Dr. Anand Nadkarni founded the Institute of Psychological Health in Thane on 23 March 1990 to address misconceptions about mental disorders. | Photo credit: X/@Dev_Fadnavis
Dr. Anand Nadkarni, a psychiatrist, writer and founder of the Thane Institute for Psychological Health, died on Friday morning (May 15, 2026) at a hospital in Mumbai. He was 66. His work included mental health awareness, addiction treatment, literature and theater.
Dr. Nadkarni lived in Thane’s Samatanagar area. He was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai where his health began to deteriorate on the night of Thursday (May 14, 2026). He is survived by his wife and son. His body will be cremated in Thane.
Dr. Born on 22 December 1958, Nadkarni faced physical challenges due to polio in his childhood. His father was a professor and later a director. Dr. Nadkarni completed his early education in Jalgaon, Ambejogai, Vile Parle and Thane. He received his Science Degree from Thane College, MBBS from Seth GS Medical College in 1980, Diploma in Psychological Medicine from KEM Hospital and MD in Psychiatry in 1984. He was a gold medalist of Mumbai University in MD examination and worked as a teacher in KEM Hospital.
In March, he was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas. He underwent the surgery on May 6 at the Global Hospital in Mumbai. He was recovering, but on the night of May 13, he vomited and contracted aspiration pneumonia. A perforation in the intestine led to another operation that same night. At first his condition seemed to be improving.
Dr. Nadkarni founded the Institute of Psychological Health (IPH) in Thane on 23 March 1990 to address misconceptions about mental disorders. The institute later functioned as a recognized educational center affiliated to Mumbai University, SNDT University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Amity University and Indira Gandhi Open University. She has worked in Thane, Pune and Nashik. He was also a founding member of the Muktangan Addiction Detoxification Center in Pune. In the 1980s, his work with addicted street youth led to the Muktangan Addiction Detoxification and Rehabilitation Center. He served as the President of the “Muktangan Mitra” organization.
Dr. Nadkarni has written more than 27 literary works, including novels, plays, poems and psychological writings. His books ‘Gadhepanchavishi’ and ‘Vishadayoga’ have won awards from the Government of Maharashtra. His commercial plays ‘Rang Maza Wegala’ and ‘Aseech Amehi Saare’ were staged. Other plays like ‘Hehi Divas Jatala’, ‘Jatrarahat’, ‘Sobitine Chaltana’ and ‘Rang Mazha Wegala’ won acclaim. His book “The Psychiatrist of the Wise” is well known. Other titles include ‘Nature-Vibhava’, ‘Manogati’, ‘Karma-Dharma Sanyog’, ‘Muktipatre’, ‘Diary of a Psychiatrist’, ‘The Sense of Health’, ‘These Days Will Pass’ and ‘Janma Rahasya’.
As an expert, he has participated in Marathi films “Kaasav”, “Khadham”, “Devrai” and “Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar”. Three albums of Marathi and Hindi songs written and composed by him have been released. During the Covid-19 period, he conducted both online and offline mental health activities, including over 450 webinars and hundreds of interviews. The Avahan IPH YouTube channel has become a platform for mental health under his leadership. In 2025, he received a lifetime achievement award.
Published – 16 May 2026 02:45 IST
