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National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, launched AYUSH-MANN, a month-long initiative, on September 23 2025. The launch coincided with the celebration of the 10th National Ayurveda Day.
Dr D Nagaraja, former director, NIMHANS; Dr B N Gangadhar, Professor Emeritus and former Director of NIMHANS; Dr Satyaprabha, Associate Dean (Basic Sciences),
Harsha, Registrar of NIMHANS; and Dr Kishore Kumar R, Head of the Department of Integrative Medicine, were present.
On the occasion, a mascot ‘Swasthmaan,’ the Elephant of Wisdom and Wellbeing” along with a slogan, was released. Swasthmaan reflects the harmony of ancient Indian traditions with integrative modern science. The mascot embodies intellect and emotional resilience: its wide ears represent the empathetic listening central to psychiatry; the mudra in its hand signifies spiritual growth inspired by Yoga; and the churning of herbal medicine symbolizes Ayurveda’s holistic, nature-centred healing.
AYUSH-MANN features a series of public engagement activities, including an Open Day at the Department of Integrative Medicine, webinars, expert podcasts, panel discussions, and awareness programmes in community spaces such as apartment complexes and old-age homes. Exhibitions showcasing integrative medicine practices are also part of the initiative.
Integrative Medicine Services at NIMHANS which has a incorporated Indian traditional systems of medicine into mental healthcare from 1974, following recommendations from various expert committees.
In 2019, NIMHANS established the Department of Integrative Medicine (IMD) as an independent unit, among the first of its kind in any Institute of National Importance in India. The IMD also leads in advanced research, supported by prestigious national and international agencies such as ICMR, CCRYN, CCRAS, DBT-Wellcome Trust, and NIMH (USA). Its flagship project, Yoga and Ayurveda in Neuroscience: Translational Research Accelerator (YANTRA), involves comprehensive Prakruti analysis spanning genotype to phenotype schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, mood disorders, and multiple sclerosis. Research also extends to addiction, ADHD, Parkinson’s disease, and migraine. The department has already published more than 100 research papers in indexed national and international journals, particularly on the use of Yoga as a therapy for neuropsychiatric disorders, which have been quoted widely internationally.
Further IMD also spearheads research, supported by national and international agencies such as ICMR, CCRYN, CCRAS, DBT–Wellcome Trust, and NIMH (USA). Its flagship project, Yoga and Ayurveda in Neuroscience: Translational Research Accelerator (YANTRA), undertakes comprehensive Prakruti analysis—spanning genotype to phenotype—across disorders such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, mood disorders, and multiple sclerosis. Research initiatives also extend to addiction, ADHD, Parkinson’s disease, and migraine.
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