Fortis Healthcare Launches Mental Health Vertical with AI-Powered Solutions

Adayu will provide digital tele-mental health and residential in-patient mental health services including acute psychiatry, de-addiction, and rehabilitation.

Fortis Healthcare has unveiled a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing the pressing issue of mental health in India.

On Wednesday, the hospital introduced 'Adayu Mindfulness,' a dedicated vertical for comprehensive mental healthcare in a press conference.

The vertical has been launched in exclusive partnership with United We Care and Adayu - an AI-powered holistic mental health app.

According to the hospital’s statement, Fortis aims to enhance mental well-being and accessibility of care for individuals by leveraging artificial intelligence supported by Adayu’s trained team of mental health experts.

The healthcare provider said it has launched the Adayu Mindfulness program as a part of the Fortis National Mental Health program.

Adayu will provide digital tele-mental health and residential in-patient mental health services including acute psychiatry, de-addiction, and rehabilitation, the hospital team said during the press conference.

Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD & CEO, Fortis Healthcare, underscored the significance of this move, stating, "Fortis Healthcare is committed to integrating mental health into mainstream healthcare, a vision we have been cultivating for over a decade."

The collaboration aims to transform the accessibility of mental health services, offering comprehensive care at the touch of a button.

Raghuvanshi highlighting the broader implications said, "This is more than an advancement in healthcare technology; it is a movement towards destigmatizing mental health issues and enhancing the availability of care for those in need across India."

Features of Adayu Mindfulness

As per the statement, Adayu Mindfulness will offer a range of services, including an AI-powered self-assessment tool that provides insights into individuals' mental health status through personalized assessments administered by a virtual wellness coach named Stella.

The platform also connects users with a network of trained mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, psycho-oncologists, sports therapists, yoga experts, art-based therapy providers, and physiotherapists, thereby reducing wait times and geographical barriers.

Dr Samir Parikh, chairman, Fortis National Mental Health Program, emphasized the urgency of addressing mental health issues in India, where approximately 1 in every 8 people is estimated to be suffering from a mental health disorder.

"Mental wellness solutions are pertinent, especially in a society like India where mental health is deeply stigmatized leading to lack of awareness,” Parikh noted.

According to him, the launch of Adayu marks a new chapter in our journey as we merge innovation and AI with clinical excellence and will be offering the highest level of care, striving towards our endeavor to foster awareness and improve access.

The initiative will also provide self-care tools.

Further, United We Care powered by Adayu provides a range of resources from videos to audio, exercises, and journals. Fortis will launch a dedicated Fortis 24/7 helpline number.

Ritu Mehrotra, CEO & founder, United We Care, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to partner with Adayu, a leader in mental healthcare delivery, to bring our AI-powered solutions to a wider audience."

Mental Health Initiatives in India

This integration of advanced technology with established mental health expertise signifies a significant step towards improving mental health outcomes and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help.

Post the COVID-19 Pandemic, there is a growing recognition of the importance of mental health in overall well-being and underscores the potential of technology to revolutionize mental healthcare delivery.

In 2022, the Government of India launched Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) in collaboration with Bengaluru-based NIMHANS.

The initiative provides free tele-mental health services all over the country round the clock, particularly catering to people in remote or under-served areas. In 2023, the initiative clocked a 2 Lakh consultation milestone.

The program includes a network of 23 tele-mental health centers of excellence, with NIMHANS being the nodal center and the International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIITB) providing technology support.

The mental health budget for India's 2024-2025 financial year is about 1% of the total health budget, which is about 2% of the total budget.