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Header image for the interview with Dr. Aninda Sidhana on The World's Mayor Experience podcast discussing mental health advocacy and survivor-led healing
Dr. Aninda Sidhana is a prominent Indian psychiatrist, psychosexual medicine specialist, and mental health advocate known for her transformative work on trauma, women's mental health, and survivor-led healing. She has gained significant recognition not only for her clinical expertise but also for her courageous transparency regarding her own life experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse.
In this powerful episode of The World's Mayor Experience , host Joshua T Berglan sits down with Dr. Sidhana for an unfiltered conversation about breaking silence, reclaiming power, and transforming personal pain into global purpose. This isn't just an interview—it's a collision of raw human experience with high-level mental health expertise.
"From golden crown to white gown, from red carpet to hospital corridors—gender-based violence spares no one. It does not have any caste, any socioeconomic trait. But still, people are hidden behind and the wounds are deeper, and nobody talks about it." — Dr. Aninda Sidhana
Video description: Joshua T Berglan interviews Dr. Aninda Sidhana about her journey as a psychiatrist who survived domestic abuse, her Mindweave framework for healing, and her global advocacy work for mental health and gender equality.
Podcast available on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and RSS.com
Dr. Aninda Sidhana holds an MD in Psychiatry with a Fellowship in Psychosexual Medicine, establishing herself as a leading voice in the intersection of mental health and sexual wellness. As a Global Goodwill Ambassador, she brings her expertise to international platforms advocating for human rights and mental health awareness.
Dr. Sidhana's clinical work centers on women's mental health, sexual wellness, and the critical intersection of physical and emotional health. She frequently discusses how sexual trauma, shame, and dissatisfaction can manifest as psychological disorders, bringing awareness to topics that remain taboo in many cultures.
Her approach follows the biopsychosocial-spiritual model, recognizing that mental health cannot be reduced to neurobiological changes alone. As she explains: "Biological changes happen, but psychology plays a very important role. The social support system matters—you cannot heal in an environment that is cutting you. And spiritual—once you find your why, you can make it anyhow."
Dr. Sidhana's courage and contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards:
Dr. Sidhana advocates for "Healing Justice" —a framework that centers survivor wisdom and trauma-integrated care. This philosophy recognizes that while medication is sometimes necessary, empathy and "listening ears" are equally vital for recovery.
"Survivor-led advocacy is much more important than any psychiatric treatment. With survivor-led advocacy, other people who are going through abuse know they are not alone. They have that empathy, and they get the power—'Yes, if she can rebuild, I can also.'" — Dr. Aninda Sidhana
Dr. Sidhana founded The Dignity Dialogues, an initiative designed to build healing systems for survivors through listening circles, storytelling, and media advocacy. Her core message resonates globally: "Speak with courage, heal with dignity, change the system. When survivors rise, it ignites a spark—and when men join as allies, change becomes unstoppable."
Dr. Sidhana developed the Mindweave framework as a structured approach to mental wellness and trauma recovery. Each letter represents a crucial step in the healing journey:
Master Your Thoughts
This isn't about control—it's about clarity. In a world of digital noise and gaslighting, mastering thoughts means reclaiming your power. "Don't give the steering wheel of your life or your happiness in anybody's hand," Dr. Sidhana advises.
Integrate Self-Care
Self-care as a boundary practice
, not a spa day. "A genius is one who knows when to stop. Takers don't have any limits—givers have to know when to stop." Setting boundaries becomes an act of self-love.
Nurture Your Network
"Healing is not a solo act. Keep your support system and nurture your connections. Sometimes a parked car conversation is like lifelong therapy—just 5 minutes with a friend, your burden goes away."
Develop Resilience
"Resilience isn't just bouncing back—it's bouncing forward
with purpose." This reframes endurance not as passive survival but active transformation. "The best revenge is massive success."
Dr. Sidhana's purpose is deeply influenced by her personal journey. She has openly shared her story of surviving two abusive marriages and miscarriages. Her transparency serves a greater purpose—breaking the silence that keeps millions trapped.
Coming from a family of psychiatrists—her father, mother, and sister all practice psychiatry—and with her first husband also being a psychiatrist, Dr. Sidhana embodies the paradox she often discusses: textbooks cannot teach about human relationships.
"Love made me not only blind, it was deaf and dumb also. The narcissist I lived with sold me the sweet dream but gave me the nightmare in the end. They are so charming—you can't even imagine. They look like the kindest soul in the world, except behind closed doors." — Dr. Aninda Sidhana
A solo trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights became a pivotal turning point in Dr. Sidhana's healing process. She uses the "Aurora" as a powerful metaphor for neurodiversity and the human mind:
"We spend so much money going out to watch the northern lights or rainbow, then why don't we embrace neurodiversity? These are also the colors of the mind. Even LGBT—they are also the colors of human sexuality, like northern lights. We have to accept and embrace that."
Central to Dr. Sidhana's advocacy is the understanding that ending gender-based violence requires engaging men as allies, not adversaries.
"Men of quality are never afraid of gender equality. A man who treats his wife like a princess is an example that he has been raised by a queen." — Dr. Aninda Sidhana
Dr. Sidhana passionately advocates for allowing men to be vulnerable: "The day men can cry will be normalized—things will change. Vulnerability is the true strength. Men suffer a lot in this society—too much pressure, responsibilities. The biggest lie a man says is 'I am fine.'"
Her dream is bold: "My dream is to see on the Times Square billboard: 'Men Can Cry.' The moment men start talking about equality, things will definitely change. It's not the battle of the sexes—it's about humanity."
Dr. Sidhana believes media shapes society: "I have been urging the filmmakers of India—bring back our chocolate boys so that things start changing, instead of the macho man you are showing nowadays in the movies."
As the clinical lead for Healcycle, Dr. Sidhana oversees an innovative health tech platform featuring an AI companion called Terra, represented as a jellyfish.
"AI can never replace human empathy and human touch," Dr. Sidhana clarifies. "But AI helps because no psychiatrist will be sitting at the clinic to listen to you at 2 AM when suicidal thoughts haunt you. A listening ear can turn life around."
The platform includes screening questionnaires that detect severe issues and refer users to Dr. Sidhana for professional treatment. Additionally, a "partner button" feature alerts partners when premenstrual syndrome is approaching—helping relationships through understanding hormonal cycles.
Dr. Sidhana emphasizes responsible AI use: "It should be health tech with heart. Everything has a double-edged sword. If we recognize AI as a tool and we are responsible adults with it, it's a miracle. But if we let it control our lives, we're missing out on the human experience."
As a specialist in psychosexual medicine, Dr. Sidhana addresses the rarely discussed sexual damage caused by domestic violence.
"The body feels like a battleground. Narcissists kill your soul, not only the body. Bruises are still visible, but the wounds are invisible and much deeper. Don't get into a relationship until you heal yourself—otherwise, you will bleed onto those who didn't cut you." — Dr. Aninda Sidhana
Her approach emphasizes safety, self-love, and professional help. She notes that both men and women experience performance anxiety and relationship difficulties after trauma, making psychosexual healing essential for complete recovery.
Dr. Sidhana is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, noting that abuse rates are significantly higher in the LGBTQ+ community compared to gender-based violence statistics.
"I'm a very big LGBT advocate. People go to the extent of asking if I'm a lesbian. I just say I'm a crazy who knows everybody has human rights. These are the colors of human sexuality, like northern lights—we have to embrace them."
Her advocacy aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on gender equality, quality education, good health and well-being, and reduced inequalities.
Dr. Sidhana frequently contributes to platforms including The Better India, World Pulse, and AboutHer, where she writes about:
She believes in the "Healing Power of the Pen" and regularly hosts a live Wednesday podcast show addressing mental health topics with compassion and directness.
Dr. Sidhana's ultimate dream is to become the He For She Ambassador for the United Nations. Her mission: engaging men as allies and carrying forward the legacy of her father and the Indian Psychiatric Society to keep the flag of mental health high globally.
"I believe ruin is a gift. Maybe the second marriage happened despite being so privileged—that was a higher calling from God to help other women. That day I got my purpose: to keep raising the flag of mental health high in every country." — Dr. Aninda Sidhana
Note: This transcript was computer-generated and may contain minor errors. The full interview runs approximately 55 minutes and 43 seconds.
For the complete word-for-word transcript of this powerful conversation, including detailed discussions on the Mindweave framework, psychosexual medicine insights, and Dr. Sidhana's personal healing journey, please listen to or watch the full episode above.
Key moments include:
Follow Dr. Sidhana's work and reach out for support:
📖 Article: Embracing the Rainbow of Neurodiversity 🌸 Healcycle - Women's Health Tech Platform 💼 LinkedIn Profile 📘 Facebook Page 📷 Instagram: @shrink_aninda 📷 Instagram: @healcycleIf this conversation moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Together, we can break the silence on gender-based violence and mental health stigma.
#MenCanCry #HealingJustice #SurvivorLedHealing #MindWeave
Blueprints for a Purposeful Tomorrow
