Nisha Nanda

Meet Ms. Nisha Nanda, a RCI Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Sehyog.

She has been currently working in Amritsar Neuropsychiatric and De-addiction hospital, Amritsar Punjab as a clinical psychologist.

During her interview with MS Venture, Ms. Nanda shares how she decided to enter this profession-“ For several years, many people, including my patients, have asked me why I chose psychology as a career. I would simply smile and say that I chose to heal people. However, I've never shared the exact reason with anyone, perhaps because I was still learning to fight the stigma surrounding mental health. But today feels like the right moment to share. As a child, around 7 or 8 years old in 2002, I remember often finding myself outside a hospital late at night. One night, it was pouring rain, and I sat in the backseat of a car outside a hospital in New Delhi with a jar of fresh orange juice, trying to understand why I was there. This routine continued for days and weeks. As a young child, I wasn’t allowed inside the hospital, but not seeing my mother at home (since I was used to sleeping with her) left me feeling restless. I was often told that she had gone to her parents' house, but I always wondered who the fresh orange juice I brought every day was really for.

 Years later, as I grew up, I began to witness my mother screaming, shouting, and doubting people for no reason. One day, I came home from school, knocked on the door in the late afternoon, and when she answered, she asked me, "Who are you?" I cried and told her I was her daughter, but it took me three hours and showing her my ID card to convince her.

 The day she started doubting and hitting me because of her illness, I realized that the little 7- or 8-year-old girl had been taking fresh orange juice to her mother, who was then admitted to a psychiatric hospital and diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now, as a recovery patient, my mother and I still often sleep together.” She also shared the challenges she faces in this profession- “ Boredom is a completely normal emotion, much like excitement or sadness. I've noticed that many of my patients, especially those dealing with substance addiction, often relapse because of boredom. This feeling can cause distress and make them more prone to relapse. While there are ways to overcome boredom, it's essential first to recognize it as a natural emotion that can arise even on busy days or when there’s little to do. Understanding this can help prevent us from feeling overwhelmed.

 Burnout, especially during early adulthood, is another significant issue that often goes unnoticed. Many adult patients with anxiety, depression, or addiction are also suffering from burnout, although they may not realise it as a root cause. Burnout can occur even when you’re productive and meeting your responsibilities, leading to mental exhaustion, which is perfectly normal.

 My advice to young adults is to take a 20-minute break during the day, sit with a cup of coffee or a book in your favourite spot, and let others know not to disturb you. If you still feel the urge to rush through your break or worry about pending tasks, you might be experiencing burnout.”

Miss Nisha also shared a glimpse of her NGO ‘ Sehyog’- “Recently, I started my own practice in Amritsar, Punjab. While thinking of a name for my clinic, the word "Sehyog" suddenly came to mind. Sehyog means "help," and offering help is one of the most beautiful experiences in life. I vividly remember, as a child, how quickly I would run—sometimes even without slippers—to seek help from neighbours when my parents argued. I recall how, when my mother wouldn’t eat for days due to her illness, I would approach everyone I could for help. When my mother was hospitalised, a caretaker was there around the clock to help my siblings and me get ready for school and prepare our lunches. A few years ago, when I began experiencing anxiety and panic attacks, I turned to my loved ones for help.

 I’m sharing these experiences to convey that the simple word "Sehyog" carries profound meaning for me. Our small acts of Sehyog can truly help someone sleep peacefully, smile, and believe that hope still exists.”

 

As a licensed RCI Clinical Psychologist trained at Government Mansik Hospital in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Nisha has received extensive training across a broad range of psychiatric disorders for all a

 groups, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Her expertise includes working with children, adults, and the geriatric population. She has gained experience in treating patients with psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, addiction, bipolar affective disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as sexual and marital issues. Additionally, she is trained to address intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and behavioural issues. Her heartfelt advice to today’s youngsters- “As a therapist, my key advice for teenagers is to take your mental health seriously. Don’t worry about whether others perceive the events causing you stress or your emotional responses as appropriate or normal. Mental health issues affect everyone differently; some may heal on their own, while others need help. It's important not to push yourself to the limit or feel pressured to always be strong. It’s okay to feel weak and ask for help. What’s not okay is forcing yourself to be strong to the point where your inner voice silently cries out, "I’m tired and want to give up." She became successful not only because of her hard work but , also because of her soft-heartedness towards others. Her kind heart and good deeds has helped many youngsters get motivated with her. She has motivated a number of people with her work. Her determination, dedication and constant thrust for achieving something the highest in life became the reasons for her successful life. She struggled with a lot of things before getting to where she is today.

We salute to her for becoming a role model for all the passionate women out there.

Best wishes from her side and she welcomes her clients to join her page.

 

The team of Ms venture wishes her best of luck for her future endeavours.