—a pioneering mental health summit dedicated to fostering acceptance, action, and advocacy to revolutionize youth mental health in India. Mark your calendars for February 26, 2025, as we come together to ignite change, challenge stigmas, and equip individuals with the tools to prioritise mental well-being.

Why This Mental Health Summit Matters

With an estimated 420 million young people, India’s youth are the driving force behind the country’s meteoric rise to becoming the world’s third-largest economy by 2030. However, mental health plays a crucial role in ensuring that this growth is sustainable. As young minds navigate academic pressures, social challenges, family expectations, and the evolving digital landscape, the need for robust mental health strategies has never been greater. This year at Mpowering Minds 2025:Youth Mental Health Summit strives to serve as a platform for this transformation.

A Transformative Youth Mental Health Summit

This year, Mpowering Minds 2025 : Youth Mental Health summit brings together globally renowned experts, changemakers, and thought leaders to create an inclusive platform for conversation, advocacy, and actionable solutions. The summit is designed to:

• Break stigmas and empower a new generation of mental health advocates.
• Provide actionable strategies to help individuals and organizations prioritise mental well-being.
• Foster collaboration among experts, stakeholders, and youth to drive meaningful change.

What to Expect from Mpowering Minds 2025

With 15 globally renowned speakers, 10 dynamic themes, and over 300 distinguished changemakers in attendance, Mpowering Minds 2025 is set to be a landmark event in India’s mental health landscape with:

• Exclusive Research Report Releases offering groundbreaking insights.
• Engaging discussions with the world’s top mental health leaders and advocates on topics shaping the future of youth mental well-being.
• Felicitations for 10 changemakers across 7 categories for their exceptional contributions to mental health advocacy.

Meet Our Esteemed Mpowering Minds 2025 Speakers

We are honored to present an extraordinary line-up of thought leaders, changemakers, and experts at this year’s Mpowering Minds 2025 : Youth Mental Health summit. These distinguished speakers are at the forefront of mental health, education, inclusion, and advocacy, shaping the future through their ground-breaking work.

Neerja Birla – A Powerhouse of Mental Health & Education

Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson, of Mpowerminds, Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET)
Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET), is a visionary leader in mental health, education, and social impact. Through Mpower, she has transformed India’s approach to mental health, reaching over 120 million people. Her ground-breaking initiatives include inclusive schools, menstrual hygiene awareness, and the integration of mental well-being into education. Honoured with numerous awards, including the G20 Empower India ‘Woman Achiever Award 2023,’ she continues to shape policies and drive systemic change globally.

Dr. Ajit Bhide – A Stalwart in Psychiatry

Dr.Ajit Bhide, Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist; Past President, Indian Psychiatric Society (2018-19)
Dr. Ajit V. Bhide, an esteemed Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist and former President of the Indian Psychiatric Society (2018-19), brings over four decades of expertise in mental health. An alumnus of NIMHANS, he has led psychiatric initiatives at St. Martha’s Hospital and conducted impactful workshops across the country. A champion for LGBTQ+ rights, he played a pivotal role in decriminalizing homosexuality in India. Beyond psychiatry, he is an acclaimed dramatist and avid reader, enriching lives with his multifaceted talents.

Dr. Blaise Aguirre – Pioneering Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Dr. Blaise Aguirre MD, Founding Medical Director, 3East DBT Continuum, McLean Hospital; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Shekhar Seshadri – Champion for Child Mental Health

Dr. Shekhar Seshadri, Former Senior Professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NIMHANS; Recipient of the Keshav Desiraju Memorial Award for Outstanding Public Service in Mental Health (2024) and the Dr. Achar Oration Award by IPS (2012).
Dr. Shekhar Seshadri, Former Senior Professor at NIMHANS, has dedicated over 35 years to advancing child and adolescent psychiatry. His expertise spans childhood trauma, gender and sexuality issues, and psychosocial interventions rooted in child rights. An artist and musician, he integrates creative methodologies like theatre into therapy. He has played a crucial role in shaping mental health policies, contributing to the drafting of the POCSO Act (2012) and debates on the Juvenile Justice Act (2015). His initiatives, including the NIMHANS Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Project, have expanded into SAMVAD, a program supported by India’s Ministry of Women & Child Development.

Ms. Anju Kish – Pioneering Sex Education & Safety

Ms. Anju Kish, Founder & CEO, UnTaboo – a safety and sex education company; TEDx Speaker; Author.
Ms. Anju Kish, Founder & CEO of UnTaboo, is a trailblazer in sex education and child safety. A TEDx speaker, award-winning author, and POCSO trainer, she is revolutionizing conversations around puberty and sexual health. Her bestselling book, How I Got My Belly Button, simplifies complex topics for young minds. She has also introduced India’s first gamified sex education platform and the musical play Growing Up, empowering parents and children nationwide.

Dr. Claire Kelly – Transforming Mental Health First Aid

Dr. Claire Kelly, Senior Advisor, Research Translation and Impact at Mental Health First Aid International, Primary author, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Honorary Research Fellow – University of Melbourne.
Dr. Claire Kelly, Senior Advisor for Research Translation and Impact at Mental Health First Aid International, has been instrumental in advancing mental health education. A primary author of Youth Mental Health First Aid, she has dedicated her career to evidence-based curriculum development, training, and advocacy. With both academic expertise and lived experience of depression and anxiety, she ensures real-world perspectives and research-backed strategies inform mental health initiatives.

Dr. Shyam Bishen – Shaping Global Healthcare Policies

Head, Centre for Health & Healthcare; Member, Executive Committee, World Economic Forum.
Dr. Shyam Bishen, Head of the Centre for Health & Healthcare and a member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum, brings over 25 years of experience in global health leadership. Previously a Regional Director at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he has spearheaded initiatives in vaccine development, diagnostics, and healthcare innovation. At WEF, he collaborates with world leaders to build resilient and equitable healthcare systems. His expertise in public-private partnerships continues to drive sustainable global health solutions.

T Mark Fernandes – Championing Mental Health & DEI

T Mark Fernandes, Executive VP, HR & Head of Organizational Capability & Development, DE&I Specialist, Kotak Life; Adjunct Professor at TISS, specializing in Organizational Development, Organizational Behavior, HPI, and MHC.
As Executive VP at Kotak Life and an adjunct professor at TISS, T Mark Fernandes is dedicated to organizational development and mental health advocacy. His expertise in DEI and resilience-building has transformed corporate culture, integrating well-being into business strategies. A Wipro OD Fellow, psychotherapist, and journalist, he is recognized among India’s Top Mental Health Leaders of 2024 for his commitment to fostering sustainable change.

Dr. Sanjay R. Kumawat – Shaping Mental Health Policies

Dr. Sanjay R. Kumawat, Director, Insight Mind Care Center, Thane; Former Deputy Director, Mental Health, Government of Maharashtra Member, Anti-Narcotic Authority, Government of Maharashtra.

Dr. Sanjay R. Kumawat, Director of Insight Mind Care Center, has played a crucial role in shaping mental health policies in Maharashtra. Formerly Deputy Director of Mental Health for the state and a member of the Anti-Narcotic Authority, his leadership has improved mental health services across hospitals and rural health units. His contributions continue to impact communities at large.

Dr. Indu Shahani – A Visionary in Education & Leadershipr

Dr. Indu Shahani, President & Chancellor, ATLAS SkillTech University; Sheriff of Mumbai (2008-09); Principal, HR College of Commerce & Economics (2000-16).
Dr. Indu Shahani, President & Chancellor of ATLAS SkillTech University, is an esteemed academician with over four decades of experience. As the first Indian Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors of the International Baccalaureate, she has championed academia-industry collaboration. Her leadership extends to corporate governance, serving on the boards of HSBC Asset Management, Diageo, and the Advertising Standards Council of India. A recipient of numerous accolades, she is recognized among Asia’s 100 Powerful & Rising Women Leaders in 2023 for her contributions to education and social impact.

Dr. Wolfgang Seidl – A Global Leader in Workplace Mental Health

Dr. Wolfgang Seidl, Partner & Global Mental Health Consulting Leader, Mercer Marsh Benefits
Dr. Wolfgang Seidl, Partner & Global Mental Health Consulting Leader at Mercer Marsh Benefits, is an internationally recognized expert in workplace well-being. With a background in medicine, psychiatry, and psychotherapy, he has pioneered quality enhancement measures in workplace health, emphasizing the return on investment in employee well-being. As a trainer and professional speaker, he continues to shape corporate mental health strategies worldwide.

Dr. Ananth Prabhu G – Cyber Security & Digital Forensics Expert

Mr. Ananth Prabhu, Cybersecurity Expert; Professor of Computer Engineering, Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management; Principal Investigator, Centre of Excellence in Digital Forensics and Intelligence.
A renowned cyber security expert, Dr. Ananth Prabhu G is at the forefront of digital safety and forensic investigations. As a professor and principal investigator at Sahyadri College, he has led over 3000 training sessions for legal and security professionals. An accomplished author, his works, including Cyber Safe Girl V6.1, provide crucial insights into cyber security awareness and digital ethics.

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil – A Royal Advocate for Inclusion

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, Crown Prince of Rajpipla; MD and Co-founder, Search Ends Inclusion Impact; Chairperson and Co-founder, Lakshya Trust.
Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, the world’s first openly gay royal, is a global advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion. As Co-Founder of Search Ends Inclusion Impact and Chairperson of Lakshya Trust, he has pioneered initiatives in workplace equity, gender empowerment, and veteran reintegration. His advocacy extends to mental health, where he works to destigmatize issues through workshops and training programs. Recognized internationally, his powerful message has reached millions through platforms like Oprah, BBC, and TED Talks.

Mr. Nathan Spiteri – A Voice for Survivors

Mr. Nathan Spiteri, Film Maker, Actor, Writer, Sexual Abuse Survivor, Activist, and Advocate.
Nathan Spiteri is a filmmaker, actor, and survivor-turned-activist who uses storytelling to raise awareness about sexual abuse and trauma. With a diverse acting career spanning film, TV, and theater, he channels his personal experiences into advocacy, inspiring resilience and healing through art.

Join us as these inspiring leaders share their expertise and insights, paving the way for a more inclusive and mentally resilient society. Stay tuned for more updates on our youth mental health summit!

Let’s Mpower minds, together

Register now for Mpowering Minds 2025: Youth Mental Health Summit! Secure your spot today by visiting the Register Now page on our website and completing the online form.

This free event is designed to provide valuable insights and actionable strategies for industry professionals working in youth mental health. While sessions are tailored for professionals, young participants with an interest in mental health are also welcome to attend.

The summit is fully virtual, ensuring accessibility for all. Upon registration, you will receive a live streaming link to join the sessions.

Mpowering Minds 2025 : Youth Mental Health summit is more than just a summit—it’s a movement towards a future where mental health is a priority for all. Join us in shaping a world that supports and nurtures the well-being of every young person.

Save the date: February 26, 2025 and join us to be a part of the change.