Experts Address Cultural Challenges, Opportunities for Asian Indians

During APA’s 2023 Annual Meeting, the Indo-American Psychiatric Association is sponsoring a presidential session on the mental health challenges that Asian Indians face in this country, as well as those faced by Asian Indian psychiatrists. South Asians are a fast-growing minority population in the United States, and while there are many Asian Indian psychiatrists, there is still a paucity of resources to meet the mental health needs of Asian Indians. In addition, they are underrepresented in research.

The title of the session is “Indo-American Psychiatric Association and the Asian Indian: Trials, Victories and Opportunities.” Through individual presentations followed by a panel discussion, attendees will be able to reflect on the experiences and challenges of being Asian Indian in America, the wellness paradigm from an Asian Indian perspective, the provision of culturally informed care, and the factors influencing help-seeking or rejection behaviors.

Bhagirathy Sahasranaman, M.D., president of the Indo-American Psychiatric Association (IAPA), will begin by describing the IAPA’s origins and growth. In 1979, six psychiatrists of Indian origin envisioned an organization to address the professional interests of psychiatrists with Indian heritage, and it has grown to become a leading organization for psychiatrists in the United States. Tanuja Gandhi, M.D., will follow with a discussion on her experience of becoming an Asian Indian psychiatrist in this country. She hopes to spark a discussion about the challenges of being Asian Indian, a critical but often uncomfortable discussion.

Vani Rao, M.D., will examine the challenges, barriers, and opportunities to provide mental health treatment in Asian Indian communities. Mental health stigma and cultural beliefs can impact the understanding of and willingness to seek mental health treatment in Asian Indian communities. For this reason, it is important to examine the interplay between cultural and ethnic factors that affect their understanding of mental health and interactions with the mental health system.

Tarak Vasavada, M.D., will follow with a discussion of wellness from an Asian Indian perspective through yoga, meditation, and alternative medications. Using culturally informed practices is vital to increasing awareness, acceptance, and participation in treatment.

Ravi Chandra, M.D., will lead a panel discussion in which panelists and presenters will use their personal, professional, and cultural experiences to examine the barriers to accessing mental health care and ways to address some of the challenges experienced by Asian Indian psychiatrists and communities.

The session will conclude with a discussion about the resources and supports available for Asian Indian trainees for their personal and professional growth.

All psychiatrists are invited to attend this session, especially trainees and early career psychiatrists, and participate in stimulating discussions. ■