Chennai, Sep 2 (IANS) Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner G.S. Sameeran inaugurated a mental health and wellness centre at the Ripon Buildings complex on Wednesday to provide professional counselling and emotional support to Corporation employees.

Named the Mind Mandira Wellness Centre, the facility has been established in the Revenue Department building at the Corporation headquarters. It is part of a comprehensive mental health initiative jointly launched by the Greater Chennai Corporation, CREDAI Chennai Foundation and Dhriti Foundation.

The programme is aimed at improving the mental and emotional well-being of Corporation officials and employees. It seeks to increase awareness about mental health, help staff understand and manage workplace stress, develop emotional resilience and encourage them to seek professional assistance at the appropriate time.

Employees seeking assistance can register directly at the centre or contact the Mind Mandira helpline at +91 80314 51918 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. In-person consultations with psychologists and trained counsellors will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The initiative was formally launched on August 10, 2026, as part of the Corporation’s efforts to create a healthier and more supportive working environment.

The opening of the dedicated wellness centre is the next phase of the programme, making structured mental health services more accessible to employees.

According to the Corporation, the centre will provide a safe and supportive space where employees can discuss personal or workplace-related concerns without hesitation. They will be able to receive professional counselling, learn practical techniques to manage stress and strengthen their ability to cope with emotional challenges.

The programme also seeks to address the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encourage employees to regard psychological well-being as an important part of their overall health. Timely counselling could help identify emotional distress at an early stage and prevent problems from adversely affecting employees’ professional and personal lives.

Corporation officials said the centre would play an important role in promoting a positive workplace culture while helping employees manage the pressures associated with public service. Awareness programmes and individual counselling sessions are expected to be organised as part of the initiative.

Joint Commissioner for Education K. Karpagam, Assistant Commissioner for Public Administration Uma Maheswari, Dhriti Foundation Managing Trustee and co-founder Suresh Arunachalam, Municipal Welfare Officer M. Jagadeesan and several Corporation officials attended the inauguration ceremony.

–IANS

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