[100 emerging women leaders] How Abha Dandekar is creating safe space for mental health in the corporate world

Abha Dandekar’s initial interest in mental health began with her undergraduate degree in psychology, but her commitment deepened through personal experiences.

Growing up, she saw her younger brother’s battle with anxiety and depression, which shaped her understanding of mental health. While her brother’s struggles were a source of significant family stress, rather than retreating into silence, Dandekar’s family chose openness and treated mental illness with the same gravity as physical illnesses.

“These open dialogues had a ripple effect beyond our immediate circle,” Dandekar tells HerStory.

“Friends, family, and acquaintances who faced their own mental health challenges felt comfortable reaching out to us for support.”

This experience highlighted a crucial issue—despite a growing awareness of mental health, there was still a significant lack of basic education about mental health services in India.

“Many people were unsure about the different modalities and specialisations available to them and struggled to find appropriate help,” she says.

This led Dandekar to a broader vision—to integrate mental health into the Raintree Foundation, which was started by her family to focus on climate resilience and community development.

They now integrated mental health into their rural programmes, recognising that addressing climate change also meant supporting the mental well-being of affected communities they were working within Pune. This approach included setting up a rural counselling centre, which has successfully supported local populations.

In February this year, Dandekar launched Elephant in the Room Consultancy in Mumbai, a consultancy that offers mental health solutions for organisations. The idea was to leverage her expertise in a commercial space, focusing on integrating mental health into workplace culture through targeted training and capacity building.

She decided it was time to harness corporate social capital for broader societal benefit.

“Corporates have significant social capital, but they need sensitisation,” says Dandekar. “Many employees are also caregivers for children and ageing parents, which can elevate the incidence of mental health issues. By training them to recognise signs of mental health needs in others, they can better support their dependents as well,” she adds.

Going beyond tokenism

The challenge, however, was to avoid tokenistic approaches to mental health. In the corporate world, mental health initiatives often fall into the trap of being superficial—occasional workshops on designated days that lack real impact.

Dandekar says their approach counters this by offering a structured, consultancy-based service that avoids these pitfalls.

Elephant in the Room Consultancy avoids one-off sessions by embedding mental health practices into the organisational framework. “We conduct discovery periods with organisations, where we survey employees, hold focus group discussions, and understand both current challenges and leadership aspirations,” says Dandekar, who has 10 members in her core team.

“Our thorough groundwork ensures that mental health initiatives are not just periodic but deeply integrated into the company’s ethos,” she adds.

Tailored programmes for diverse needs

Acknowledging resistance to long-term mental health integration, Dandekar says some organisations do view these initiatives as a waste of time or unnecessary. To counteract this, she and her team conduct trial sessions, providing a foundational understanding of mental health that underscores its importance.

“The initial session introduces the mental health continuum, discussing symptoms of common disorders like depression and anxiety, and demystifying the process of seeking help,” she explains. “This educational foundation is crucial for building trust and demonstrating the tangible benefits of sustained mental health efforts.”

Additionally, Elephant in the Room Consultancy conducts engaging, interactive workshops to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health using simple tools.

For instance, one popular activity involves participants holding a heavy object above their heads to illustrate the growing burden of mental stress. This experiential learning helps employees understand the importance of seeking help early.

The services offered range from two-hour basic workshops to more comprehensive, half-day or full-day sessions. Elephant in the Room Consultancy customises its approach based on organsational needs, ensuring that mental health training is relevant and impactful.

Dandekar highlights that the prevalence of issues like work-life balance and generational gaps in the workforce are most common in the corporate sector.

“The pressure to stay connected 24/7 and the generational disconnect between younger employees and older management are significant concerns,” she says.

Navigating gender dynamics

Being a woman leading a mental health initiative brings a unique perspective to her work, says Dandekar. “Women often juggle multiple responsibilities, balancing paid work with unpaid domestic duties,” she says. This experience informs her approach, emphasising the need for self-care and practical strategies for women to manage their well-being amidst demanding roles.

Women entering the mental health field must prioritise self-care, she says. “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Make time for yourself, even if it’s just five minutes of breathing or relaxation. It’s crucial for sustaining your ability to support others."

(The copy was updated with corrections.)