Mental health cos bet on in-person therapy

Startups double down on brick-and-mortar centres as demand climbs

- Sowmya Ramasubramanian

With more and more Indians, notably the youth, willing to seek counselling, mental health and wellness startups operating in the country are looking to set up brick-and-mortar centres to keep people from dropping out of therapy.

Only a few repeat online-only therapy sessions as the outcomes are not tangible, said Dipanjan Basu, co-founder and partner at consumer-focused venture capital firm Fireside Ventures. "Like any other healthcare service, an in-person experience is crucial here."

Mental health support in India requires high-need clinical care with technology and physical infrastructure going hand in hand, said Amit Malik, founder and chief executive of Amaha Health. "We're available across eight locations right now, and are gearing up to open our first mental health hospital in Bengaluru in May."