also thought i'd share my responses too:

• What’s helped you deal with cultural stigmas when reaching out for support and/or talking about mental health?

talking to others who were on similar boats. at the time i didn't know anyone in real life i could reach out to, but i stumbled across an instagram page called 'South Asian Therapists' and related to so much of their posts - it was the first time i didn't feel alone in my experience. it was validating to know that people who looked like me were also connecting with mental health services. also, talking to clinicians/psych's who understood or was willing to take time to understand my culture made it easier to talk about my childhood without feeling 'shame' or 'discomfort'. 

• Share a quote/piece of advice/story that’s been impactful in your recovery journey.

"the only people you should try and impress are 8-year old you and 80-year old you."

in the past i've been guilty of changing myself to 'fit in' better around certain people, and compare myself and wish i was someone else. but now i realise that this life is mine, and i need to do my best to make myself proud, not worry about what others expect.  

• What are some books/movies/tv shows/celebrity stories/any other type of CALD representation that’s helped you feel seen or inspired?

- Dil Dhadakne Do, 3 idiots, Taare zameen par and Dear Zindagi - they're bollywood films that touch on family issues, trauma and mental health. often Bollywood films don't talk about these topics due to stigmas around it, but these few films were ones that felt realistic to me. 

- Mo (Palestinian refugee in the US) is a tv show that touches on this too