AVAHAN

mail: [email protected]

AVAHAN: The Creative Heartbeat of IPH

Audio Visual Aids for Health and Nurturance

About AVAHAN:

• AVAHAN is the creative arm of the Institute for Psychological Health (IPH). Functioning as a dedicated creative hub, we are committed to the mission of "Mental Health for All." By leveraging the power of digital storytelling, we bridge the gap between rigorous psychological science and the general public, transforming complex concepts into relatable, inspiring, and educational conten

Our Journey & Vision

• Established in 2007, AVAHAN began as a documentation unit for IPH. It has since evolved into a full-fledged, one-of-its-kind in-house production house in India. We handle the entire creative lifecycle—from concept development and scripting to shooting and post-production—ensuring every piece of content is both artistically engaging and psychologically sound.
• Reach: 439,000+ Subscribers | 3,100+ Videos
• Mission: To promote awareness, dismantle social stigma, and foster emotional well-being through high-quality media.

Upcoming Event: Bhaav Jaagar Cycle Yatra

• A solo cycling expedition across all 36 districts of Maharashtra to carry the message of "Mental Health for All" to every corner of the state. This ride celebrates 36 years of IPH's dedicated service and impact in the field of mental health. Led by Sachin Gaokar, the primary focus is to evaluate the impact of AVAHAN and study how audiovisual media effectively contributes to mental health awareness at the grassroots.

What We Do: Our Impact Portfolio

1.Digital Outreach: The AVAHAN YouTube Channel

As one of India's leading Marathi-language mental health platforms, our channel (guided by Dr. Anand Nadkarni) serves as a digital sanctuary for learning:

• Expert Insights: Deep dives into depression, anxiety, addiction, and bipolar disorder.
• Life Skills & Self-Help: Practical series on parenting, anger management, and "Mental Health Tips."
• Inspiring Interviews: Conversations on resilience with personalities like Sonam Wangchuck and Nagraj Manjule.
• Golden Heritage: Applying life lessons from historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Shivaji Maharaj, and Subhash Chandra Bose to modern psycho-social challenges.

2.Community Projects & Sensitization

We believe mental health belongs in the community, not just the clinic. Our projects use jargon-free content to reach the masses

• Prakashdoot: De-addiction software (with Sangath).
• Karta Shetari: Psycho-educational content for the farming community (with Sahyadri Farms).
• Bharat Parikrama: A 13,000 km solo cycling expedition by Sachin Gaonkar across 25 states to mark IPH's Silver Jubilee.
• Student Internships: Support for Art and Psychology students, particularly those from economically weaker sections via VSM.
• Dwij Puraskar: Documentation of the "Life Reborn" awards for those recovering from serious mental illness.

3.Creative Arts & Film

We integrate storytelling with diverse mediums to spark social dialogue:

• Documentaries: Roj Nava Diwas (Muktangan's 25 years), Faith Beyond Fear (Dr. Bharat Watwani), and Eklavya (Renutai Gavaskar).
• Short Films: Maitra (Short film on Maitra Helpline). Saavlya, Paywaat, and Ghalmel (Schizophrenia awareness); Reconnect (Teen mobile sensitization)
• Theater: The Lost Supper. Play written by Dr Anand Nadkarni.
• Manatarang Film Festival: A unique community platform for Mental Health awareness through cinema started by AVAHAN in 2010.
• Audio Books: Produced for Bookganga and Storytel, narrated by Dr. Anand Nadkarni.
• Workshops: Art Appreciation, Set Designing, and Film Script Writing/Direction by filmmaker Sandeep Sawant.

4.Outreach & Live Events

• Mindfe(a)st
• Vedant Vichar ani Vyaktimatva Vikas
• Full Tension te Cool Tension
• Sobatine Sukhasukhi
• Kana-Matra Kaanmantra counselling cha
• Zopechya Golya, Samjuti Bholya

Technical & Production Capabilities

• Full In-House Facility: A complete studio equipped for professional shooting, editing, and post-production.
• Multilingual Reach: While primarily Marathi, we produce content in Hindi and English for national accessibility.
• Live Engagement: Regular "Mental Health Unplugged" sessions for real-time Q&A with psychological experts.

Meet the Leadership Team

• Mentor: Dr. Anand Nadkarni:
  Renowned Mental Health Activist and Psychiatrist. The visionary founder of IPH who guides AVAHAN's content, bridging clinical psychiatry with community outreach through his expert insights, literature, and "Golden Heritage" series.
• Creative Head: Sachin Gaonkar
  Visionary behind AVAHAN's visual storytelling and community expeditions. A creative Sculptor who directs AVAHAN's production ecosystem and pioneered the 13,000 km "Bharat Parikrama" cycling expedition to take mental health awareness directly to the Indian masses.
• Research Head: Manjiri Gokhale:
  Clinical Psychologist with 25 years of experience. She bridges clinical depth with creative content design for programs like BhaavJaagar.
• Executive Team:
  Mayuresh Gurav (Video Editor & Designer): A multidisciplinary visual artist specializing in social and community-focused digital formats.
• Rushi Panchal (Art & Technical Assistant):
  A professional Interior Designer who brings 7 years of expertise in set design, lighting, and camera support to the AVAHAN team