Dr. Anil Tambi has been pivotal in transforming attitudes toward mental health. With 32 years of experience in the field, he has tirelessly assisted individuals in overcoming mental health challenges, counselled patients, and imparted knowledge and wisdom to PG students.

Dr. Anil Tambi, a respected Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Sawai Man Singh Medical College & Hospital (SMS) in Jaipur, passionately shares his insights in psychology.

Dr. Anil explains that Psychology focuses on human behaviour. He believes that your habits, including how you think, react, and act, shape your future. According to him, your ideas trigger emotions, guiding your actions, and ultimately forming habits that influence your future.

Reflecting on societal taboos, Dr. Anil observes the lingering stigma surrounding mental health, which often deters patients from seeking help from psychiatrists. However, he is pleased to see gradual change as people now recognize the importance of mental well-being and seek help for issues such as insomnia, depression, anxiety and addictions, and behavioural issues. Dr. Tambi highlights the problem of hypochondria, where individuals with mental health issues unnecessarily consult multiple physicians, failing to receive proper diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Tambi underscores the definition of health by WHO: physical, social, mental, and spiritual. He explains that just as we have 'immunity' to combat physical health issues, we have 'resilience' to combat mental health issues. Skills to boost resilience are essential, and he warns that a lack of purpose and meaning in life can shorten one's lifespan by up to five years. Daily meditation is a key practice for mental health improvement.

Dr. Anil emphasises the concept of 'positive health,' advocating a focus on boosting immunity to protect against the adverse effects of poor health. He focuses on the power of resilience which requires bouncing back from challenges. Dr. Tambi talks about the ‘loneliness epidemic’  wherein a person feels alone even when they are surrounded by their own family members, which can lead to anxiety and even premature death. On that note, he urges people to cultivate social relationships and meditate regularly to keep their mental health in check.

Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Tambi shares that it allowed him to reconnect with his family and revisit his hobbies, bringing a positive shift in his busy life.

Dr. Anil admires influential figures from his institution and the medical fraternity. He also finds inspiration in the teachings of Buddha, Rishi Patanjali, and Vivekananda, who worked on mental well-being. Nature walks and conversations with friends are his cherished pastimes.

If given a chance to go back in time in a time machine, Dr. Anil would relive his medical college days, which he fondly remembers.

Advising aspiring psychiatrists, he stresses the importance of self-awareness, life planning, and purposeful direction.

Dr. Tambi's core message is to cherish values, principles, and health over material wealth. He distinguishes between types of happiness, advocating for the ultimate bliss found in a calm and serene state. He urges everyone to stay vigilant about both mental and physical health.

In the end, Dr. Anil says that one should also strive to enjoy the journey while moving towards their destination. He adds that the young also need to evaluate if their actions are driving them towards their goals or not. Dr. Anil says achieving success at the cost of your happiness, peace, and health is not worthwhile.