IPS Women Resilience Award 2024 · UN Next Generation Leader & SDG Goodwill Ambassador · News18 Icon of Rajasthan

Dr. AnindaSidhana

Scars to Stars — turning lived experience into healing for others.
Psychiatrist · Psychosexual Medicine Specialist · Women's Resilience Advocate · National President, WICCI Mental Health Council · Founder, The Dignity Dialogues

15+Years Clinical
UNSDG Ambassador
IPSResilience Award 2024
Affiliations
WICCI — National PresidentIndian Psychiatric SocietyIAPPIHBAS TrainedUN HeForSheMARD CollaboratorGwoman Media AmbassadorUSA Global TV®

The Story Behind the Work

Where Lived Experience Meets Clinical Mastery

Dr. Aninda Sidhana is a globally recognised psychiatrist with over 15 years of clinical and academic experience, trained at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) — one of India's apex neuropsychiatry centres. She holds dual experience across general hospital psychiatry and tertiary care, and serves as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in Rajasthan.

Her specialisations — Psychosexual Medicine, Marital Therapy, and CBT — are inseparable from her personal story. Having navigated domestic violence, emotional abuse, and trauma bonding herself, she transforms lived experience into clinical wisdom: the credential that cannot be awarded.

She founded The Dignity Dialogues to transform "scar stories" into narrative capital through cinematic storytelling and listening circles. As a UN SDG Goodwill Ambassador focused on SDG 5, she does not merely treat mental health — she reshapes the culture around it.

SIG Lab: AI-Augmented Collective Intelligence Fellow 2026 (1 of 24 Globally) IPS Women Resilience Award 2024 UN Next Generation Leader & SDG Goodwill Ambassador News18 Icon of Rajasthan LOANI — 100 Most Inspiring Women in the World Rex Karmaveer Chakra Bronze Woman of Substance 2022
"Mental health isn't a luxury; it's a necessity. People don't just need pills — they need a listening ear, empathy, and a safe space to rediscover their voice. Seeking help is not a sign of failure; it is the ultimate act of Strength."
— Dr. Aninda Sidhana, MD · Fellowship in Psychosexual Medicine

Primary Role

Asst. Professor of Psychiatry

Training

IHBAS Neuropsychiatry

Fellowship

Psychosexual Medicine

Based In

Rajasthan, India

UN Role

UN Next Gen Leader & SDG Ambassador

Available For

Media · Keynotes · Consultation

A Family Legacy

The Sidana Legacy in Psychiatry

Dr. Aninda Sidhana's commitment to the healing arts is rooted in family. She carries forward the lineage of Dr. Roop Chand Sidana — a venerable figure in Indian psychiatry whose career spans more than four decades of uninterrupted clinical practice and advocacy.

Entering the field in the early 1980s, Dr. Sidana evolved from an emerging practitioner into a senior leader who helped shape the modern mental-health landscape — moving the discipline from traditional institutionalised care toward integrated biological and social models. His influence reached beyond India, with academic contributions presented in Melbourne and Prague, and his career was crowned by the delivery of the prestigious Dr. N.N. Wig Oration at the IPS North Zone Conference in Chandigarh.

"Forty-three years of uninterrupted service — a blueprint of dedication for the next generation of mental-health professionals."
— In tribute to Dr. Roop Chand Sidana

Service

43 Years in Psychiatry

Honour

Dr. N.N. Wig Oration

Pillar I

Neuromodulation

Pillar II

Community Mental Health

Areas of Expertise

Six Pillars of Practice

01
Keynote · Media

Women's Resilience & Healing

The psychological journey of recovery from trauma — finding freedom through self-advocacy, evidence-based therapy, and embodied experience.

02
Awareness · Policy

Domestic Violence Awareness

Identifying subtle red flags — love bombing, narcissistic behaviours, emotional manipulation — and frameworks for survivor safety.

03
Clinical · Media

Psychosexual Wellness & Taboos

Addressing myths around sexuality, promoting open communication between partners, and integrating sexual health into well-being.

04
Clinical · Therapy

Marital & Relationship Therapy

Tools for improving communication, decoding emotional languages, resolving conflict, and rebuilding intimacy after rupture.

05
Advocacy · Education

Mental Health Stigma

Psychoeducation that normalises help-seeking and dismantles the fear surrounding psychiatric care in Indian society and beyond.

06
Gender · UN Policy

Gender-Sensitive Frameworks

How social pressures shape men's silence and women's impossible "balance" — and how to dismantle both through culture and policy.

Media Record & Speaking

A Voice That Moves the Room

Selected Engagements

01

USA Global TV® & Radio — "Iconic Women"

Psychosexual medicine and gender-based violence at the intersection

02

The Supreet Singh Show

Breaking the Silence: Mental Health, Sexual Wellness & Societal Taboos

03

IAWMH International Talk

Intimate Partner Violence Prevention as a Global Call to Action

04

Taaza Talks

Breaking Mental Health Stigma & Empowering Women in India

05

Mental Health Bytes Podcast — Co-host

Award-recognised series — men's emotional invisibility, trauma bonding, survivor recovery

06

The AboutHer Show

Psychosexual medicine and the gender dimension of GBV healing

07

World Suicide Prevention Day — Keynote & Toolkit

Delivered the primary evidence-based toolkit for youth mental health

Signature Initiative

The Dignity Dialogues

Transforming survivor "scar stories" into narrative capital through cinematic storytelling and listening circles.

Institutional Leadership

ANCIPS 2025 — Organiser

Key architect of the 76th Annual National Conference of the IPS — "Neurobiology of Illness to Wellness."

UN Mission

SDG 5 · HeForShe · MARD

Goodwill Ambassador for Gender Equality. Leads masculinity reform, dismantling "Raja Beta Syndrome."

Global Network

Gwoman Media Ambassador

Strategic voice empowering women across Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Intellectual Framework

The Dignity-Centred Model

In a landscape where psychiatry too often treats symptoms in isolation, Dr. Sidhana's approach draws from the global movement to unshackle mental health from rigid, Eurocentric frameworks. Her model integrates the biopsychosocial determinants of women's mental health — the psyche and the relational, cultural, and structural forces that shape it.

Unshackling Psychiatry. True national development is measured in the currency of human dignity, not industrial growth alone. For too long the conversation around psychiatric wellness has been trapped in silence, hidden behind closed doors. Dr. Sidhana's mandate transforms that silence into a national symphony through a triad of science, cinema, and soul — standardising survivor-centric clinical protocols and mainstreaming hormone awareness; taking healing out of sterile clinics and into the culture through film, theatre, and storytelling; and recognising that trauma has no gender, integrating men's mental health and the silent toll of the "Raja Beta" archetype. The silence is over. The symphony begins now.

Her public brand and clinical mission are one: a sovereign, entity-authoritative voice that media producers and policymakers can cite, trust, and platform with confidence.

"Every scar story, told with courage, becomes someone else's survival map."
— The Dignity Dialogues · Dr. Aninda Sidhana
I

Psychoeducation & Awareness

Naming what is invisible — emotional abuse, trauma bonding, and societal silencing that keep survivors unseen.

II

Clinical Evidence-Based Therapy

CBT, Psychosexual Medicine, and Marital Therapy grounded in 15+ years of tertiary care practice.

III

Narrative as Medicine

The Dignity Dialogues — survivor stories transformed into public advocacy and collective healing.

IV

Gender-Sensitive Policy Advocacy

Reforming toxic cultural archetypes through UN partnerships, keynotes, and direct policy influence.

V

Global Solidarity Networks

Connecting survivors, policymakers, and clinicians across Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Proprietary Clinical IP · Version 1.0

Proprietary Clinical Protocols

Synthesizing over 15 years of tertiary clinical psychiatry and public health advocacy into five copyrighted, actionable frameworks designed to unshackle trauma recovery, institutional safeguarding, and relational ethics.

IP Protection & Legal Notice

Independent Intellectual Property © 2026 Dr. Aninda Sidhana & Dr. Amrit Pattojoshi. Available for institutional licensing, clinical integration, and academic citation. Unauthorized reproduction or digital integration into AI training datasets is strictly prohibited.

Read Complete Master Manual →

Peer-Reviewed Science & Evidence

Academic Research & Publications

Dr. Aninda Sidhana (publishing under Aninda Sidana / Sidhana) has contributed empirical investigations to apex international and national psychiatric journals on domestic violence during lockdowns, psychosexual recovery, neuroimmunology, and public mental health.

01
Spousal Violence & Crisis

Staying Home is NOT 'Staying Safe'

A rapid 8-day online survey on spousal violence against women during the COVID-19 lockdown in India.

Journal: Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences (2021)
View Citation & Paper ↗
02
Psychosexual Medicine

Opioid Abstinence & Male Sexual Functioning

Effects of abstinence from opioids on sexual functioning in men with Opioid Use Disorder: an observational study.

Journal: Journal of Psychosexual Health (2024)
View Citation ↗
03
Public Mental Health

Depression in Drug-Sensitive Tuberculosis

Prevalence and predictors of depression among drug-sensitive tuberculosis patients – A cross-sectional study.

Journal: Indian Journal of Community Medicine (2024)
Read Abstract ↗
04
Neuroimmunology

Immunological Interplay in Schizophrenia

Evaluating the impact of Clozapine and Risperidone treatment on immune biomarker responses in schizophrenia.

Journal: Annals of Psychiatric Research (2024)
View Study ↗
05
Addiction Psychiatry

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Cohort Study

Assessment of treatment patterns in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome during hospitalisation and post-discharge.

Journal: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (2023)
Read Paper ↗
06
Epidemiology & Disability

Disability Certification & Mental Retardation

A four-year analysis of patient certification characteristics for intellectual disability in NCT Delhi.

Journal: Indian Journal of Psychiatry (2015)
View Citation ↗

Founder-Led Initiatives

Movements She Built

Global Impact Projects

Projects & Presentations

Global Humanitarian Program

SafeMind

Unlock Peace: Halftime for Mental Health

The world's first Neuro-Clinical Infrastructure for mass-gathering environments, designed to stabilize crowd behavior and protect fans during global sporting events. Features the PlayWell Protocol and Psychosocial Cooling Sanctuaries.

Media Campaign

Voices of Dignity

Breaking Stigma Through Media

A campaign aimed at dismantling mental health stigma in India by shifting narratives from shame to dignity. Leveraging cinematic storytelling as therapy to normalize lived experiences and accelerate cultural change.

UN SDG-3 Framework

Navigating the Silent Pandemic

AI-Enhanced Strategic Framework

An AI-enhanced strategic framework addressing the mental health workforce cliff and the rural digital floor in India. Focused on building community-led care models to bridge the 84.5% treatment gap.

Economic Resilience

FIFA 2026 Brain Capital

Economic Resilience and Mental Dignity

A global partnership shifting from marketing to governance through pre-emptive, on-the-ground neuro-resilience operations. Protecting global brain capital by funding dignity infrastructure and the "Dignity Dialogues" toolkit.

Podcasts & Audio Broadcasts

Listen to Conversations That Break the Silence

Browse featured podcast episodes below to read episode summaries directly on this portal. For full audio and video streaming, click the direct Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube routing buttons.

Featured Keynote & Video Interview

Watch Dr. Sidhana in Conversation

On mental health resilience, overcoming trauma, and breaking the silence around women's wellbeing — a window into the voice behind the work.

Watch Video on YouTube ▶️

🎙️ Featured Podcast Episodes & Interviews

The AboutHer Show Host: Sangeeta Relan

The Mind Unspoken — Women, Trauma & Taboo (S2 Ep 104)

Dr. Sidhana breaks down the psychological impact of spousal abuse, psychosexual healing, and building emotional resilience for women.

Spotify 🎧 Apple 🎙️ YouTube ▶️
The Guiding Voice (TGV) Host: Naveen Samala

Simplifying Psychiatry & Eradicating Stigma in India

A Hindi-language feature simplifying complex mental health topics, relational boundaries, and community support systems.

Spotify 🎧 Apple 🎙️ YouTube ▶️
World's Mayor Experience Host: Joshua T. Berglan

The Psychiatrist Who Survived: Narcissism & Abuse Recovery

An international conversation on surviving domestic violence, deconstructing toxic narcissism, and mobilizing men for gender justice.

Spotify 🎧 Apple 🎙️ YouTube ▶️
The Supreet Singh Show Host: Supreet Singh

Breaking Mental Health & Sexual Wellness Taboos

Addressing marital communication gaps, PMDD relational toolkits, psychosexual wellness myths, and toxic masculinity.

Spotify 🎧 Apple 🎙️ YouTube ▶️
CrownCast Host: First Lady Swinton

Global Perspectives on Mental Wellness & Human Transformation

Integrative healthcare, cultural empathy, and international survivor leadership with Hunnic Matinecock Tribal Nation leadership.

Spotify 🎧 Apple 🎙️ YouTube ▶️
PRERNA & Taaza Talks Special Feature

From Scars to Stars: Inspiring Change, Transforming Lives

Personal story of rebuilding life through solo travel to the Northern Lights and clinical psychiatry advocacy.

Spotify 🎧 Apple 🎙️ YouTube ▶️

Stream Full Podcast Episodes Across Platforms

Search for "Dr. Aninda Sidhana" on your preferred streaming app

Global Impact & Keynote

Cinema, Dignity & Sustainability

At the intersection of culture, education, and diplomatic innovation, Dr. Sidhana recently delivered a keynote presentation at the inauguration of the 129th Global Creative Batch by the Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) and Marwah Studios, aligned with The Jena Declaration.

Speaking on the theme of "Cinema & Dignity," she highlighted the profound potential of cinema to advance mental wellness, human dignity, and social healing. Her presentation drew upon her international framework, Cinema as Therapy, Cinema as Conscience.

The event celebrated the growing recognition of culture as the new sustainability, bringing together international dignitaries, filmmakers, and educators to empower the next generation of creative leaders.

"Cinema as emotion, dignity as direction, and culture as diplomacy — principles that will define the future of creative education and international cultural cooperation."
— Keynote ethos at AAFT Launch
Culture as Sustainability The Jena Declaration AAFT & Marwah Studios

Featured In

The Best Of — Press & Platforms

🎙️ Featured International Dialogue & Published Interview

Interviewer: Scott Douglas Jacobsen · Dialogue Panelists: Franca Borgia & Dr. Aninda Sidhana

Consciousness, Culture, Mind Metabolism & Mental Health

An extensive dialogue examining how inherited cultural paradigms shape individual cognition, trauma, and societal health. Franca Borgia (Venice-based artist, writer, speaker, founder of Venetian Forum 2026) presents ideas on collective paradigms, the "metabolism of the mind", root vocabulary, and double-spiral painting. Dr. Aninda Sidhana (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry; National Assistant Editor, IJPM) provides psychiatric insights on cultural conditioning, trauma, psychopathology, cognitive restructuring, and art’s therapeutic power.

Metabolism of the Mind Cognitive Restructuring & Art Venetian Forum 2026 Collaboration
🌐 Facebook Official Feature

Facebook · @aninda.sidana

Public Engagement & Mental Health Advocacy Perspective

Direct social media reflections on breaking silence around trauma, domestic violence awareness, and survivor resilience across India.

View Facebook Post →
★ Editorial Feature

The Better India

After 2 Abusive Marriages, How This Psychiatrist Found Freedom Under the Northern Lights

The full survivor-to-advocate profile — from enduring domestic violence to transforming pain into purpose and creating safe spaces for other women to heal.

Read the feature →
★ Expert Q&A

The Better India

The Questions Every Parent & Teacher Has About Suicide — Answered

A World Suicide Prevention Day toolkit for families, educators, and peers — evidence-based, empathetic guidance for protecting India's youth.

Read the Q&A →
✍ Authored Essay

MyndStories

Rising From the Ashes: A Journey of Resilience

A first-person essay in her own words — on recovery, post-traumatic growth, and reclaiming her voice after abuse.

Read the essay →
★ Award Recognition

FemTech World

Brain & Mental Health Innovators Shortlisted for Award

International recognition for her clinical leadership of HealCycle — monitoring hormone-axis markers, addressing PMDD, and integrating AI-assisted care.

Read the news →
★ Profile Feature

Live Wabi Sabi

Turning Scars Into Stars — Leading With Dignity & Resilience

A profile on her "Scars to Stars" journey, radical self-love, and the Kintsugi philosophy of repairing what's broken with gold.

Read the profile →
🎙 Interview

The Supreet Singh Show

Breaking the Silence: Mental Health, Sexual Wellness & Taboos

A long-form conversation on dismantling stigma around psychiatric care and psychosexual health in India.

Read & listen →

Honours & Recognition

Awards in Photographs

International Selection · August–September 2026

SIG Lab: AI-Augmented Collective Intelligence Fellow

Selected 1 of 24 Participants Globally

Selected for the fully sponsored SIG Lab: AI-Augmented Collective Intelligence, created and facilitated by Valerie Won Lee using the Social-Impact-Global methodology. The lab addresses the real-world global challenge connected to "No Peace Without Women" (petition initiated by Patricia Elias), bringing together members of WomenTech Network, G100, and World Citizen Artists to integrate diplomacy, technology, advocacy, creativity, and AI.

WomenTech Network G100 Partner World Citizen Artists No Peace Without Women
UN SDG Goodwill Ambassador
🌍award-un-sdg.jpg
United Nations

SDG Goodwill Ambassador

Next Generation Leader & Goodwill Ambassador for the Sustainable Development Goals, focused on SDG 5.

News18 Icon of Rajasthan
award-news18.jpg
News18

Icon of Rajasthan

State recognition for impact in psychiatry, advocacy, and public mental-health awareness.

LOANI 100 Most Inspiring Women in the World
🌸award-loani.jpg
LOANI

100 Most Inspiring Women in the World

Global honour recognising women leaders driving change across health, equity, and society.

Rex Karmaveer Chakra Bronze Medal
🎖️award-rex-karmaveer.jpg
REX · iCONGO

Rex Karmaveer Chakra — Bronze

National honour for social justice and citizen action, in partnership with the United Nations.

Woman of Substance Award 2022
💎award-woman-of-substance.jpg
2022

Woman of Substance Award

Recognition for sustained leadership and contribution to women's empowerment and wellbeing.

Writing, Essays & Newsletters

From the Blog

Dr. Aninda Sidhana writes extensively on Medium (@draninda30) and publishes The Dignity Dialogues newsletter on Substack (dranindasidhana.substack.com), blending clinical psychiatry with deep cultural critique and survivor empathy.

Join The Dignity Dialogues Newsletter

Receive weekly survivor reflections, psychoeducation, and relationship wellness guidance directly in your inbox.

In Their Words

What Colleagues & Leaders Say

It is a privilege and matter of great pride to recommend Dr. Aninda Sidhana — a psychiatrist, psychosexual medicine specialist, and a fierce advocate for mental health awareness, gender equality, and the rights of survivors of domestic violence. Her work is not only grounded in clinical expertise but also in profound personal courage and authenticity.

RS

Dr. Roop Sidana

Psychiatrist & Clinical Director · 40+ Years in Psychiatry

Congratulations for a fighter, determined to fight violence & protect human rights of all, especially women. Three cheers!

HS

Dr. Harish Shetty

Psychiatrist, Dr L. H. Hiranandani Hospital · Mentor

I have worked with Dr. Aninda on several cases together. She has a special touch when it comes to connecting with patients. Empathy, listening skills, keen knowledge — she brings them all.

SV

Shruti Varma

Psychologist (BACP) · Emotional Intelligence & Energy Therapist

Dr. Aninda Sidhana is not only an excellent psychiatrist but also a genuinely compassionate human being. Her commitment to social causes, particularly in areas such as gender-based violence and LGBTQ issues, sets her apart in the field of mental health. Her insightful blogs have been widely appreciated, making a positive impact within and beyond the mental health community.

SP

Dr. Sidhesh Phaldessai

Private Psychiatrist & Tech Innovator · MBBS, MD, MRCPsych, FRANZCP

She speaks with an authenticity that moves people and systems. Whether she's mentoring young professionals, blogging to break taboos, or advocating for redefining masculinity and equality, Dr. Sidhana brings together empathy and intellect in everything she does. Her voice is one the world urgently needs.

IP

Dr. Indu Prakash Singh

Gold Medalist · TEDx & Motivational Speaker · Poet · Author

I've known Dr. Aninda Sidhana since our post-graduation days, and it's been incredible to see how far she's come. She has turned her personal challenges into a powerful mission — becoming one of the strongest and most compassionate advocates for women's mental health. Dr. Aninda doesn't just treat patients — she empowers them to rebuild and rediscover themselves.

VW

Vidya Wade

Operations Leadership · Post-graduation Peer

I had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Aninda Sidhana on The Guiding Voice (TGV) Hindi podcast, and it was an absolute delight. Her passion for psychiatry and her ability to simplify complex mental health topics truly stood out. The response to her episode was overwhelmingly positive — a testament to her clarity, empathy, and expertise.

NS

Naveen Samala

Founder & Chief Host, The Guiding Voice (TGV)

I was struck by her clarity of thought, depth of compassion, and powerful sense of purpose. Dr. Aninda Sidhana is not just a renowned psychiatrist and psychosexual medicine specialist — she is a force for change. Her commitment to women's mental health, especially in areas often left unspoken, is both bold and necessary.

SR

Sangeeta Relan

Host, The AboutHer Show

I am honored to recommend Dr. Aninda Sidhana, a visionary leader whose work in integrative health, mental wellness, and human transformation stands at the cutting edge of modern healing. She brings a rare combination of clinical excellence, cultural sensitivity, and deep empathy — a true global advocate for compassionate care.

FS

First Lady Swinton

First Lady, Hunnic Matinecock Tribal Nation · Host, CrownCast

Dr. Aninda Sidhana is a rare gem in her field. It is exceptional to find someone with her elite credentials who remains so grounded, accessible, and selfless. Her dedication to serving others — rather than seeking status or personal gain — is a profound contribution to humanity.

JB

Joshua T. Berglan

Omni-Media Architect · Creator, Media Company in a Box

I highly recommend Dr. Sidhana for any Advisor or Media & Mental Health Consultant role. For production houses seeking to move beyond "shamans in white aprons" toward authentic, research-backed depictions of trauma, resilience, and human dignity, her voice is irrefutable. She scripts a Bharat that heals as it entertains.

AK

Asif Kabani

Sr. Fellow, UN · Executive Director, SDG Center, Geneva

Her deep expertise in women's mental health and psychosexual medicine, combined with her relentless commitment to education and advocacy, is truly commendable. She brings clarity, compassion, and tireless energy to every initiative. Proud to partner with someone who's creating real impact where it matters most.

MB

Manny Bains

Cinematic Documentary Filmmaker · Brand Storyteller

Verified recommendations received on LinkedIn

The Complete
Press Package

Everything a journalist, podcast host, conference organiser, or media booker needs — curated from Dr. Sidhana's full media kit, verified and ready to deploy.

Kit Includes

Full biography — short, mid, and long-form
High-resolution professional photography
Approved signature quote library
Topic menu for interviews & panels
Awards, credentials & affiliations sheet
Podcast intro script & suggested questions
Social media assets & brand guide
UN SDG & IPS affiliation documentation
Official Websitedranindasidhana.com

Get In Touch

Engage Dr. Sidhana

Whether you are a media producer, conference organiser, podcast host, or individual seeking a private consultation — Dr. Sidhana welcomes the conversation. Based in Rajasthan, India, available globally.

Professional Engagement Intake