STORY CREDITS

Writer: Vanajakshi B. H.

Photo: IITGN Photos

To a generation that is driven by an obsessive dependence on social media, if you ask what is the one malady everyone wants to get rid of, the answer will be simple – anxiety. A continuous preoccupation with others’ lives compounds one’s insecurities, triggering the possibilities of everything that one could be but is not. While social media has proved to be an important contributor to deteriorating mental health in individuals today, certain ailments preceded its existence. Despite being omnipresent, the survivors of mental health issues have always been looked at with suspicion, making their journey to recovery more difficult than usual. In this context, Prasannajeet Mane, an IIT Gandhinagar alumnus, stands as a beacon of hope, who transformed his personal battles with mental health into a mission to help others. As the founder and CEO of Cerina, a digital therapeutics company in the UK, Prasanna’s story is a powerful narrative of resilience, learning, and innovation.

A Challenging Beginning at IIT Gandhinagar

Prasanna, hailing from a small village in Satara, Maharashtra, entered IIT Gandhinagar in 2012 as a mechanical engineering undergraduate. Behind the academic façade, he grappled with undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), leading to multiple suicide attempts.

“Back then, I didn’t even know what OCD was. I blamed myself for everything, thinking it was my karma,” Prasanna recalls. A proper diagnosis and subsequent hospitalisation brought clarity. “Learning about mental health changed my philosophy. My struggles became the catalyst for reshaping my life and goals.”

IIT Gandhinagar, known for its supportive campus environment, played a pivotal role in his recovery. The professors and staff stood by him, offering encouragement as he navigated his journey to wellness.

From Campus to the Global Stage

After graduating in 2017, Prasanna joined the University of Reading as a researcher, exploring the intersection of autism and machine learning. It was during this period that his interest in mental health began to take root. A stint at the prestigious London Business School (LBS) further refined his entrepreneurial aspirations.

“At LBS, I learned to think beyond research. I built a leadership mindset and developed Cerina as a viable business proposition,” Prasanna shares. He also founded the Peer Support Group for Mental Well-Being, which educated students on addressing mental health personally and professionally.

Cerina: A Game-Changer in Mental Health

Launched in October 2020, Cerina stands out in the crowded market with its clinical rigor, evidence base, and its relentless focus on co-production. Registered with UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, it offers evidence-based therapy tailored to user needs. The app combines Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with advanced AI-powered algorithms to screen symptoms and provide self-guided therapy.

Cerina’s focus is on mental healthcare-providing organisations, with its most notable partnership being with the National Health Service (NHS), a publicly funded healthcare system in the UK.

Looking Ahead: India and Beyond

While Cerina is currently focused on the UK, Prasanna dreams of expanding to India. “Mental health awareness in India is still nascent. I’d love to bring Cerina to my home country and make a difference,” he says. Expanding globally, however, involves navigating regulatory challenges and engaging with stakeholders, a task he is well prepared for.

Life Beyond Cerina: Appointment on the Board of Directors and Trustees at Age International

Prasanna’s dedication extends to broader humanitarian efforts. Recently appointed to the Board of Directors and Trustees at Age International, he supports initiatives to assist older people worldwide. Age International is the international arm of Age UK, a c.$150m turnover organisation which brings together almost 120 years of shared history of working with and for older people.

A Message for IIT Gandhinagar

“IIT Gandhinagar played a pivotal role in building my fearless mindset, something for which I am forever in the institute’s debt. The unconditional support that the institute provided to me at multiple levels enabled me to nurture and grow by conquering my personal battles, beating the odds, and turning my weaknesses into strengths. I wholeheartedly love the institute and what it stands for.”