Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of one of India’s biggest conglomerates, Tata Sons, died on Wednesday in Mumbai after a long ailment. The 86-year-old was recognised for his integrity, ethical leadership and commitment to philanthropy, making him an iconic figure both in India and internationally. The business tycoon also played a key role in promoting mental well-being. He was an early advocate of corporate wellness programmes, understanding the importance of mental health in driving workplace productivity. As a chairman of Tata Group, he also fostered a work culture that prioritised employee health and happiness. 

Now, on the occasion of World Mental Health Day today, October 10, it is fitting to reflect on the contributions of Ratan Tata as the champion of mental well-being. 

One of his most significant contributions to mental health was via Tata Trusts, the philanthropic arm of Tata Group. Under his leadership, Tata Trusts initiated its work in mental healthcare and spearheaded several initiatives aimed at improving mental healthcare accessibility in India. This came at a time when there was very little recognition of the burden of mental disorders and a poor understanding of wellbeing and its impact on overall health. 

One of the main programmes under Ratan Tata’s leadership was the Trusts’ Udaan initiative – a mental health programme launched in 2016. According to the official site, Udaan focuses on rehabilitating individuals with mental disabilities through institutional reform and community-based mental health services. 

Udaan has recently undertaken two “large and path-breaking” programmes in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra as well. First, through Udaan, the Trusts’ effort is to offer an alternative narrative in the global mental health space through systematic and evidence-based reforms, repurposing the role of a psychiatric hospital to offer vulnerable people an important element of care that is otherwise not available in low-resource settings.

The second collaborative programme launched by Udaan is a district-wide community mental health programme for the district of Nagpur. This ambitious programme directly covers a population of five million people, providing mental health services at their doorstep. It aims to work with communities to build awareness on mental health, early detection of illness and to provide care closer to home.

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Apart from this, Mr Tata is also known for his empathy and genuine concern for people’s well-being. He once said, “I don’t believe in work-life balance. I believe in work-life integration. Make your work and life meaningful and fulfilling, and they will complement each other.” 

He once also remarked, “One day you will realize that material things mean nothing. All that matters is the well-being of the people you love”. 

Now, as we remember Ratan Tata today, his legacy in mental health advocacy continues to inspire us. Apart from this, he will also be remembered for his significant contributions to the healthcare sector in India, supporting initiatives addressing maternal health, child health and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases like cancer, malaria and tuberculosis.