In keeping with SAMHIN’s mission of greater dialogue on mental health in the South Asians and to highlight the important work of others in this area, we invited Gouri Banerjee PhD, Co-Founder and Member of the Advisory Committee of Saheli, to share information about the great work they are doing to help the South Asian [...]
When we are having issues with our spouse or child, many of us seek the comfort and advice of a trusted friend, family member, or religious leader. It often feels good to have this kind of help, as it is free of cost and brings us closer to the people we trust. However, there are [...]
Two seemingly unrelated aspects of our health - mental health and oral health, have an interesting cyclical and under-recognized connection: our mental health affects our oral health, and our oral health affects our mental health. Mental health can have serious consequences on oral health. Several studies have shown that individuals with depression are more likely [...]
This past year, we have suffered great losses due to COVID-19. Loss of life, ceasing of social interactions because of remote working/learning, and deteriorating health and cognitive ability in Covid-19 survivors have had significant ramifications on our general well-being. Many amongst us have experienced anticipatory anxiety and grief over losses looming on the horizon. This [...]
Physical fitness is often depicted as heavy weightlifting or intense cardio to help make your body fitter. What is often ignored is the impact that physical fitness can have on one’s mental health and well-being. Strengthening the mind can be just as important as strengthening the physical body. Physiologically, exercise enables the release of endorphins [...]
Phobia is defined as excessive fear of a specific situation, object or circumstance. A strong and persisting fear of one specific object or situation associated with other symptoms is referred to as “specific” phobia. When exposed to the feared object or situation, the person with specific phobia anticipates harm or fear far out of proportion [...]
We are at a time in life where very little is “normal.” Everyone is struggling in some capacity or another. The young adult age group is facing a unique challenge in that while they are more technologically connected, their fears and anxieties have led to social isolation. This has impacted their ability to establish themselves [...]
As young Indian girls, we all have a fantasy of love, marriage, and happiness. Indian societies, including our families, friends, media, and movies all reinforce these expectations. No one ever considers divorce as a possibility. Indian societies have viewed divorce as taboo for generations, and that taboo has carried over to the immigrant Indian community [...]
The beginning of every new academic year is always a stressful period for college students who face the pressures of performing well in classes, making new friends, and adjusting to living away from home. However, this year, college students are presented with an additional unique challenge - starting school amidst a global pandemic. Even though [...]
“Six months ago, I had an anxiety attack out of the blue when I was at work. I felt extremely nervous, my heart was pounding, my chest was hurting, I could not breathe, I was shaking, and I felt dizzy and weak. I was sweating, my stomach was hurting, I felt that I was having [...]
