At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Dr Shradha Malik for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Dr Shradha is a Social Entrepreneur, Tedx Speaker and Founder & CEO at Athena Behavioral Health. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Dr Shradha:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My journey into mental health was not purely professional — it was deeply personal. I’ve witnessed firsthand the pain, confusion, and silence that surround mental illness and addiction. Losing people I loved pushed me to ask difficult questions and ultimately shaped my mission.
Academically, I trained in Clinical Psychiatry at the University of South Wales, and later strengthened my leadership foundation at IIM Ahmedabad. But the real learning came from listening to patients, caregivers, and families who had nowhere to go. That is what inspired me to build Athena Behavioral Health — a space where care is not just clinical, but compassionate, personalised, and dignified.
What began as an intent has grown into a multi-centre behavioural health network, and along the way, I’ve been humbled to receive recognitions like the Nari Shakti Award. But the true reward is knowing that lives are being transformed every single day.
‘Athena Behavioral Health’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
I chose the name Athena because she is the goddess of wisdom, courage, and strategic thinking — qualities that define the future of mental healthcare.
India has long treated mental health as an afterthought. The biggest challenges I set out to solve were:
a) Lack of accessible, high-quality care
b) Stigma that prevents people from seeking support
c) Fragmented treatment models that don’t address the whole person
d) A gap in gender-sensitive mental health spaces, especially for women
Athena Behavioral Health is my answer to this. We offer integrated, evidence-based treatment for mental illness and addiction, backed by a multidisciplinary team. We also built Athena Okas, an all-women centre offering a safe, dignified, and empathetic environment for women navigating mental health challenges.
My goal is simple: to transform how India understands, delivers, and experiences mental healthcare.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
What keeps me going is purpose. Every time I see a patient walk out with hope in their eyes, or a family reunited after years of struggle, I’m reminded of why I started. The transformations are real — and they’re powerful.
I’m also deeply motivated by the belief that India deserves better mental health infrastructure. Building this system is not easy; it requires resilience, patience, and courage.
But when you know the work matters, you learn to push through the hardest days. And finally, my team — their passion and commitment fuel me every single day.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1. Empathy is a superpower. It can heal wounds that even medicine cannot.
2) Purpose needs structure. Vision must be paired with strategy, discipline, and systems to create real change.
3) Leadership requires vulnerability. Admitting what you don’t know and being willing to learn makes you stronger, not weaker.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
For me, success is a blend of:
> Clarity of purpose
> Consistency in action
> Courage to innovate and question norms
> Integrity in every decision
> People-first thinking— whether patients, students, or your team.
Success is not speed; it’s direction. It’s not applause; it’s impact.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Find a path that gives you meaning, not just a paycheck. Be endlessly curious — the world is changing faster than ever, and learning is your greatest advantage.
Don’t be afraid to fail early.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
And don’t forget to take care of your mental health along the way. Burnout is not a badge of honour.
Most importantly, stay rooted in your values. They’ll guide you when nothing else does.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
What excites me most is witnessing real human transformation. There is no feeling like seeing someone reclaim their life after years of struggle. That is why I do what I do.
It’s satisfying to know that Athena started as a vision and today stands as a growing movement — reducing stigma, expanding access, and shaping the future of behavioral health in India.
Every day brings a new challenge, a new story, a new life touched. And to me, that is the most meaningful journey one can ask for.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
