Kashika Dangri

I was raised in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where discussing mental health is taboo and people often rely on magico-religious treatments -- visiting babajis and tantriks -- because of the fear of being labelled "mad" or "weak." Growing up in this environment, I witnessed first-hand how silence and stigma prevent people from seeking the help they need.

My father, who ran a small shop, defied every cultural norm in Rajasthan to ensure I could pursue my education. I was born with a facial deformity that brought staring, exclusion, and teasing throughout my school years -- yet my father's unwavering support kept me going. He is my biggest strength.

When COVID-19 hit, my father's shop closed for four months. Income stopped but expenses continued. My family relied on savings and borrowing from relatives, and I contributed by freelancing. Through it all, I kept studying -- completing my Bachelor's in Psychology from IIS University and later relocating nearly two thousand miles to Mysuru for my Master's at JSSAHER.

These experiences shaped every choice I have made: my studies in clinical psychology, my research on self-harm and social response, my work with HIV-positive youth at Asha Kirana Hospital. I am a first-generation student, and I carry with me the knowledge that mental health care must address the whole person -- the silence, the stigma, the cultural context -- not just the symptoms.