In this episode of The Curious Case of…, Ira sits down with Dr. Amit Malik to talk about the mental health system — what’s missing, what’s delayed, and what still needs to change.

But the conversation doesn’t stop there. Because if you’re someone struggling right now, knowing the system isn’t perfect doesn’t tell you what to do today. It doesn’t make it easier to take the first step.

So they ask a more immediate question: given the system we have, how do you actually find help — and find it early?

They explore what it means to navigate care in a practical way — how to recognise early signs, what to look for in the help you’re receiving, and when it might be time to keep searching. The conversation also reflects on the realities of the system in India today, and where it still needs to evolve.

Because even if the system takes time to change, your need for support is here, now.

Stay curious.

 

Resources:

Mental Health and Additional Resources Directory ​​

What is Therapy?

What is a Safe Space? 





CREDITS:

Host: Ira Khan 

 

Agatsu Foundation Team 

Art Design: Ayushi Lilani

Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha 

Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)

 

This is a Maed in India production

Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha 

Visual Designer: Alika Gupta

Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar 

Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar

Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil





Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai

In this episode of&nbsp;The Curious Case of&hellip;, Ira sits down with Dr. Amit Malik to talk about the mental health system &mdash; what&rsquo;s missing, what&rsquo;s delayed, and what still needs to change.
But the conversation doesn&rsquo;t stop there. Because if you&rsquo;re someone struggling right now, knowing the system isn&rsquo;t perfect doesn&rsquo;t tell you what to do today. It doesn&rsquo;t make it easier to take the first step.
So they ask a more immediate question: given the system we have, how do you actually find help &mdash; and find it early?
They explore what it means to navigate care in a practical way &mdash; how to recognise early signs, what to look for in the help you&rsquo;re receiving, and when it might be time to keep searching. The conversation also reflects on the realities of the system in India today, and where it still needs to evolve.
Because even if the system takes time to change, your need for support is here, now.
Stay curious.
&nbsp;
Resources:
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-_g1lLNBPJqqI6izUc-7lGs10RXtVCnOWlSXpjmWPNQ/edit?gid=0#gid=0">Mental Health and Additional Resources Directory</a> ​​
<a href="https://tinyurl.com/TCCOfilesRadhikaBapat">What is Therapy?</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOnX70HCD7y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">What is a Safe Space?</a>&nbsp;
 
CREDITS:
Host: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/khan.ira/">Ira Khan</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Agatsu Foundation Team&nbsp;
Art Design: Ayushi Lilani
Creative Consultant: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sahabime/?hl=en">Abhishek Saha</a>&nbsp;
Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)
&nbsp;
This is a <a href="https://www.maedinindia.in/">Maed in India</a> production
Head of Production: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en">Mae Mariyam Thomas</a>
Project Manager: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome">Shaun Fanthome</a>
Director &amp; Video Editor: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/short___round/">Jishnu Guha</a>&nbsp;
Visual Designer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix/">Alika Gupta</a>
Producer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_saw/">Ruchi Sawardekar</a>&nbsp;
Mix Engineer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en">Kartik Kulkarni</a>
Asst. Sound Recordist &amp; Sound Editor: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nihar_temkar?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==">Nihar Temkar</a>
Production Coordinator: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thesocialnatwork/">Natasha Vakil</a>
 
Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai

Hosted by Ira Khan, the show invites you to slow down and get curious about the complexities of mental health and mental illness — not just as clinical terms, but as real parts of real life.

In a world flooded with advice, opinions, and endless content, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and walk away with more confusion than clarity. This podcast is a counter-space. A space for asking instead of assuming. For listening instead of scrolling. For wondering why we think, feel, and behave the way we do.

Joined by psychologists, artists, caregivers, people with lived experience, and fellow question-askers, Ira explores the many layers of the human experience — from how we cope and connect to how we break and rebuild.

Each episode offers a space to go deeper — whether it’s through experiences, stories, science, or shared vulnerability. No pressure to have it all figured out. Just room to explore the questions that matter.

Because maybe the most powerful thing we can do — is stay curious.

Hosted by Ira Khan, the show invites you to slow down and get curious about the complexities of mental health and mental illness &mdash; not just as clinical terms, but as real parts of real life.
In a world flooded with advice, opinions, and endless content, it&rsquo;s easy to feel overwhelmed and walk away with more confusion than clarity. This podcast is a counter-space. A space for asking instead of assuming. For listening instead of scrolling. For wondering why we think, feel, and behave the way we do.
Joined by psychologists, artists, caregivers, people with lived experience, and fellow question-askers, Ira explores the many layers of the human experience &mdash; from how we cope and connect to how we break and rebuild.
Each episode offers a space to go deeper &mdash; whether it&rsquo;s through experiences, stories, science, or shared vulnerability. No pressure to have it all figured out. Just room to explore the questions that matter.
Because maybe the most powerful thing we can do &mdash; is stay curious.