Psychiatry registrar and President of the Women’s Medical Society of New South Wales, Dr Ashna Basu is passionate about gender equity in health and championing women in medicine.
As a doctor and speaker, Dr Basu uses her position to advocate for gender equity as well as mental health, governance and policy, and sexual health. It’s seen her recognised with a number of awards, including the Australian Medical Association’s Women’s Health Award, as a 2022 Finalist for the Doctor in Training of the Year award, and as a 2023 Finalist for NSW Young Woman of the Year Award.
Outside of her work in psychiatry, Dr Basu engages in global advocacy as the Chair of the Young branch of the Medical Women’s International Association.
She wants other women to know that no matter what they believe is “normal”, if a health-related symptom is bothering you, don’t hestitate to get it checked out. As she explains below, gender inequity in healthcare has meant that many women have a skewed idea of what is and isn’t “normal”.
Dr Basu will be speaking at the the 2024 Women’s Health and Wellbeing Summit in Sydney on September 4. Below, she tells us what she wishes more women knew about their health and what she loves most about her work as psychiatry registrar.
What’s one key thing you’re working on right now that you’re really excited about?
I’m co-authoring a chapter in a UN global book series! The book is about gender in the global area, and I’ll be talking about gender and mental health! It’s a huge opportunity, and I’m excited to contribute.
Can you share a key thing you regularly do (or aspire to do more) that really supports your personal wellbeing?
I know Big Wellness will hate this, but it’s honestly the basics. At least eight hours of sleep, moving my body every day, lifting weights, eating three meals a day with a good protein content. I’ve also reflected on what recharges me, and I know that I absolutely must have a big giggle every day. Taskmaster UK gives me the guaranteed laughs I need.
What do you want more women to know about their health?
I think we have a totally skewed idea of what is and is not “normal”/expected. For example, people who menstruate are taught that intense pain and mood swings are an “expected” consequence of living with a uterus, which serves to dismiss these symptoms that can and should be addressed. If a symptom is troubling you and affecting your function/quality of life, then that needs to be explored.
What concerns you most about the state of gender equity and its impacts on women’s wellbeing and mental health?
In so many ways I’m buoyed by the progress we are seeing globally in so many domains – science, sport, media, arts, politics. However, I think there’s also been a backlash in response to this progress – we discussed this at UN CSW earlier this year. That troubles me, along with the rising rates of bias seen in young people.
What do you love most about your work as a psychiatry registrar?
It’s such a privilege to have people to trust me in their most vulnerable moments and I really appreciate how huge it can be when someone says “no one’s ever asked me this before” or “this is the first I’m talking about this”. Also, in psychiatry we’re lucky to see people get better! I get to see people go from the depths of psychosis to returning to work and life, from catatonia to laughing and enjoying themselves. It’s very rewarding.
Get tickets and find out more about the 2024 Women’s Health and Wellbeing Summit here.