Dr. Zirak Marker - I’ve Recently Discovered and Realized That My Purpose and Meaning in Life Is “Touching People’s Lives” (Medical Director, Aditya Birla Integrated School)

Mental health had always intrigued me as I had experienced three deaths by suicide of people who I knew closely and who were very dear to me.  Also, my childhood wasn’t an easy one as I was terribly bullied and ostracised in my last three years of school which emotionally scarred me for years to come. I had no one to turn to in those days as there was no aspect of counseling or no awareness of mental health. 

1. Tell us about your upbringing, background, and journey?

I was born and brought up in Mumbai, India.  My uncle was a revered plastic surgeon & head of the department at the Breach Candy Hospital, Bombay Hospital, and Tata Memorial Hospital. He was my inspiration, mentor, and guide who paved the way for me through medical school and clinical practice. He and my parents inspired me to take this path. 

2. Why did you choose to be a doctor and decide what you specifically want to do?

I was so keen on becoming an Ophthalmologist that when all the openings came up for admission and I didn’t make the cut-off in terms of marks and percentages I was heartbroken and thus opted for Psychiatry as my second option. However when the program And training began, then there was no turning back. 

3. We salute your work during the pandemic, where did you get the inspiration to work so hard? How do you expect digital health to grow over the next 5 years?

Mental health had always intrigued me as I had experienced three deaths by suicide of people who I knew closely and who were very dear to me.  Also, my childhood wasn’t an easy one as I was terribly bullied and ostracised in my last three years of school which emotionally scarred me for years to come. I had no one to turn to in those days as there was no aspect of counseling or no awareness of mental health. Also, my mother was battling cancer at that time and it was a stressful environment at home too. 

However, I feel that’s what steered me towards specializing in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and I pursued my clinical training further at the Westchester Medical Centre, NYU. I also got trained as a 'Youth Mental Health First Aider' - Accredited by Mental Health First Aid ( MHFA) - Australia.

4. What are your concerns about Digital Health? Can you let us know anyone application of Digital Health in your country which has impressed you?

I have now had 19 years of clinical experience with educational psychology and guiding children with learning disabilities, developmental delays, autism, and emotional, behavioral, or psychological problems. 

I’m currently the Medical Director of The Aditya Birla Integrated School - which is inclusive for children with learning disabilities and psychological, emotional, or behavioral problems.  

The school has been ranked - First in Maharashtra and Mumbai; and First in India -by the Education World over the last 4 years. I’m Advisor and Senior Psychiatrist for Mpower- which is a holistic Centre of excellence, with a multi-disciplinary team of professionals providing services and therapeutic interventions for children, young people, and their families with ‘mental health concerns’ and ‘neuro-developmental disorders’. 

I have also conceptualized and helped develop ‘Minds Matter’ - a bespoke, research-based, holistic mental health curriculum for schools, from grades 1-12. In 2016 I authored a book - 'Parenting in the age of Anxiety' which is a unique publication covering topics such as bullying, abuse, adoption, academic stress,  disabilities, and death amongst other hard-hitting parental concerns. My second book published in 2021 - ‘Conversations That Matter ‘ - is about Fostering emotional well-being in children whilst talking about the hard stuff. 

This pandemic has made me realize and acknowledge the importance of digital health, telemedicine, and technology, especially for us as psychiatrists.  We don’t need an office space; clients save on travel time and traffic woes; they don’t need to take leave from their busy schedules at work or office, and clients or families from all over the world can access us and avail of our services.  

5. What is your message for aspiring doctors and the young generation?

Apart from being passionate about horse riding, painting, design, and a hill station called Matheran, my biggest inspiration and reason why I aspire to be a better version of myself and keep striving to be a better human being & parent - is my wife and my two beautiful children.  

I’ve also recently discovered and realized that my purpose and meaning in life is “touching people’s lives” and that’s what I keep hoping to achieve to the best of my abilities with passion, faith, and empathy. 

Dr. Zirak Marker - Medical Director of The Aditya Birla Integrated School | Advisor and Senior Psychiatrist  for Mpower

Interviewed By: Nishad Kinhikar

This interview is sponsored by Plus91 Technologies, a leading Digital Health firm.