Dr. Neena Sawant: Leading Psychiatrist & Academic Mentor at Seth G.S.M.C. & K.E.M. Hospital & TNMC & BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai

Dr. Neena Sawant is a distinguished psychiatrist and academic leader with over 32 years of experience in mental health care, teaching, research, and community engagement in India. She is currently Professor & Head in the Department of Psychiatry at TNMC & BYL Nair Hospital and was serving as a medical teacher for nearly 24 years at Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College (Seth G.S.M.C.) & King Edward Memorial (K.E.M.) Hospital, Mumbai, one of the country’s premier public teaching hospitals and medical colleges. Academic Qualifications & Professional Role Dr. Sawant holds the qualifications MBBS, Diploma in Psychiatric Medicine (DPM), and MD in Psychiatry, reflecting her extensive academic training in the discipline of mental health. She is a FAIMER Fellow and a member of the Department of Medical Education at KEMH. At K.E.M. Hospital, she served as Professor & Head of Unit in the Department of Psychiatry, where she oversaw clinical care, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and academic administration. She managed outpatient services on designated days, supervising comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, treatment planning, and follow-up for diverse patient populations. Her work profile at TNMC & BYL Nair hospital is also on same lines. Clinical Expertise & Patient Care Dr. Sawant’s clinical expertise spans a wide spectrum of psychiatric conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety, depression, psychotic illnesses, deaddiction, and neuropsychiatric complexities. In her psychiatric practice at a major public teaching hospital, she emphasizes accurate diagnosis, empathetic care, and evidence-based treatment, serving patients from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. Her contributions also extend to deaddiction services and the management of complex cases requiring multidisciplinary support, such as epilepsy care involving emotional and psychological assessment, disability certification, evaluation of gender dysphoria and gender reassignment surgery. She also worked towards improving mental wellness among the undergraduate and postgraduate students of the medical college. Academic Leadership & Research Contributions As a senior faculty member with decades of teaching experience, Dr. Sawant plays a pivotal role in training future psychiatrists and general physicians. She actively participates in case discussions, seminars, and clinical rounds that enrich the learning environment for medical students and residents. Her research activities include studies published in reputable journals and collaborations with residents and colleagues on topics such as stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic in healthcare workers and clinical psychiatric presentations. Professional Engagement & Mental Health Advocacy Beyond her institutional role, Dr. Sawant has been recognized as an influential voice in the psychiatric community. She has served in leadership capacities including editorial roles in regional psychiatric journals and has been actively involved with professional bodies such as the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) and was the President of IPS Western Zonal Branch (2023-2024). In addition to clinical and academic work, she is deeply committed to mental health awareness and public education. Dr. Sawant has championed community-oriented initiatives aimed at improving mental health literacy and early recognition of psychological concerns through accessible digital tools and public outreach programs. She developed the Saksham Mental Wellness App to create awareness about mental health .It has a self-help zone and is freely available in 3 languages on play store and ios platform. She has also written books on parenting in vernacular for public to understand the common emotional and behavioural problems in children. Commitment to Holistic Well-Being Colleagues and patients alike describe Dr. Sawant as a compassionate clinician, dedicated teacher, and community-focused advocate. Her approach integrates clinical rigor with empathy, emphasizing not just symptom management but overall psychological well-being. Legacy & Impact Dr. Neena Sawant’s enduring impact lies in:

• Educating and mentoring generations of psychiatrists and medical professionals
• Strengthening psychiatric services at one of India’s oldest and largest teaching hospitals
• Advancing research in clinical psychiatry and mental health awareness
• Promoting tools and platforms that support mental health literacy in the wider public

Her multifaceted contributions as a clinician, educator, researcher, and advocate reflect a lifelong commitment to advancing mental health care in India.