When A Psychiatrist Became A Friend: Why Generations Of Students, Parents And Patients Are Grieving Dr Anand Nadkarni’s Loss

For over four decades, Dr Nadkarni practised psychiatry with an unusual mix of science and sensitivity, particularly in Marathi-speaking communities. Through his counselling work, books, lectures and media appearances, he helped ordinary people understand complex mental health issues in simple, everyday language, often using stories and humour to break fear and shame around seeking help.

Life And Work Of A People’s Psychiatrist

Dr Nadkarni was known not just for his clinical expertise, but for the way he listened. Patients often recalled that he gave them time, respect and hope when they felt most lost. He believed that mental health care should not be confined to hospitals, and worked to take it into schools, offices, families and community spaces through workshops and outreach programmes.

Voice Of Mental Health In Marathi

A prolific writer and speaker, he popularised mental health awareness in Marathi through columns, books and TV or radio discussions. He frequently addressed themes like exam stress, work burnout, addiction, marital conflict and youth anxiety, making psychiatry feel less like a distant science and more like a conversation across the table. Many in Maharashtra first heard words like “depression” or “panic attack” explained by him in relatable, non-judgmental terms.

Legacy Of Care Highlights

• Helped normalise seeking psychiatric help among middle-class Marathi families.
• Blended clinical psychiatry with storytelling, culture and local language.
• Guided students, professionals and parents on exam stress and performance pressure.
• Spoke openly on addiction, suicide prevention and emotional resilience.
• Mentored younger therapists and counsellors, shaping Maharashtra’s mental health ecosystem.

Why His Loss Feels Personal

For countless people, Dr Anand Nadkarni was not just a doctor, but a steady voice that told them their pain was real and treatable. His passing at 67 leaves a visible gap in Maharashtra’s mental health landscape, but his ideas, writings and the professionals he trained will continue to influence how the state talks about the mind, suffering and healing. In a field still battling stigma, his life’s work stands as a reminder that empathy, language and patience can be as powerful as any prescription.

Sources: Economic Times, PTI, NDTV, Lokmat Times