The Curious Case of… Navigating Mental Health Care in India ft. Dr. Amit Malik

The Curious Case of… Navigating Mental Health Care in India ft. Dr. Amit Malik

In this episode of The Curious Case of…, Ira sits down with Dr. Amit Malik to talk about the mental health system — what’s missing, what’s delayed, and what still needs to change. But the conversation doesn’t stop there. Because if you’re someone struggling right now, knowing the system isn’t perfect doesn’t tell you what to do today. It doesn’t make it easier to take the first step. So they ask a more immediate question: given the system we have, how do you actually find help — and find it early? They explore what it means to navigate care in a practical way — how to recognise early signs, what to look for in the help you’re receiving, and when it might be time to keep searching. The conversation also reflects on the realities of the system in India today, and where it still needs to evolve. Because even if the system takes time to change, your need for support is here, now. Stay curious.   Resources: Mental Health and Additional Resources Directory [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-_g1lLNBPJqqI6izUc-7lGs10RXtVCnOWlSXpjmWPNQ/edit?gid=0#gid=0] What is Therapy? [https://tinyurl.com/TCCOfilesRadhikaBapat] What is a Safe Space? [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOnX70HCD7y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==]  CREDITS: Host: Ira Khan [https://www.instagram.com/khan.ira/]    Agatsu Foundation Team  Art Design: Ayushi Lilani Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha [https://www.instagram.com/sahabime/?hl=en]  Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)   This is a Maed in India [https://www.maedinindia.in/] production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas [https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en] Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome [http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome] Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha [https://www.instagram.com/short___round/]  Visual Designer: Alika Gupta [https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix/] Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar [https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_saw/]  Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni [https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en] Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar [https://www.instagram.com/nihar_temkar?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil [https://www.instagram.com/thesocialnatwork/] Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate [https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate]

The Curious Case of… It’s Ok to be Ok ft. Nikhil Taneja and Bakul Dua

Ira talks to Nikhil and Bakul about the growing use of mental health terms — how they’ve become more accessible, and at times, misused. They explore when labels can help us make sense of our experiences, and when they might limit us or shift responsibility.   It’s a conversation about finding balance — and learning how to engage with these terms more thoughtfully. It’s a conversation about language, meaning, and the space between understanding and oversimplifying.   Because the way we use words shapes the way we see ourselves — and that’s worth approaching with curiosity. CREDITS: Host: Ira Khan [https://www.instagram.com/khan.ira/]    Agatsu Foundation Team  Art Design: Ayushi Lilani Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha [https://www.instagram.com/sahabime/?hl=en]  Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)   This is a Maed in India [https://www.maedinindia.in/] production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas [https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en] Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome [http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome] Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha [https://www.instagram.com/short___round/]  Visual Designer: Alika Gupta [https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix/] Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar [https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_saw/]  Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni [https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en] Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar [https://www.instagram.com/nihar_temkar?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil [https://www.instagram.com/thesocialnatwork/]   Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate [https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate]

The Curious Case of… But I’m Fine

Ira talks to the guest about their journey with mental health, shaped by growing up in an environment where abuse was normalised. Space is held for their experiences with suicidality and self-worth, which continue to influence who they are today. They discuss what healing, rebuilding relationships and moving forward has looked like.   It’s a conversation about survival, understanding, and living with what we’ve been through.   Even through trauma, curiosity can keep you going. CREDITS: Host: Ira Khan [https://www.instagram.com/khan.ira/]    Agatsu Foundation Team  Art Design: Ayushi Lilani Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha [https://www.instagram.com/sahabime/?hl=en]  Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)   This is a Maed in India [https://www.maedinindia.in/] production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas [https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en] Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome [http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome] Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha [https://www.instagram.com/short___round/]  Visual Designer: Alika Gupta [https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix/] Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar [https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_saw/]  Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni [https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en] Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar [https://www.instagram.com/nihar_temkar?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil [https://www.instagram.com/thesocialnatwork/]   Recorded at Agatsu Foundation Community Centre, Mumbai Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate [https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate]

The Curious Case of… No Risk vs Low Risk ft. Abhijit Nadkarni

Ira talks to Dr. Abhijit Nadkarni about understanding addiction — how to tell the difference between deeply enjoying something and being unable to step away from it, and what that distinction really means.   They explore the biology of addiction, while also asking where our scope for change lies — often in the psycho-social spaces of support, structure, and daily choices. The conversation turns to what help actually looks like in practice, and how to operationalise advice or treatment instead of just talking about it.   They reflect on the often misunderstood point: quitting is a single decision but staying away is often an everyday choice.   It’s a conversation about agency with accountability and replacing shame with compassion. Because even when the going gets really hard, curiosity helps!   Chapters: 00:00 The Hidden Risks of Casual Drinking 00:47 What Is Addiction? 01:35 Enjoyment vs Compulsion: Understanding Addiction 06:46 Substance vs Behavioral Addictions 10:49 Alcohol and Its Health Risks 12:39 The Biology of Addiction: Dopamine & the Brain 17:47 Genetics vs Environment in Addiction 21:13 Why People Start Drinking 28:27 The Spectrum of Alcohol Problems 33:38 How to Recognize Risky Drinking 42:52 Why Early Drinking Increases Addiction Risk 55:23 Treatment, Recovery, and Staying Sober   CREDITS: Host: Ira Khan [https://www.instagram.com/khan.ira/]    Agatsu Foundation Team  Art Design: Ayushi Lilani Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha [https://www.instagram.com/sahabime/?hl=en]  Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)   This is a Maed in India [https://www.maedinindia.in/] production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas [https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en] Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome [http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome] Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha [https://www.instagram.com/short___round/]  Visual Designer: Alika Gupta [https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix/] Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar [https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_saw/]  Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni [https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en] Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar [https://www.instagram.com/nihar_temkar?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil [https://www.instagram.com/thesocialnatwork/]   Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate [https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate]

The Curious Case of… Putting The Kids First

Ira talks to her guest about navigating divorce while raising young children — making the decision to separate, holding personal pain, and still creating stability for the kids. They reflect on the added responsibility of parenting, and the effort it takes to set aside feelings about a partner so children can continue to see their father simply as their father, while constantly trying to understand what they need and how best to show up for them. It’s a conversation about care, resilience, and finding steadiness in the midst of change. Because even life’s hardest transitions call for curiosity.   For more information, click here. [https://www.canva.com/design/DAHBv2U9HVo/xB6OL0V52tYONHahG6yZ3Q/view?utm_content=DAHBv2U9HVo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h362d38e9c3]   CREDITS: Host: Ira Khan [https://www.instagram.com/khan.ira/]    Agatsu Foundation Team  Art Design: Ayushi Lilani Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha [https://www.instagram.com/sahabime/?hl=en]  Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)   This is a Maed in India [https://www.maedinindia.in/] production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas [https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en] Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome [http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome] Visual Designer: Alika Gupta [https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix/] Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar [https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_saw/]  Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni [https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en] Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar [https://www.instagram.com/nihar_temkar?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil [https://www.instagram.com/thesocialnatwork/] Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate [https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate]