GCC Opens Mind Mantra Wellness Centre at Ripon Building for Staff

Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner G S Sameeran opened a dedicated mental health wellness centre at Ripon Building on Wednesday, extending specialised psychological support services to more than 20,000 civic employees. The facility, named ‘Mind Mantra’, has been set up to address the emotional well-being of the civic workforce and actively tackle the stigma associated with seeking mental health support.

The wellness centre is a collaborative initiative established by the Greater Chennai Corporation in partnership with the Credai Chennai Foundation and the Dhruthi Trust. By creating this focused facility within Ripon Building, the initiative seeks to promote emotional resilience among corporation staff and encourage personnel to seek professional assistance when dealing with stress and psychological concerns.

Speaking on the initiative, GCC City Health Officer Jagadeesan explained that the centre aims to help employees effectively cope with work pressure. Civic workers across various departments and administrative zones encounter significant day-to-day strain, and the facility has been introduced as an accessible resource to help them manage workplace stress and maintain mental well-being.

To facilitate access to services, Dhruthi Trust has introduced a dedicated telephone helpline for corporation personnel. Employees seeking support can dial +91 80314 51918, which is available between 5 pm and 11 pm. Jaya Venkatesh, programme coordinator of Dhruthi Trust, stated that employees stationed across all GCC zones and departments can reach out through this line to book appointments.

The facility will offer free mental health counselling conducted directly by qualified psychologists and counsellors from the non-governmental organisation. These counselling sessions will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On the remaining days of the week, a coordinator team will be stationed at the centre to assist staff members and manage scheduling.

Through the opening of Mind Mantra, the civic body and its partner organisations aim to foster a supportive environment across civic offices, encouraging employees to prioritize their mental health and seek timely professional care.