Prabha S. Chandra MD, FRCPsych, FRCPE, FAMS

Dr. Prabha S. Chandra is a Senior Professor of Psychiatry and Dean of Behavior Science and also the former Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the prestigious National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bangalore, India. With a career dedicated to advancing women's mental health and women's well-being, she stands as a prominent global figure in the field and is the current President of the International Association of Women’s Mental Health. Her impactful initiatives have included pioneering the first-ever Mother Baby Inpatient Psychiatric Unit and a specialized Perinatal Psychiatry service in Asia, both located in Bangalore. She was also the lead for Project Stree Manoraksha, a Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India-funded project which during the pandemic trained 3000 front-line workers in mental health issues of Gender Based Violence.

A true advocate for change, Dr. Chandra co-authored the World Psychiatric Association curriculum addressing Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence. Her research contributions include 320 publications, an h index of 48, and an i-10 index of 162. She has been a Principal Investigator in 16 funded research grants focusing on women's mental health.

Dr. Chandra also holds key editorial roles, serving as the Associate Editor for the "Archives of Women’s Mental Health" and as a member of the Editorial Board for "Lancet Psychiatry." Furthermore, her global influence extends to her past roles as a Temporary Advisor to the World Health Organization and UNAIDS, as well as her appointment as a nominated member of the Mission Steering Group (MSG) for the National Health Mission, Government of India.

Her achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Marce Medal and Professor Channi Kumar Oration from the Marce International Society for Perinatal Psychiatry. Notably, in 2018, she was featured in Lancet Psychiatry as a champion for Women's Mental Health in India. Dr. Chandra's unwavering commitment to women's mental health and her impactful contributions have left an indelible mark on the field, making her a distinguished leader and advocate for positive change.