Navigating Identity and Mental Health in Immigrant Families

Growing up in an Indian family, Sahaj Kaur Kohli felt pressured to meet her parents’ high expectations for a “good Sikh girl”. Despite being a top student in high school, she battled depression, struggled to keep up in college and dropped out. She eventually went on to become a therapist, mental health advice columnist for the Washington Post, and founder of Brown Girl Therapy, an online community. Through her work, she saw how her experiences mirrored those of many other children of immigrants who feel obligated to succeed, maintain cultural norms, and repay their parents’ sacrifices. Kohli joins us to talk about her new book, “But What Will People Say?” that chronicles her journey and provides practical advice for navigating mental health.

Guests:

Sahaj Kohli, therapist; writer; speaker; and founder, Brown Girl Therapy; author of the book, "But What Will People Say? Navigating Mental Health, Identity, Love, and Family Between Cultures."

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