In this insightful episode, Niharika Hiremath OAM, a first-generation immigrant and mental health professional, joins the podcast to share her unique perspective on growing up in Australia after leaving India at a young age.
Niharika discusses her lived experiences as a third culture kid, the challenges and conflicts of navigating multiple identities, and her openness about mental health struggles. She emphasizes the importance of cultural humility, self-awareness, and the intricate connection between identity and mental well-being. Niharika provides professional insights into intentional peer support and underscores the need for inclusive and culturally responsive mental health services in Australia.
This episode is filled with valuable advice for both mental health professionals and individuals from multicultural backgrounds.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast
00:33 – Meet Niharika Hiremath
01:26 – Niharika’s Early Life in India
02:53 – Migrating to New Zealand and Australia
04:46 – Growing Up as a Third Culture Kid
06:34 – Identity Conflicts and Emotional Expression
08:21 – Sharing Mental Health Struggles
11:16 – Intersectionality and Mental Health
18:36 – Creating Inclusive Mental Health Services
25:20 – Cultural Humility in Practice
30:15 – Introduction to Intentional Peer Support (IPS)
34:07 – Niharika’s Purpose and Advice to Migrants
46:09 – Final Reflections and Recommendations
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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!
If our guest’s story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.
I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!
This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.
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Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit Australian podcast network sharing real stories of resilience, disability, and transformation.
Named after the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold — the philosophy that what’s been broken can become more beautiful for the mending — every episode honours the cracks, the rebuild, and the human underneath.
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– Golden Threads — stories of disability & resilience | hosted by Dan Dougherty
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