Hi, We are the Mental Health community who joined She For Change on 26th March Onboarding Event as part of the 1st cohort !!
We hope you get to know our community better and be a part of this diverse group of individuals to leap towards action š
Amritha Jacob (21), Kerala - Being a passionate advocate for mental health and gender justice I have always wondered how gender inequality has an impact on mental health and now I am in a quest to answer these questions scientifically. So far, I have conducted research on Intimate Partner Violence, Gender Roles, and Patriarchy. I am currently pursuing my post-graduation in Psychology at Banaras Hindu University and I aspire to be a Psychology researcher.
Payal Tandan Shrivastava (47), Pune - My journey into mental health began at the age of 40. A back to school story, due to a multitude of reasons. Whatever my reasons were, I know that it is what makes me happy. I love what I do, whether it is personal counselling, group sessions or psycho-educating workshops. I discovered the link between mental health and gender when I worked with Aks Foundation, Pune. An NGO that works in the field of gender-based violence. My journey continues with Somatic Experiencing, whereas a student and a recipient of the therapy, I realised what I wished to do, which is to start my private practice in the not so distant future.Ā Ā
Harleena Ghoshal (24), Maharashtra - I am an intersectional feminist and an LGBTQ+ ally. I am training to be a counselling psychologist with an inclination towards psychoanalysis and the psycho-dynamic approach. I believe in the importance of communities in providing psychosocial support to people with mental health concerns. I am interested in working with marginalized populations, women and gender minorities.Ā
Shazia SaleemĀ (42), Hyderabad - I hold a masterās degree in Psychology and Compassionate Integrity Training from UNESCO MGIEP with ten years of experience in counselling. I have been working in various international schools and hospitals as a Counselor.
Simran Brijwani (23), Mumbai - I am a trainee psychologist and freelance writer based in Bombay. I take interest in teaching, psychotherapy and research in the South Asian context. In addition, I am passionate about community work and have translated that passion by volunteering at non-profit organizations for seven years in the areas of health and education.Ā I aim to start working as an MHP under the supervision and train further to become trauma-informed.Ā
Surbhi Singhal (24), Delhi - I am a Research Scholar, currently working in the Department of Psychology, University of Delhi. I identify myself as a "Learner". I began my journey by exploring āMicrobial Behaviorā during my graduation years and since then, I have been amazed at how much I have learnt about āHuman Behaviorā. I was privileged to learn more about human psychology when I enrolled as a postgraduate student in Applied Psychology. My career interests combined with my aptitude in teaching and research led me to become a Research Scholar. My persistent goal in life is to seek knowledge, quench my intellectual thirst, impart this knowledge to others and contribute to the welfare of society through my doctoral research work. My current research interests encompass a blend of Personality, Developmental and Social Psychology. You will always find me observing people of all age groups, interacting with them about their family, childhood experiences, relationships, careers and ideologies, obsessing over their developmental challenges and analyzing their behavioural patterns.Ā
Tanvi Jajoria (25), Delhi - I am a Counseling Psychologist, practising for the past one year. I completed my Masters's in Applied Clinical Psychology from TISS Chennai in 2021. In my professional experience, I work from a trauma-informed lens with people suffering from anxiety, depression, relationship issues, childhood trauma etc.Ā I am also the Founder of The Artsy Cure, a mental health initiative. This year I plan to explore the mental health field more, the challenges faced by the general population in understanding the concept of mental health and in seeking professional help, as I wish to build something to resolve these issues.
Pallavi Pratibha (26), Ranchi - Iām a writer/researcher and keep a keen interest in caste, gender, sexuality, mental health and pedagogy. Iām particularly interested in psychology for two reasons. One is to be able to understand me and my mental health better. Another is that with my experience I have understood that mental healthcare cannot follow one universal template. Issues of people in the margin, either due to their gender, sexuality or caste cannot be fully understood. Even the experiences of people in the margins are not homogenous. Rethinking therapy and counselling is required for healing from inter-generational trauma. There is also a need to move from self-care to community care, as the former is individualistic and unaffordable for many.
Kritika Makkar (27), Delhi - Ā I am an expressive arts therapist and founder of Live Untangled. I am practising as a counselling psychologist and I seek peer supervision and therapy myself. I work with a trauma-informed lens and an eclectic approach which allows effective approaches like client centred therapy, narrative therapy, different modalities of expressive arts to support people around.
I aim to create an aware and sensitive community and to provide people with an emotionally safe space to connect, reflect and express. I also work in an NGO providing counselling to children at risk.Ā I am passionate about community work and creating safe spaces for people to connect, express and support.Ā I enjoy nature and small rituals like journaling, spiritual practice, listening to music and binge-watching.Ā
Sheena Kasana, (22), Delhi - Iām presently pursuing my post-graduation in Psychology (Psychosocial Clinical Studies) from Ambedkar University, Delhi. Iām interested in a wide array of subjects including Women's Empowerment, Caste, Gender, Public Policy, and Mental Health. My own experience of working with marginalized communities and my lived experiences have made me realize the importance of voicing injustices and holding our systems accountable. Iām passionate about exploring the intersections of Mental Health, Poverty, Caste, and Gender. In my spare time, I enjoy painting, writing, reading, making stop motion films, and learning new languages.
Aashi Sharma (20), Delhi - I am a 2nd-year student who is pursuing her bachelorās in Psychology honours from Ambedkar University, Delhi. My interest lies in reading and public speaking. My goal for the future is to become an I/O psychologist and explore my love of this domain of mental health while connecting with more and more individuals like you all.
Alekhya Sankara (26), Hyderabad - I have completed a masterās in Applied psychology and currently working as a psychologist in an educational setting. Iām trying to explore all the fields of psychology and understand how it works.Ā My interest lies in educating everyone (especially women)Ā about the importance of mental health. I also like to work on child sexual abuse and educate children and parents about it.Ā
Simran Gupta (26), Hyderabad - I am a counselling psychologist from Hyderabad. I began my journey with mental health 7 years back when I joined my college. I had a passion to get into the medical side of education but not being able to secure a seat got me introduced to psychology and since then I have not looked back. Now knowing how important mental health is, I look forward to putting in my best towards working in this field and being able to help others.Ā
Jahanvi (30), Ā Mumbai - Ā I am a freelance writer and researcher. My expertise lies in gender, mental health and public health. Previously, I have worked with newspapers, agencies and digital media. Post my master's, I worked with NGOs and as an independent research consultant. I am always looking out for ways to destigmatize mental illness and raise awareness about the same. I run a personal campaign on my Twitter and Instagram with the aim to create safe spaces!
Keshvi Mishra (18), Pune - Hi, I am Keshvi Mishra, currently studying Bachelor's in Liberal Arts in Pune with Psychology as my major, I am a creative person with a knack for dance and music, I also indulge in painting or doodling and my most favourite field in psychology is criminology, I have an interest in mysteries and investigations and love to find hidden answers to deep questions. I also love to write, be it stories or poems. I love to dig my hand in both, I can read about anything in this world, it doesn't matter if it is a novel or a piece of torn article from the newspaper. I am extremely grateful to be a part of this beautiful community that is working to improve mental health, something that I have always wished happened not only in this country but the entire global system and hope we all succeed in our goals personally as well community-related.
Join us for the community ?????
We are looking forward to meeting you all.