COVID-19 exposed and exacerbated the mental toll of being a healthcare worker especially in low-resource settings in Asia. As we move toward a new normal, governments, hospitals and mental health experts are beginning to support the neglected community of health care workers, but many challenges are yet to be addressed.

Mental health and climate change are often discussed as crucial but separate issues. As extreme weather events become more frequent and impact communities, researchers in Asia are beginning to shed light on a phenomenon called climate anxiety.

Professor Vaidya and her team are advancing mental health research in India by studying the brain mechanisms contributing to mood disorders including depression.