New Delhi, March 13 A private hospital chain here has partnered with the advocacy platform 'Sitar for Mental Health', led by neo-classical musician and sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, to introduce a music-based mental health initiative for patients.
According to an official statement by Fortis Healthcare, 'Adayu', their in-patient mental health facility, has collaborated with Sharma's platform to promote greater awareness and dialogue around mental health.
The initiative aims to combine clinical care with the therapeutic potential of music. As part of the collaboration, 'Adayu' will integrate music composed by Sharma at its centre and create a dedicated room where patients can experience its therapeutic benefits.
Starting in April, the partnership will also launch a nationwide school outreach programme aimed at helping young people understand emotional balance, resilience, and the role of creativity in preventive mental health.
Dr Samir Parikh, chairperson of the mental health programme at Fortis Healthcare and 'Adayu', said that mental health continues to face stigma despite growing awareness, and such collaborations can help reach wider communities and encourage people to seek help.
The artist said that music can serve as a powerful medium for healing and connection.
The partnership aims to create spaces where people can pause, reflect, and feel supported while encouraging open conversations around emotional well-being, he said.
The hospital claimed that the collaboration is among the first initiatives in India incorporating music as a complementary approach within a clinical mental healthcare setting.