A Fireside Chat with Aastha Kottary, a Mental Health Advocate and Podcast Host of Slow Down with Aastha - an award winning audio podcast for mental wellness discussions, self-growth, and emotional development. She is the Founder and Creative Director of Elevate - a homegrown brand that promotes Indian craftsmanship by combining spiritual jewellery with healing gemstones.IG: @slowdownwithaastha Podcast- Spotify: Slow Down with Aastha

01:15 Aastha's Introduction02:18 Neuro-coaching?18:00 Trauma, scope, and referrals20:00 Tools: challenging core beliefs22:00 Adverse Childhood Experiences -ACEs and Self-Stigma23:00 Aastha's lived experiences 28:00 Mind–body–spirit connection29:00 Buddhism and Power of Acceptance31:00 Starting the Podcast 37:00 India vs. Canada: Systems & History50:00 Dance and Expressive Arts in healing57:00 Collaborative Care Model: Support systems01:00:07 Thyroid, PCOS without Medicines

01:02:00 No support? Build community & Connect with resources

01:03:00 Community, Honesty and Boundaries01:04:00 World Mental Health Day GratitudeNeuro-coaching Aastha discussed her journey into neuro-coaching, explaining how it addresses self-limiting beliefs and negative thought patterns by exploring their roots in past experiences. She emphasized the importance of challenging these beliefs and using tools like understanding brain chemistry and circadian rhythms to empower individuals. Mental Health JourneysPower of Therapy and alternative approaches like meditation in recovery and how founding a podcast to help break the stigma around mental health in India served as a catharsis. Stigma exists in both India and Canada; the conversation around mental health is more open in Canada.Challenges in Mental Health CareHistorical and current issues surrounding mental health treatment in Canada, highlighting the systemic problems of isolation, coercion, and restraint in emergency units and hospitals. Intergenerational trauma caused by past atrocities against Indigenous peoples and those with mental health issues, noting the lack of proper funding and support for mental health care. Global Mental Health Awareness Ishaa shared her personal mental health journey, highlighting how dance and yoga played crucial roles in her recovery. She emphasized the importance of a collaborative and community approach to mental health care, rather than relying solely on biomedical treatments. Aastha discussed the differences in mental health perceptions between India and the UK, noting that while each country faces unique challenges, there are also global issues like work-life imbalance.

Support Networks Importance of support systems in mental health, highlighting how a strong support network can help individuals avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms like drugs and alcohol. Aastha shared her personal experience of receiving unwavering support from her family during challenging times, which helped her persist through therapy and medication trials. They emphasized that while professional help is valuable, support can also come from chosen family, friends, or even nature, and encouraged people without traditional support systems to seek help in various forms.

Role of social media in creating peer support groups and emphasized the importance of awareness and access to mental health resources. Ishaa advocated for the collaborative care model, emphasizing the need for authentic relationships and addressing early childhood trauma as part of prevention. Art and Expression for Mental HealthIshaa and Aastha discussed the importance of letting go of past burdens and the role of acceptance in mental health. They explored how various forms of art and expression, such as dance and journaling, can help release emotions and improve well-being. Ishaa expressed a passion for fostering community and honesty, while Aastha shared her journey of managing health issues through lifestyle changes and emotional expression.