“Ph.D. Thesis Submitted – Making Lived Experiences Matter”
September 4, 2021
Ph.D. Thesis Submitted - A Journey of Making Lived Experiences Matter
At the age of 45, I've received a most precious birthday gift - the submission of my Ph.D. thesis. It's a reminder that dreams are ageless. I'll be defending my work on the 30th of November, and I humbly request your prayers for the occasion.
This incredible journey wouldn't have been possible without the support of a remarkable academic committee, to whom I'm profoundly grateful:
- Prof. Dr. M.B.M. Zweekhorst, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- Prof. Dr. D.M. Ndetei, University of Nairobi African Mental Health Foundation
- Prof. Dr. D.C. Henderson, Boston Medical Centre, Athena Institute
- Dr. A. Padmakar, Emergency Care and Recovery Centre at The Banyan
- Prof. Dr. B.N. Raveesh, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, India
- Prof. Dr. H.A. Verhoef, BETA
My acknowledgment section has been an emotional journey of its own, having had to reduce it from an initial 30 pages to a maximum of 6 pages. It's a testament to the incredible support and collaboration that has marked my academic and scientific journey.
I began with immense gratitude for my supervisor, guide, and mentor, Prof. Dr. Joske Bunders. Her ability to simplify complex concepts and her profound understanding made me fall in love with science. She became not just a scientific partner but an emotional anchor and life coach.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Elena Syurina, who patiently simplified complex theories and methodologies, guided me over three years. Vandana Gopikumar and Vaishnavi Jayakumar of The Banyan played vital roles in setting the foundations of my understanding of mental health.
I'm deeply thankful to the mothers who willingly shared their experiences, helping me write my thesis and giving life to their stories. My academic colleagues and the team at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam have been instrumental in this journey.
Special mentions go to Deborah Eade for her editing, Emmy De Wit for her insights, and Martina Valente for her guidance. To the Athena secretariaat team, you made this process smoother.
My heartfelt thanks go out to Astrid Udo, my dear school and college friends, the management and colleagues of Global Public School, and the BALM team. Katie M. Berggren allowed me to use her beautiful painting as the cover art for the thesis.
Last but not least, my family, my partner Sunu, my mother Girija Lal, and the entire Universe have played pivotal roles in this remarkable journey.
Thank you.
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