Women’s History Month Recap

Happy Women’s History Month! This past month has been dedicated to highlight the tremendous work that women have contributed to society. Their contributions help build a better functioning society, however rarely do we see Asian women and women of color justly represented and honored. We wanted to highlight our all-star team of multicultural women who are changing history as we speak in the field of culturally responsive mental health!

To kick things off, let’s meet Dr. Nhi-Ha Trinh! As a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, her work focuses on optimizing cultural sensitivity and humility in mental health care. 

Tell us about your journey building a successful career in mental health

NT: I will say, I tried to follow my passion and my conviction. I honestly believe that everyone deserves quality, culturally responsive mental health care, and I’ve tried to focus my career building on that. Really focusing on the Asian-American Pacific Islander community, which I feel comfortable and familiar with and is close to my heart. But also thinking about other marginalized populations as well.  

What drew you to work on culturally-responsive care? 

NT: Honestly it was my own experience as a Vietnamese-American woman growing up in this country, trying to find my own cultural identity, seeking a therapist who might understand where I’m coming from, and really knowing, believing in my heart, that we all deserve to be seen, valued, and heard. And that is really the core of culturally responsive care. 

What excites you about Anise Health and innovation in this space?

NT: The enthusiasm and the commitment of its founders and its startup team really a group of people, women leaders, who are committed to providing culturally responsive care to the AAPI communities and really thinking about the innovation of providing it virtually so that clients and families can access this care when it suits them, and really focusing on their needs. 

Next, let’s meet Dr. Ummul Kathawalla! As a licensed psychologist and postdoctoral researcher, she works on investigating how discrimination, life stress, and sociocultural contexts contribute to the development and persistence of identity development and wellbeing in minorities. 

Tell us about your journey building a successful career in mental health

UM: I became interested in a career in mental health while working in a research lab where I saw I could have a career in helping people change how they relate to their emotions. I chose to pursue a Ph.D. because I wanted to be involved in both research and clinical work. I relied on my values to help me make decisions on what paths to follow. 

What drew you to work on culturally-responsive care?

UM: As an identity researcher and a psychologist, I get to know people in a real way every day, and through these meaningful connections I can see a common thread of emotional expression, and I can also see the way that culture and our individual lens can impact our experience. This is what drew me to work with clients from an evidence based, culturally responsive, integrative, person-centered perspective.   

What excites you about Anise Health and innovation in this space?

UM: Anise is the first digital health startup focused on offering culturally adapted mental health care for Asian communities. And I appreciate how Anise Health continues to adapt their approach to address the mental health needs in the community. 

Last but not least, let’s meet Dr. Vrushali Gersappe! As a psychiatrist and a sleep specialist, she strongly believes that healing requires developing a sense of control over one’s illness. She strives to educate and empower her patients 

What drew you to work specifically on culturally-responsive care? 

VG: In my experience, having a shared cultural experience helps strengthen the therapeutic alliance I have with my clients. I am able to understand their pain points better and their mental health journey, and I have seen that this in itself proves to have a huge impact on their clinical outcomes.  

What excites you about Anise Health and innovation in this space?

VG: Anise Health is unique that way. Anise Health focuses on providing mental health coaching and therapy that is culturally sensitive. And this in itself can have a huge impact on clinical outcomes. 

Any advice to better take care of our mental health?

VG: Sleep deprivation often makes mental health symptoms worse. A tired brain always struggles to cope with anxiety, depression, and stress. The best way to prioritize one’s mental health is to aim to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep on a nightly basis. 

These women, and the work that they do, perfectly embody the definition of strong, capable, pioneers that are bringing to light culturally-responsive mental health care. Their accomplishments and services are ones that should be celebrated not just for a month, but every single day. And we are beyond happy and thankful to have them as a part of our Anise family! 

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