FORTIS MENTAL HEALTH

ASSOCIATION
BY: DR. SAMEER PARIKH
INTERNSHIP REPORT

SUBMITTED BY : XII A&D

KHUSHI CHAUDHARY
PRANAVI NAIR
CHHAVI JAIN
PRIYANKA JHA
ANJU SAJU
SUBMITTED TO : MRS.
SURBHI ARORA
 *INTRODUCTION*
The Fortis School Mental Health Programme,
spearheaded by Dr. Samir Parikh, is a pioneering
initiative aimed at promoting emotional well-being
among students across India. As Director of the
Department of Mental Health and Behavioural
Sciences at Fortis Healthcare, Dr. Parikh has
championed this program to address the growing
need for mental health awareness in educational
institutions. The program offers structured modules
on stress management, emotional resilience, peer
pressure, and digital wellness, tailored for students,
teachers, and parents. Through workshops, interactive
sessions, and outreach campaigns, it fosters a safe
space for dialogue and support. Operating in multiple
cities, the initiative has reached millions, making
mental health education accessible and relatable. Dr.
Parikh’s vision is to normalize conversations around
mental health and empower young minds with the
tools to thrive emotionally and socially. The program
stands as a testament to Fortis’s commitment to
holistic health and youth empowerment.
 *OBJECTIVE*
The objective of the Fortis School Mental Health
Programme, led by Dr. Samir Parikh, is to promote
preventive and positive mental health among school
students, educators, and parents across India. The
initiative aims to:

• Normalize conversations around mental health to

reduce stigma and encourage openness.
• Build emotional resilience and self-awareness
through interactive workshops and experiential
learning.
• Expose students to psychology and its real-world
applications, sparking interest in mental health
careers.
• Empower youth with life skills to manage stress,
peer pressure, and digital challenges.
• Create a safe and inclusive environment for mental
health dialogue within schools.

By integrating mental health education into school

systems, the program strives to shape a generation
that is emotionally intelligent, empathetic, and
equipped to support themselves and others.
 *DR. SAMEER PARIKH*
Dr. Samir Parikh is a renowned psychiatrist and the
Director of the Department of Mental Health and
Behavioural Sciences at Fortis Healthcare A. With over
25 years of experience, he has played a pivotal role in
shaping mental health awareness and education in
India. He completed his MBBS, DPM, and MD in
Psychiatry from Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, where he
was a university topper B.

Dr. Parikh is widely recognized for his expressive

communication style and deep understanding of
Indian culture and mental health. He has led
numerous training programs for professionals and
initiated impactful community outreach campaigns.
His department at Fortis spans over 20 centers across
India and has reached more than 15 crore lives
through its initiatives B.

He’s also a familiar face in the media, contributing

columns and appearing on television to advocate for
mental health. His leadership of the Fortis School
Mental Health Programme reflects his commitment to
empowering youth and normalizing mental health
conversations.
 *OBSERVATION*
Priyanka Jha 12-D
As part of our academic curriculum for Class 12
Psychology, I had the unique opportunity to intern at
Fortis Summer School for a period of 6 days. In those
6 days, I observed that creating a safe, non-
judgmental space is one of the most essential
elements of a therapeutic setting. The psychologists
maintained a professional yet empathetic demeanor,
making it easier for clients to open up. One of my key
observations was the importance of active listening.
Psychologists made sure to listen without
interrupting, used non-verbal cues to show
attentiveness, and often paraphrased the client’s
words to confirm understanding. During my
internship, I also observed and learned about several
psychological disorders, including Anxiety disorders,
Depressive disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
(OCD), Schizophrenia, Childhood disorders. Moreover,
I learned that proper diagnosis is the foundation of
treatment and different disorders required different
treatment approaches. This internship was not only
an educational experience but also a journey of
personal growth. I became more self-aware and
empathetic. I also developed better listening skills and
a deeper appreciation for mental health care.
Chhavi Jain 12-A
The internship was a highly enriching educational
experience for students at the school level. It
provided a well-rounded introduction to psychology,
mixing theoretical learning with practical insights. Dr.
Samir Parikh's guidance made complex topics easy to
grasp, while the friendly and inclusive format allowed
every student to participate actively. The course
structure ensured a steady progression from
foundational understanding to application and
[Link] internship provides me a clear
understanding of psychological terms and practices,
development of basic counselling and communication
skills, increased awareness of importance of mental
health everyday in life and exposure to real-world
psychological settings and career options. The main
topics cleared in these sessions Dr. Samir Parikh make
understand the topics like introduction to psychology
and mental health, therapeutic and interviewing
skills, case study analysis, life skills and emotional
intelligence and career pathways in [Link]
internship helped cultivate an early interest in the
field of psychology among students. It successfully
combined academic learning with emotional growth
and personal development. The structured modules,
expert mentors, and interactive activities made it a
valuable stepping stone for any student considering a
future in psychology.
Anju Saju 12-D
The online internship program conducted by Dr. Samir
Parikh, a leading psychiatrist from Fortis Healthcare
was highly insightful and focused on various types of
psychological disorders. The program was centered
around the theme “Understanding Psychological
Disorders”, and it provided deep insights into the
causes, symptoms, and management of various
mental health conditions.
Dr. Parikh explained different types of psychological
disorders, including anxiety disorders, depression,
OCD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more. Each
condition was discussed in terms of how it manifests,
the stigma attached to it, and how early identification
can make a significant difference in treatment and
recovery.

One key message from the session was the

importance of mental health literacy — understanding
that mental illnesses are just as real as physical ones
and should be treated with the same seriousness. Dr.
Parikh also stressed the importance of seeking help,
breaking the silence around mental health, and being
supportive of those who are going through difficult
times.
He also addressed misconceptions about therapy and
medication, encouraging us to adopt a more informed
and empathetic attitude.
This internship session was extremely beneficial in
expanding my knowledge about mental health and
disorders. It not only helped me understand the
subject academically but also inspired me to be more
aware and compassionate in real life.
Overall, the internship was a meaningful experience
that broadened my perspective on mental health, and
I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from an
expert like Dr. Samir Parikh.

Pranavi Nair 12-D

Observations and learning outcomes by: Pranavi Nair
class XII-D

Firstly I would like to extend a warm thanks to the

Fortis School Mental Health care to organize The
Summer internship programme...headed by Dr.
Sameer Parikh

This internship helped me in understanding certain

things with a more clear and broader aspect of some
topics which are of our level that is class 11th and
12th...The internship was of 6 Days...
In which, on each day Dr. Sameer Parikh covered
various topics...
*Day 1*: The internship was completely based on how
psychological interviewing works and a gist about
therapeutic approaches...
*Day 2*: was based on the Spectrum of Psychological
disorders and how a clinical disorder develops. On this
day he discussed about various important disorders
which were as per our curriculum also very important
like... Schizophrenia, Depression, Bipolar and Anxiety
disorders etc.
*Day 3*: Fields of psychology and application
*Day 4*: "Self in the world" now on this day of
internship based on the topic mentioned he gave a
little insights about Social psychology and how human
behaves and works based on the society and
environment it exists...
*Day 5*: "Therapeutic Approaches" on the second last
day of internship he basically elaborated certain
topics which he had only given the gist on the day 1
internship
*Day 6*: dealed community mental health and how
we can bring in the change...

This 6 days internship programme was a very good

opportunity for me to understand the things smoothly
with new experiences in a different set up...
Khushi Chaudhary 12-A
The workshop led by Dr. Samir Parikh for psychology
students under the Fortis School Mental Health
Programme offered a rich exploration of therapeutic
approaches, the concept of self, applied psychology,
and community mental health. Students experienced
hands-on learning through psychological interviewing,
Mental Status Examination (MSE), and case history
writing. They explored a spectrum of psychological
disorders—from neurodevelopmental conditions to
schizophrenia—enhancing diagnostic insight and
challenging stigma. Role-play activities introduced
them to cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and
humanistic therapies, emphasizing empathy and
effective intervention strategies. Discussions on “self
in the world” fostered self-awareness and emotional
intelligence. The workshop also highlighted fields like
clinical, counselling, educational, and organisational
psychology, showcasing real-world applications.
Finally, students learned the importance of
community engagement in reducing stigma and
promoting mental wellness. Overall, the experience
was transformative, blending scientific understanding
with emotional depth, preparing participants to
contribute meaningfully to the field of mental health.
 *LEARNING OUTCOME*
The workshop conducted by Dr. Samir Parikh under
the Fortis School Mental Health Programme yielded
impactful learning outcomes for psychology students.
Participants developed core clinical skills through
psychological interviewing, Mental Status
Examination (MSE), and case history writing. They
gained a nuanced understanding of therapeutic
approaches—cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic,
and humanistic—through experiential role-plays. The
exploration of psychological disorders, from
neurodevelopmental conditions to schizophrenia,
enhanced diagnostic reasoning and reduced stigma.
Students reflected on identity and emotional well-
being through discussions on “self in the world,”
fostering introspection and empathy. Exposure to
various fields of psychology—clinical, counselling,
educational, and organisational—broadened career
perspectives. Importantly, the workshop emphasized
the psychologist’s role in community mental health,
inspiring students to become advocates for awareness
and inclusion. Overall, the experience cultivated
emotional intelligence, ethical sensitivity, and a
deeper commitment to mental health, equipping
students with the tools to make meaningful
contributions to the field.