Shipra Dawar: Championing Mental Wellness with ePsyClinic

Empowering Mental Wellbeing

In a nation where over 7 million individuals are affected by depression, and 36 percent are susceptible to mental health ailments at some point in their lives, Shipra Dawar emerges as a beacon of hope. Her brainchild, ePsyClinic, is propelling the dialogue surrounding mental wellness, breaking down barriers and combating the stigmas that shroud mental health issues.

From Struggle to Inspiration:

Shipra Dawar’s journey into the realm of mental wellness was deeply personal. While pursuing higher education in Australia, she grappled with the isolating tendrils of depression, triggered by the challenges of adapting to a new environment far from home. Amidst her struggles, a perceptive professor recommended therapy, a suggestion that initially irked Shipra, echoing the common denial often associated with mental health issues. Her own journey paved the path for ePsyClinic, a platform dedicated to dispelling ignorance and fostering understanding.

The Path to Empowerment:

Hailing from Chandigarh, Shipra inherited her father’s passion for community service, which eventually led her to establish ePsyClinic in 2015. Her mission: to make healthcare services accessible to all, dismantling the notion that wellness is a luxury reserved for a privileged few. Shipra’s commitment to the cause is evident in the composition of her workforce, with 80 percent of ePsyClinic’s employees being women.

A Vision Blossoms:

A graduate of the Australian National University, Shipra’s determination and passion for welfare fuelled the establishment of ePsyClinic. Bootstrapping the venture with support from friends and family, she initiated the platform by setting up virtual clinics in malls and corporate offices in Delhi and Gurgaon. These clinics aimed to normalize conversations around mental health and mitigate the stigma associated with it.

Revolutionizing Mental Wellness:

ePsyClinic’s impact is tangible, evident in its IWill therapy app, launched in June 2017. With over 1.5 million unique visitors each month and more than 30,000 registered users, the platform is redefining mental wellness. The IWill app employs an algorithm-based assessment to tailor therapy, ensuring personalized support for every user. This revolutionary approach, combined with over 45 in-house therapists and counsellors, has resulted in more than a lakh of offline sessions and over 3,500 on the IWill app.

Promoting Understanding and Recovery:

The challenges faced by ePsyClinic were twofold: creating a science of online therapy from scratch and overcoming skepticism surrounding mental health recovery. Shipra’s vision encompassed both therapy and training, leading to the development of copyrighted and proprietary programs that employ neuro-linguistic programming for accurate diagnosis and effective therapy delivery.

Fostering Dialogue and Change:

Shipra’s mission extends beyond ePsyClinic’s immediate impact. The platform aims to raise awareness and educate society about the importance of mental health. While challenges persist, such as the lack of conversation and understanding around mental health, Shipra’s determination remains unshaken. Her vision for a stigma-free community and nationwide awareness drives her pursuit of change.

Championing Personal Growth:

Shipra Dawar’s path hasn’t been without obstacles, yet she views each setback as a stepping stone towards success. Her journey teaches aspiring entrepreneurs that unwavering faith and tenacity are the keys to triumph. Looking forward, ePsyClinic is poised to scale its IWill Therapy app, with plans to raise seed funding and introduce additional treatment modules, including a remote psychiatry feature for rural India.

In a world where mental health remains a misunderstood and often neglected aspect of well-being, Shipra Dawar stands as a testament to the power of determination, innovation, and the potential for transformative change.