Dr. Girija Mahale, a dedicated psychiatrist with nearly 15 years of experience, leads the Symbiosis Centre for Emotional Wellbeing and serves as the Program Head for the newly launched B.Sc. in Mental Health undergraduate degree at the Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences.

Dr. Mahale is deeply passionate about advancing mental health and has extensive experience across various specialties, including Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Youth Mental Health, and Addiction Medicine, with a primary focus on Youth Mental Health.

A graduate of the MD program in Psychiatry at Seth GS Medical College, KEM Hospital, Dr. Mahale also completed a prestigious fellowship with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. During this fellowship, she specialized in working with individuals aged 12 to 25, gaining significant expertise in addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by young people.

Renowned as a compassionate leader, a dedicated advocate for mental health, and an inspiring teacher, Dr. Mahale is committed to empowering individuals and promoting well-being within the educational community and beyond.

Dr. Rahul R. Bagale is a compassionate psychiatrist and the Deputy Head of the Symbiosis Centre for Emotional Wellbeing (SCEW). He completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Psychiatry (DPM) in 2016 and has gained valuable experience working under senior psychiatrists in Mumbai. Dr. Bagale is passionate about community awareness and has actively engaged in mental health education through various platforms.

His special areas of interest include Mind-Body Science, De-Addiction, and Sexual Medicine. Dr. Bagale is a certified REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) practitioner and integrates mindfulness into his daily life. Additionally, he has completed the WPA & NIMHANS-organized Certificate Course in Yoga for Mental Health, further expanding his expertise.

Dr. Bagale is dedicated to helping Symbiosis students rediscover their innate potential through a humanistic and reality-based approach. He plays an integral role in clinical care, academic programs, community outreach, and research initiatives conducted by the SCEW team. His commitment to holistic mental health and student well-being makes him a valuable leader in the field.

Tahera Kauserali Lokhandwala is the Senior Psychologist at the Symbiosis Centre for Emotional Wellbeing (SCEW). She holds an MSc in Social and Cultural Psychology from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a B.A. in Psychology (Hons) from Fergusson College. Since joining SCEW in August 2018, she has been instrumental in its growth, contributing to various mental health interventions, programs, and academic courses. Tahera also serves as faculty for the BSc in Mental Health undergraduate program, focusing on psychological-socio-cultural determinants, mental health advocacy, and community mental health.

As a former State Consultant for UNICEF, she authored a research report on quality education that influenced 4,000 rural Maharashtra schools and created a Life Skills curriculum for the Mentor Together Program, used by adolescent girls across India. Tahera has completed a certificate course in Leadership Development from TISS and is a certified art therapist, with extensive experience supporting children and young adults in their self-discovery and healing journeys.