IEC – Institute for Exceptional Children, Mumbai

The Need

Why Child & Adolescent
Mental Health Matters

A child's mental health shapes how they learn, build relationships, see themselves and the world. Yet, across India, a growing number of children and adolescents navigate emotional, behavioural, and learning challenges — often without the support they need.

1 in 7

adolescents in India

experiences a mental health condition — UNICEF India Report

50%

of mental health concerns

begin before the age of 14. Early support changes everything.

When concerns are left unaddressed, they impact:

Academic Performance Self-Esteem & Identity Family Relationships Long-Term Mental Health Life Outcomes

Mental health care cannot begin late. It must begin early, preventively, and within the systems children grow in — their families, schools, and communities.

"Mental health in childhood is not a phase — it is the foundation of a lifetime."

That's why preventive mental health care must work with children and the people around them — before concerns become crises.

Years of
Impact

Who We Are

Institute for
Exceptional Children

The Institute for Exceptional Children (IEC) is a Mumbai-based non-profit dedicated to advancing the mental health and well-being of children, adolescents, and families. Founded in 1979 by Mrs. Esther Dubey, IEC emerged from a sustained commitment to addressing the mental health needs of children at a time when these concerns received limited attention in India.

Over the years, IEC has grown into a community-rooted organisation that places children and young people at the centre of its work, while actively strengthening the families, schools, and communities that shape their lives. We have reached over 1,50,000 people in Mumbai and suburbs.

Vision

To create a society where communities are empowered to prevent and manage mental health concerns, ensuring inclusion and social acceptance for all.

Mission

We address mental health concerns of children, adolescents, adults and families through early interventions, student-centric programmes, parenting workshops, counselling and community capacity building.

See Our Work

How We Work

IEC Model of
Service Delivery

IEC's work is grounded in a child and family-centred approach, addressing mental health across three interconnected levels.

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Individuals

Ensuring accessible and timely care by providing counselling, assessments, and psychosocial support across clinical, educational, and community settings.

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Support Systems

Equipping the people in a child's life — through workshops, guidance, and training — with the knowledge, skills, and emotional capacity to provide consistent support.

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Communities

Building awareness, reducing stigma, and strengthening community-based support systems so that children and families can thrive in safe and understanding environments.

IEC Centre, Mumbai

Provides direct mental health services for children, adolescents, and families, including counselling, assessments, and psychiatric care both in-person and online

Happy Schools Project

Engaging all five channels of transformation — students, parents, teachers, support staff and management — to create emotionally safe and inclusive school environments.

Swatah Sampoorna Swasthya

Weaving together families, educators, and community networks to nurture mental well-being as a natural part of daily life. We sustain this spirit through Community OPDs that bring professional support directly into the neighborhood, ensuring that complete health is always within reach where children live and grow.

Our Services

Three Pathways to
Mental Wellbeing

Three interconnected pathways to mental health — in schools, in communities, and for individuals and families.

CAC

Child, Adolescent & Family Counselling

Supporting children, adolescents, and families through evidence-based diagnosis and treatment — with a preventive lens and subsidised rates for those who cannot afford care.

Individual Counselling for Children, Adults
Parent Consultations & Family Therapy
Remedial Education
Group Counselling & Arts-Based Therapy
Psychological Assessments (Intelligence, Personality, Neuropsychological, Learning difficulties)
Psychiatric Consultations
Parent Support Group & Couples Counselling

EMH

Educational Institutions Mental Health

Building positive school climates so students can live well-adjusted, positive lives — through teacher training, parent guidance, and school-wide well-being programmes adapting the WHO whole-school model.

Individual & Group Counselling for Students
Life Skills Education
Screening for Learning Difficulties & Remedial Education
Vocational Testing & Guidance
Parent Workshops & Family Consultations
Professional Development for Teachers
Mental Health Awareness Sessions
Training for Balwadi & Preschool Teachers

CMH

Community Mental Health

Embedding mental health within existing efforts in livelihoods, education, health, and sustainability — keeping children's rights and developmental needs central to social change.

Workshops with Parents, Young Girls, Boys & Vulnerable Groups
Trainings for NGO Staff, ASHA & Community Health Volunteers
Anganwadi & ICDS Worker Trainings
Mental Health Awareness for Community Workers
Health Kiosks for Child & Family Mental Health
OPD Clinics at Community NGO Centres

Our People

Leadership
Team

Clinical & Executive Director

Mrs. Jasmine Khattar

With over four decades of experience working with children, adults and families, Jasmine's work has been rooted in marriage and family counselling, emotional skills development, and supporting individuals in navigating personal and professional challenges with greater clarity and resilience. Previously, she has engaged with a range of organisations including Johnson & Johnson, Aditya Birla World Academy, Rangoonwala Foundation (India) Trust, and J.B. Petit High School, bringing a thoughtful and practice-based approach to mental health across settings. At IEC, Jasmine is the lead for operational management, financial management, legal compliances and clinical supervision.

LinkedIn Profile

Program Director

Dr. Trinjhna Khattar

Dr. Trinjhna Khattar renders psychotherapy and arts-based therapy in individual, family and group settings, supporting young people and adults through anxiety, depression, and relationship concerns, with an emphasis on reflective and context-sensitive care. Previously she has served as Assistant Professor at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Counsellor and Visiting Faculty at College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan and other. Her Doctoral Work in Social Psychology was supported by Indian Council of Social Science Research at University of Mumbai. She has also completed Diploma in Development Management from SPJIMR, and currently serves on the Board of Studies at the Department of Human Development, S.N.D.T University, Mumbai. At IEC, Dr. Trinjhna is the lead for partnerships, fundraising, communications and personnel management

LinkedIn Profile

Our Larger Family

Core Team

Clinical & programme leads across all verticals

Interns

From SP Jain, TISS, psychology colleges — matched by background to IEC's needs

Volunteers

Long-term volunteers joining of their own volition for 6+ months

Partner Experts

Counsellors, psychologists, and specialists from allied fields

Governance

Governing Council

Mr. P Venkatarman

Founder, Chief Running Evangelist — YouTooCanRun Sports Management P Ltd

Mr. Reuben Mistry

Co-founder & Group CEO — Native

Mr. Jaideep Singh Khattar

Co-founder and Partner — The Fort Circle, Advocates & Solicitors

Mr. Saifuddin A. Contractor

Accounting Professional

Mrs. Trupti Brahmania

Administrative Assistant — Jayant Printery LLP

Ms. Neha Sahu

Co-Founder & CEO — Launch Girls

Community & Outreach

Events &
Milestones

Community · All Ages

Mann Tarang Mela

Partner: Larsen & Toubro Public Charitable Trust (Project Swatah)

A large-scale community health mela in Tunga Village engaging 1,400+ residents through games, creative activities, and expert-led interactions to promote mental well-being as an essential part of overall health.

"Aisa aas paas hone se disturbance release hota hain." — AC, 36 years

Awareness · 3 Consecutive Years

Tata Mumbai Marathon Charity Corridor

Across three consecutive years, IEC engaged thousands at the Tata Mumbai Marathon using creative sloganeering and community participation to spark conversations on mental health.

Community · Well-being

Sanjeevani Event

Partner: Larsen & Toubro Public Charitable Trust (Project Swatah)

A community-focused event introducing practical tools for emotional well-being.

Fundraising · Corporate

Fund Raiser Music Event

A music fundraiser bringing together supporters, corporates, and community members.

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Health Screening Camp

Health Screening

Child Health Screening Camp

Screening camp focused on providing direct access to healthcare providers.

🌿

Adolescent Wellness

Health Screening

Adolescent Health Screening Camp

Dedicated screening for adolescents identifying physical, psychological, and educational needs.

Voices of Change

What People Are Saying

I've walked 40 sessions away from my anxiety and continue to move away, in leaps and bounds. It's been 10 months of intense psychotherapy. And I am happy and myself again. Thank you, IEC Mumbai, for hand-holding me through this.

Ms. Muffet — Adult Client, Anxiety

I used to feel helpless and was worried that my fear would make me seem weak. But this session helped me realise that having this feeling is not to be ashamed of and that many students might also be going through this.

Grade 9 Student

Mental health care services for adolescents is about equipping them with tools for life. Learning to navigate emotions, build healthy relationships, and develop resilience aren't just nice-to-have; they're essential for thriving in life, work, and everything in between.

Pooja Rao — Assistant Manager, Talent Acquisition

Ma'am here didn't take any money from me, took his sessions free of charge. The main focus is on his studies right now and he receives counselling. His sessions are every Wednesday. Ma'am has counselled me too.

Ms. J — Mother of 9-year-old, Referred for Attention Concerns

I use the breathing techniques you taught us. At home, when things get chaotic, I find a quiet corner and focus on my breath. It helps me concentrate and reduces distractions both at home and in class.

Chhaya — 6th Grade Student

Bahut achha laga hai, kuch sikhne ko mila hai... har ek parent ke liye kuch achha hai — har ek parent ko attend karna chahiye. (All parents must attend it.)

Ms. I — Participant, Community Parenting Workshop

Intern Voice

"This organisation is highly accepting of budding professionals, and gives them great scope to learn and grow. The team at IEC is very supportive. One key aspect that highlighted my internship was the internal training programme — different topics addressed were of great help. Each team member has something unique to offer."

Aditi Venkatraman — Intern

In Partnership

Those who walk with us

Over four decades, we have been privileged to collaborate with organisations that share our belief that mental health is healthcare.

Knowledge Hub

Resources & Publications

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For Children

Resources designed to help children understand and manage their emotions in age-appropriate ways.

📄 Lessons in Love Booklet
📄 All is Well Handout

👨‍👩‍👧

For Parents & Caregivers

Guides on parenting workshops, understanding child behaviour, and building supportive home environments.

📄 Parenting Talk Handout

🧑‍🏫

For Teachers

Tools and techniques for identifying student needs, classroom management, and creating inclusive learning environments.

📄You Matter booklet.pdf

Research & Publications

Publication

Tourette's Disorder — Clinical Article

Conference Poster

NIMHANS Poster Presented by IEC, 2023 →

Book Reference

Desousa Book — IEC Historical Records & Old Photos

Looking Ahead

Our Hopes & Dreams for the Year Ahead

Mental health IS healthcare. Our dream is to spread this message wider, deeper, and with more sustainable support — from state funding to grassroot women's groups.

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Empowering Women as Family Anchors

Training women from low-income communities in home remedies and mental health techniques — because a mentally well mother uplifts the entire family, preventing addiction, anger, and domestic violence.

🏥

Anganwadi & Health Worker TOTs

Training-of-trainers for frontline health workers and Anganwadi teachers so they can better support the communities they serve every day.

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Deeper Stakeholder Partnerships

Reaching more child and adolescent mental health stakeholders, parents, schools, and corporate wellness programmes — including BSES and others seeking staff training.

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Sustainable Funding

Pursuing CSR partnerships, state funding, and personal donor networks so our free and subsidised services can grow without compromise.

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Monitoring & Evaluation

A tighter M&E system so we can scale wisely — measuring real impact, not just numbers reached.

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Stronger Team & HR Policy

Investing in experienced, well-trained staff with in-house learning — and a clear HR policy for recruitment, performance, and growth.

Join Us

Get Involved

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Partner With Us

Educational institutions, corporate organisations, NGOs, or community groups — we'd love to discuss collaboration opportunities.

Write to Us

💼

Careers

Current vacancy: Administrative Assistant. Send your CV with the position title in the subject line.

Apply Now

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Volunteer & Intern

Mental health professionals, humanities students, and passionate individuals — we'd love to have you on board for any capacity.

Express Interest

💛

Donate Now

IEC is registered under the Societies Act and Charity Commission. All donations are eligible for tax benefits under 80G.

Bank Transfer

Please write to iecmumbai79@gmail.com for bank details and NEFT/UPI information. All donations are eligible for 80G tax benefits.

Nurturing minds,building lives.

Care

Contribute

Collaborate

Why Child & AdolescentMental Health Matters

When concerns are left unaddressed, they impact:

Institute forExceptional Children

IEC Model ofService Delivery