The conversation about the future of health is shifting. It is no longer only about lifespan — the number of years lived — but about healthspan, the years lived in good physical, emotional, and cognitive health. The Global Longevity Study, conducted across 25 markets worldwide, underscores this shift, showing that mental wellbeing is inseparable from long-term resilience. As people aspire not just to live longer, but to live well, the role of mental health leaders has never been more vital.
At this intersection of science, wellbeing, and social change stands Prakriti Poddar, Global Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing at Roundglass. With more than two decades of work in mental health, she has consistently emphasized that wellbeing is not an accessory to longevity but its foundation. Her leadership has not only influenced global research on ageing but also transformed local communities through education, outreach, and innovative care models.
From Crisis Response to Global Recognition
Prakriti’s journey reflects how one leader’s initiatives can ripple outward into systemic change. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched Wellbeing Volunteers United, a network of 700 volunteers operating a free mental health helpline.
Her work has also shaped mental health education for the next generation. She designed the Peace Program curriculum, which has impacted more than 15,000 students at MIT-WPU since 2017 and earned her the recognition of Woman of the Year for Social Work from the National Women’s Parliament.
Most recently, she was honored as one of the “Women of Influence” by Business Journal, acknowledging her continued leadership in driving global awareness and reshaping how organizations and individuals integrate mental health into daily practice.
Wellbeing and Innovation in the Age of AI
Prakriti has also brought mental health into conversations traditionally dominated by technology and business. As a panelist at “Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI: Wellness & Resilience as the Roadmap to Success” she highlighted how resilience and wellbeing are not soft skills, but core enablers of sustainable success. Her perspective reframed the discussion: in an era defined by automation and acceleration, leaders must build structures that nurture human wellbeing to ensure innovation thrives.
This balance between technology and humanity also informs her role at Roundglass, where she drives strategy and content for the Roundglass Living app. The platform integrates neuroscience-based practices with wholistic approaches, from meditation and mindful movement to nutrition and music, offering users personalized pathways to better sleep, stress reduction, and deeper self-connection.
A Global Mission for Healthspan
Beyond organizational leadership, Prakriti has been a consistent voice in dismantling stigma and widening access to care. Her advocacy has reached more than 70,000 people across India, particularly women and girls, and her media presence has further amplified the message that mental health is central to societal wellbeing.
Her contributions to the Global Longevity Study highlight a crucial insight: that mental health is not only about crisis intervention but about daily practice, integrated into the way individuals, families, and institutions pursue longer and healthier lives.
The Road Ahead
The global conversation on healthspan is still evolving, but leaders like Prakriti Poddar are ensuring that mental wellbeing remains central to it. Through a blend of research, grassroots initiatives, and thought leadership, she demonstrates that longevity is not only a medical pursuit but a human one.
As she often reminds audiences, true progress will come when societies measure success not just by how long people live, but by how well they live — with resilience, balance, and purpose.
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