South Asian Heritage Month
We first celebrated South Asian History Month in July 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 now celebrate the more recognised South Asian Heritage Month (18 July to 17 August) in order to align ourselves with the wider national conversation around this event. We will use this month to celebrate the 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 2024
Blog post: Celebrating South Asian identities
Dr Amrit Sachar, the College's Joint Presidential Lead for Equity and Equality writes a blog post to conclude our celebrations of South Asian History Month.
Podcast: Tackling mental health challenges in South Asia
In this episode, we are joined by Dr Manoj Kumar, the RCPsych South Asian Chair, to discuss the mental health landscape in South Asia, with a focus on India.
Blog post: Challenging traditions – Navigating mental health stigma for South Asian youth in the UK
4th year medical student, Projit Kar, writes a blog post to celebrate this month.
Free members' webinar: 'Free to be me' – 4 July 2024
As part of our celebration, we held a free webinar for members.
Chaired by Dr Shahid Latif, the webinar featured a discussion of the journeys and learnings of doctors from different countries in South East Asia and their thoughts on this year’s theme: 'Free to be me'. The webinar was followed by a Q&A discussion.
We spoke to four doctors about their journey and some of the strategies or initiatives that the College or their organisations have used to support professionals/ psychiatrists from different cultural backgrounds.
Speakers
- India: Bhavna Chawda
- Pakistan: Aamer Malik
- Sri Lanka: Maheshi Wickramanayake
- Bangladesh: Suhana Ahmed
Previous years
Blog posts relating to South Asian Heritage Month
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Celebrating South Asian identities
Dr Amrit Sachar, the College's Joint Presidential Lead for Equity and Equality writes a blog post to conclude our celebrations of South Asian History Month.
-
South Asian History Month: Challenging traditions – Navigating mental health stigma for South Asian youth in the UK
4th year medical student, Projit Kar, writes a blog post to celebrate this year's 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