Mental health care in India is often expensive and hard to access, but Ekta Prakash Sharma is working to change that. After seeing the emotional impact of the pandemic, she founded Humanising Lives in 2020 with one clear goal-to make therapy affordable and accessible for everyone.

In many cases, therapy can cost thousands every month, making it out of reach for many people. To solve this, her organisation introduced a pro bono model, where initial sessions are free. After that, therapy is offered at a minimal cost, so people can continue without financial stress.

The initiative also focuses on creating safe spaces for open conversations through community sessions, where people can share their feelings without fear of judgment.

What makes this effort more impactful is its reach. It supports LGBTQ+ individuals, prisoners, and trauma survivors, ensuring help reaches those who often go unnoticed.

Through this work, Ekta isn’t just providing therapy-she’s changing how people see mental health, making it more open, accessible, and human.