Dr. Achal Bhagat is a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience, practicing at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi, since 1995. He is the Chairperson of Saarthak, a group of mental health organizations working across South Asia, and actively supports AADI, an organization advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. Trained in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at PGIMER Chandigarh and Oxford, UK, he has been at the forefront of pioneering public health initiatives in mental health in India.
Dr. Bhagat leads a multidisciplinary mental health team and has worked as a consultant with organizations like UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNODC, and JPAL, contributing to judicial processes on mental health across South Asia. With a strong commitment to capacity building, he has trained nearly 5,000 barefoot counselors and mental health professionals in cognitive behavior therapy, family therapy, and inclusive development. He has authored 15 mental health manuals and actively contributes to print and electronic media, driving awareness and advocacy in the field.