According to the World Health Organization, mental health is not just the absence of mental disorder; it is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to their community.
Yet, despite its importance, mental health is often overlooked or dismissed. It's crucial that we recognize the impact it can have on individuals and organizations alike.
Dr. Fabida Aria is a psychiatrist involved in numerous international projects. Find out more about her inspiring career!
Hello my name is Fabida Aria. I work as a consultant psychiatrist and medical director. I work for the National health service in the UK, and am presently working at Birmingham and Solihulll Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
My mission
I feel lucky to have both a clinical and a management role. This is new as I can help people and families at an individual level, and also work strategically with other partners in the system to help improve population mental health.
Psychiatrists help people with mental health problems, they need to develop a trusting relationship so people can tell them about the most difficult aspects of their thoughts and feelings. They have to listen, analyze, clarify and work worth individual and together consider all the options to help them.
No two people are the same, and this makes it even more important to always ensure we are doing what is best for the person.
Usually a week includes seeing patients and their families or friends either in their homes, the hospital where they are referred, the ward if they are admitted or the clinic. Working with colleagues from other professions together in what we call a multidisciplinary team. Some examples are other doctors at various levels of experience and training, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, health care assistants, psychotherapists, managers, students etc. We also attend meetings.
Helping to make a difference to improve the patient's life is the biggest gift a psychiatrist can achieve. I have learned so much from my patients and their families, and have been humbled and at times even cried to see their pain and their ability to overcome so much.
My patients have called me their friend, someone who they can trust, and all these mean so much to me.
I was very honored to win the prize of "Psychiatrist of the year " in 2023 from the Toyak colllege of psychiatrists.
A huge congratulations to Dr Fabida Aria, who was awarded Psychiatrist of the Year and Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, who was awarded Specialty Doctor/ Associate Specialist of the Year at the RCPsych Awards 2023. From bsmhft.nhs.uk
My background
I always loved helping people, and being a doctor helped both have the intellectual stimulation and connecting with people aspect, which was perfect. You continuously learn and want to so that you can offer more and more for your patients. A psychiatrist has to be first a doctor and then train further in psychiatry so they learn a lot more about it and develop their expertise.
I also wanted to be a voice for many people who could not share their feelings, due to the stigma associated with mental illness. I also saw a friend who was very ill and then helped her get better by supporting her to get help, and I knew I would love the job.
A psychiatrist has to be first a doctor and then train further in psychiatry so they learn a lot more about it and develop their expertise.
Women in psychiatry
Psychiatrists too have faced stigma like the patients, and it used to be considered not a great career choice. I am glad to say this has changed a lot, and we are hugely valued nowadays compared to before. The world is realizing more and more the importance of mental health and the impact of poor mental health on society and the economy. In this digital world connections are not as before, loneliness has increased and the need for all of us to advocate good mental health is so important too.
Women have had their fair challenges in my field as most other fields, especially me being a woman of color, has its extra challenges. That has not stopped me following my passion to be a great psychiatrist, and also given me skills and experiences to help deliver the care that I otherwise would not have. I am the executive sponsor for the women’s staff network in my trust, and this is a place where discuss various challenges and plan solutions to overcome them. I am pleased to say we have many eminent female psychiatrists today and hope to see many more in the future !
Women have had their fair challenges in my field as most other fields
Outside of work
As a child, I attended a group to befriend people with learning. Difficulties and realized how different they were from me. I felt there is a huge need for the so-called able people to help them, and saw them as special people. I volunteered later on too, one such example is whilst at medical school joined a charity to befriend older people and learnt so much from their life stories.
Furthermore, I always loved sport and was a volunteer for the London 2012 Olympics as a team leader in the press operations team. This was an amazing experience and I got to see a lot of sport and work alongside 70,000 amazing volunteers too! I am the executive member of a charity called the British Indian psychiatry association. I ah either roles in the Royal college of psychiatrists and I help recruit doctors from around the world and also chair a special interest group on transcultural psychiatry so that we can share and improve expertise of mental health care across the world.
I make sure I eat healthy, walk regularly, exercise. Likewise, I know if I don’t look after myself, I cannot give my best. My job is to help reduce suffering and pain, and I can do best when I am at my best.
Role model My parents and my children are all my role models, they have each had real challenges in their lives and overcome them with courage and sheer perseverance, and they keep me going. |
Some advice
I would say not to worry about any choice and not to doubt yourself when your inner self tells you what will make you happy. Nothing is fixed, and you always have the ability to add, change or start something, no matter where you are. There is also no fixed career, and you can do more than one or two or three things. It’s also important to speak up when you need help and support, and it’s ok not to be ok sometimes.
I have lived in three countries and learnt a lot about different cultures, and this has hugely helped my understanding of why people can react and express differently to situations. Everything in life is a lesson to improve and move forward to, in my view, even the difficult times are all a part of growing as a person.
Believe in yourself, and together we can all make the world a better place.
Always be curious to understand why situations and are how they are, no question is a silly question and share your ideas! Believe in yourself, and together we can all make the world a better place.
Édité par Mazzarine D. et Carolina C.
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Instagram: @fabidaaria
Twitter: @Fabida3
Fabida Aria: navigating in the Maze of Mental Health
