South Asian History Month
We first celebrated South Asian History Month in 2020 to celebrate, mark and honour South Asian cultures and histories – particularly the intertwined histories of the UK and South Asian communities – and how South Asian cultures are present throughout the UK.
We use South Asian History Month to celebrate the history, arts, culture and heritage of people with roots in the South Asian countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Our goal is to help people better understand the diversity of present-day Britain.
South Asian History Month 2023
Blog post: My journey from South Asian to UK practice, second motherhood, community and cultural differences
Dr Supriya Agarwal shares her own personal account of life in the UK since being recruited as an overseas doctor four years ago. She discusses the differences between mental health care in India and the UK and the challenges she has overcome along the way.
Blog post: Breaking barriers – The imperative of an innovative mindset for clinicians from a South Asian background
Dr Amit Chougule delves into the importance of developing an innovative mindset, the current barriers that hinder unconventional approaches, and how cultivating this mindset can greatly benefit clinicians in their careers and patient care.
Previous years
Blog post: Looking back, looking forwards
Former College President Professor Dinesh Bhugra CBE wrote a blog post to finish our celebrations of South Asian History Month.
Interview: Dr Saardia Muzaffar
We spoke to General Adult Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Saadia Muzaffar as part of our south Asian History Month celebrations. She spoke about being a South Asian psychiatrist, South Asian culture, and some of the struggles of being a psychiatrist from a South Asian background.
Webinar: Inequalities – through different lenses
In this special Free Members' Webinar for South Asian History Month 2022 – chaired by our Dean Dr Subodh Dave – we considered inequalities in the NHS through the lens of British Empire, how reducing stigma in South Asian communities can address health inequalities, and the impact of gender inequality on mental health in Sri Lanka.
Speakers included Dr Santosh Mudholkar and Dr Parvinder Shergill from the UK and Dr Sayuri Perera, who joined from Sri Lanka.
Interview: Dr Santosh Mudholkar
To celebrate South Asian History Month we spoke to Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Santosh Mudholkar, about what it's like to be a South Asian psychiatrist and some of the challenges, as well as South Asian culture.
In 2021 we hosted two free members events for South Asian History Month. The first: Systemic racism and how to tackle it, featured talks by a range of leading members of South Asian heritage. The second event: COVID – unity through adversity, talked about the impact and challenges of COVID-19 on South Asian doctors and clinicians in mental health trusts.
We also produced a podcast that discussed what it is like to have family living back in South Asia during the pandemic. A second podcast talked to Dr Santosh Mudholkar who explored the interaction between culture, music and the brain.
Additionally, we published two new blog posts (see below) that revealed personal narratives from South Asian psychiatrists, adding to the many blog posts we shared in 2020.
Videos
Dr Trudi Seneviratne talks about heritage, mental health and the importance of massage
Dr Ananta Dave speaks on careers, COVID and the South Asian Community
Podcasts
Facing COVID-19 in the South Asian community
We are joined by two wonderful psychiatrists Dr Shevonne Matheiken and Dr Poorna Nagasinghe for South Asian History Month. In this podcast we will be discussing what it's like to have family living back in South Asia during the pandemic, the effect of COVID on deprived communities and finding solace in singing.
Music, art and neuroscience
Dr Santosh Mudholkar explores thoughts on the interaction between culture, music and the brain. Historically, art and music have played a prominent role in South Asian culture in bringing people together and lifting mental wellbeing.
Gender disparity as a threat to the mental well-being of young Sri Lankan women
In this BJPsych International podcast hosts Sachin Shah and Hamilton Morrin discuss the article “Gender disparity as a threat to the mental well-being of young Sri Lankan women” from the November 2019 issue of the journal. They are joined by co-author of the article, Dr Miyuru Chandradasa. What gender disparities exist in Sri Lanka and how can this affect the mental health of women in the country?
Blog posts relating to South Asian History Month
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South Asian History Month: My journey from South Asian to UK practice, second motherhood, community and cultural differences
Dr Supriya Agarwal talks about the challenges of coming to work as a psychiatrist in the UK, and her experiences over the last four years.
Dr Supriya Agarwal -
South Asian History Month: Breaking barriers – The imperative of an innovative mindset for clinicians from a South Asian background
For South Asian History Month, Dr Amit Chougule delves into the importance of developing an innovative mindset and how cultivating this can greatly benefit clinicians in their careers and patient ...
Dr Amit Chougule -
South Asian History Month: Looking back, looking forwards
Former College President, Professor Dinesh Bhugra CBE, reflects on intersectionality and his own personal and professional journey in a post to celebrate South Asian History Month.
Professor Dinesh Bhugra -
South Asian History Month: Dr Fabida Aria
In our final blog post to celebrate South Asian History Month, we hear from Dr Fabida Aria who talks about her upbringing and the importance of never forgetting her roots....
Dr Fabida Aria -
South Asian History Month: Dr Mina Husain
In our second blog post to celebrate South Asian History Month, we hear from Dr Mina Husain who discusses her experiences growing up in four different countries and her work ...
Dr Mina Husain -
South Asian History Month: Serendipity, stigma and beyond
To mark the start of South Asian History Month, Dr Trudi Seneviratne (the College's Registrar) reflects on her early upbringing in Sri Lanka, remembers the work of Dr Anula Nikapota ...
Dr Trudi Seneviratne -
South Asian History Month: Professor Dinesh Bhugra
Former RCPsych President Professor Dinesh Bhugra reflects as our inaugural South Asian History Month draws to a close.
Professor Dinesh Bhugra -
South Asian History Month: Dr Raghunandan Gaind
Dr Raghunandan Gaind, Past-President and current Vice-President of the Indian Medical Association GB, and Patron of the Amritsar Doctors and Dentists Association, writes for South Asian History Month.
RCPsych Digital Team