Breaking the Stigma: An open conversation with Dr. Aditi Govitrikar

India’s first Mrs. World, an actor, wellness expert, counsellor, and psychologist – Dr. Aditi Govitrikar is juggling so many things. How do you manage all of this?

Time management is essential to me. I ensure that I audit my time to make the optimum use of it so that I can allocate sufficient time to learn and study because it is my passion amongst other things, of course. That is how I manage. Trust me, it is all about Time Management.

Tell us more about Rytlife, your online mental health counselling and how did that journey start?

Eight years ago, I embarked on a journey as a psychologist. At that time, I found myself at a crossroads in my career. After almost a decade of modelling, I was feeling a bit unstimulated and craved intellectual growth. Seeking advice from my friends, I was presented with two options: psychology and skincare. Both piqued my interest, but it was the human mind that fascinated me the most. Unfortunately, in India, mental health was not widely accepted, and mental disorders were largely misunderstood. Determined to create awareness and help others, I pursued psychology and combined my professional background as a model and actor to help break the stigma. As COVID-19 hit, mental health awareness grew exponentially, and I was approached by Mr. Reddy (aka Mr. VNR) to serve as the face and brand ambassador for Right Life. As people began turning to online therapy, our services gained momentum, and we are grateful to be making a difference in people’s lives. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and I’m delighted to see that people are finally realizing this.

Why should people take mental health and overall wellness seriously in today’s time and age?

The reason why people must take their mental well-being very seriously is because ultimately, we are what we think and of course, the other part is we are what we eat. So, it all begins with the thought! Suppose, if I keep telling myself and building a narrative in my head that I am not good enough or people have been telling me that ‘you are stupid, you are an idiot, or you can’t do’, now, it has been proven that even if a person is capable, but this conversation in his brain or people telling him it can happen that will hamper that person’s creativity or productivity. It’s called the Golem effect and it’s proven to be true! Therefore, it’s crucial to be aware of our thoughts and work towards changing negative narratives to improve our mental health. Unfortunately, what happens is most of us human beings have a propensity towards negativity and out of 60 to 80 thousand thoughts we think every single day, most of them are negative. That is when mental health comes into the picture – to change the narrative. Additionally, mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, and ADHD can be managed or treated with therapy or medication, enabling individuals to lead fulfilling lives. It’s essential to pay attention to our mental well-being to ensure we can lead a healthy and productive life.

We recently heard that you have done a lot of work for the transgender community. Will you please elucidate on this?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the opportunity to work with ESSAR and Mr. Kaustabh Sonalkar on a project aimed at supporting the vulnerable and marginalized transgender community. Unfortunately, the pandemic exacerbated their already difficult circumstances, as many lost their livelihoods, were unable to travel, and even struggled to find enough food to eat. In response, the ESSAR Foundation stepped in to provide much-needed assistance, and I was honoured to contribute by leading group workshops and providing one-on-one counselling to help alleviate the challenges they faced. It was my hope that by doing so, they could at least find some peace amidst the trying circumstances.

People only see the glamorous side of being a celebrity. Enlighten our readers about the struggles of dealing with depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders while having to keep a perfect public image.

People often expect glamorous celebrities to have an effortless, picture-perfect life in the limelight. However, the reality is that being a celebrity can take a toll on their well-being as they must always present themselves impeccably. A single bad hair day or misstep can cause a public uproar, adding to the pressure they face. It’s important to remember that celebrities are human beings who experience the same range of emotions as anyone else. They can feel hurt and low, especially during times of personal struggle such as relationship breakups. While expectations for celebrities are high, they deserve the same level of privacy and respect as anyone else. While some celebrities may use their personal lives to create controversy, but for me, I feel you need to draw a boundary, it is a personal choice and boundaries should be respected.

What does your wellness routine look like?

My wellness routine is a cornerstone of my life, and it includes several key practices that have become second nature to me. For the past 13 years, I’ve made a point to attend a 10-day Vipassana retreat at the Gorai Centre annually, and I also meditate daily for at least 20 minutes. Ensuring that I get seven hours of sleep each night has become a crucial component of my routine, although I understand that travel and other obligations can make this challenging at times. I also make it a priority to work out three to five times a week, follow a vegetarian diet, and drink at least two litres of water each day. While it can be difficult to maintain a consistent routine with a constantly changing schedule, I do my best to incorporate these practices into my daily life no matter where I am or what I’m doing.

If the problem is changeable, think of at least ten different solutions.

In today’s age of social media where vanity and validation are so important, how do we all take care of our mental health which is mostly impacted by social media?

Social media is a double-edged sword. While I personally enjoy using social media, scrolling, and sharing content, it’s important to recognize that it can have negative effects on individuals, especially younger people. Studies have shown that excessive use of social media can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression, as it can take away from the essential human interactions that we need. We’ve all witnessed the negative effects of social media addiction, with people glued to their phones in public places, disconnected from those around them. This can lead to a rise in mental health issues, which is why parents should monitor their children’s social media use and schools should educate students on the potential pitfalls of social media. Furthermore, social media can also perpetuate negative thoughts and feelings, particularly in terms of self-image. It’s easy to compare ourselves to others and focus on our flaws, rather than celebrating our strengths. We need to be mindful of the distinction between reel life and real life, recognizing that social media only shows a small part of the whole picture. I do love interacting with my fans and followers, but again, it’s important to set boundaries and be conscious of the time we spend on social media. By taking control of our social media use, we can enhance our lives and relationships, rather than detract from them

What’s new and exciting happening at the work front for you?

There are many exciting developments happening in my life, including the fact that I am earning my second degree in Masters in Psychology from Harvard University. This is a significant accomplishment, and I am thrilled to receive the degree on May 25th of this year. In addition to my academic pursuits, I am involved in various professional activities, such as judging beauty pageants, delivering motivational talks, conducting workshops with corporates, and pursuing acting roles. Recently, Mismatched Season 2 was released, and Season 3 has been approved, which is very exciting.

I am also eager to explore the OTT space. Moreover, I am proud to have started a new entrepreneurial venture called Pupperazy.com, providing pet training and grooming services directly to people’s homes. Along with my partner, Mr. Siddharth Kedia, who also has a dog, we are determined to make Pupperazy a successful and thriving business. As a pet owner and lover, I am excited about this new opportunity and hopeful that Pupperazy will become a unicorn company.

As a certified psychologist, you may have interacted with all kinds of people. What life advice would you want to give people?

Using “advice” might not be the best choice of words as I am not in a position to advise anyone, given that each person’s journey is unique and personal. Challenges and obstacles are part of everyone’s life, regardless of their status, achievements, or entitlements. Instead, I suggest taking a moment to reflect on the issue or difficulty you’re facing and ask yourself if it will matter in five years. COVID has taught us how short life can be, and that our time is precious. If the problem is changeable, think of at least ten different solutions, no matter how bizarre they may seem, and seek help without hesitation. Whether the issue is mental, financial, or emotional, we should solve it because life is beautiful, and we should all live beautifully.

And lastly, what advice would you give to other people who may be interested in pursuing counselling as a career?

Here I would definitely want to give advice – Please do become a counsellor or a psychologist because we need a lot more in our country, we don’t have enough. It’s a great field to be in, so whoever is interested just take that jump and become one soon.