Dr. Aninda Sidhana is a leading psychiatrist specializing in women’s mental health and psychosexual medicine. With over a decade of experience in general hospital psychiatry and neuropsychiatry, she addresses critical issues such as stress management, sexual health, and gender-based mental health disparities. A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and mental health awareness, she actively writes, educates, and mentors future professionals.
Recognized with the Women of Substance Award and Women Resilience Award 2024, she also serves as a Goodwill Ambassador, advancing gender equality, healthcare access, and human rights under the UN SDGs.
“When women rise, we all rise together.”Expertise: Women’s Mental Health, Psychosexual Medicine, Marital Therapy, AddictionsCurrent Role: Assistant Professor, Dr. S.S. Tantia M.C.H. & Research CentreAffiliations: International Association of Women’s Mental Health, Guest Faculty at JSS Mysore, India.
--
Ishaa’s approach extrapolates her lived experiences in mental health and applies it to education, mental health advocacy and multidisciplinary arts. She aims to foster empathy, positivity, and self-awareness while sparking mental health discussions and reducing stigmas by creating safe spaces for stigmatized conversations in the AODA, Sunnybrook Patient and Family Advisory Committee(s). As a Member Artist of the Workman Arts Organization, she integrates dance therapy into the community for healing and expression by infusing Latin, Indian Classical and Folk styles as a facilitator.
In her Memoir ‘Finding Order in Disorder’ ; in lucid, simple prose, she addresses what it is like to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, how it affects interpersonal relationships, and how societal norms influence our understanding of and responses to mental health issues.
As a Research Associate of a York Master’s Thesis documentary project titled ‘Unfinished,’ she explores her journey in mental health vis-à-vis multidisciplinary arts. She is currently the Founder and CEO of the NGO titled: Finding Order in Disorder Foundation.
00:00 Introduction
00:03 Welcome & Guest Introduction
00:21 Dr. Sidhana’s Background & Work
03:00 Importance of Mental Health Awareness
03:10 The Need for Open Conversations
05:30 Challenges & Stigma in Mental Health
08:00 Women's Mental Health & Well-being08:15 Unique Challenges Faced by Women
10:40 Role of Education in Mental Health
12:30 Addressing Psychosexual Health
15:00 Overcoming Barriers to Mental Health Support
15:20 Cultural & Systemic Obstacles
17:45 Breaking the Silence on Women’s Mental Health
20:30 Encouraging Access to Mental Health Services
22:00 Role of Advocacy and Future Initiatives
22:15 The Impact of Dr. Sidhana’s Work
24:30 Importance of Mentorship & Spreading Awareness
26:40 Vision for the Future of Women’s Mental Health
28:00 Closing Remarks & Call to Action
28:20 Final Thoughts from Dr. Sidhana
29:15 Encouragement to Seek Mental Health Support
29:45 Closing Message & Gratitude
Concept & Host: Ishaa Vinod Chopra
Editing, Subtitles & Design: Tanvi Nerlekar