Neha Yadav

I am an anthropologist with a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Delhi (2024). My academic training has focused on the intersections of culture, health, and society, with a particular interest in how cultural norms and social structures influence health-seeking behavior, perceptions of illness, and mental health outcomes. I am especially interested in exploring the role of family, community, and institutional systems in shaping cognitive and mental health and well-being among vulnerable groups.

Currently, I am working on an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-funded project at IHBAS, New Delhi. This project focuses on understanding mental health and suicide among students in institutes of higher education, with the aim of identifying risk factors, protective factors, and community-based strategies for prevention. My work involves both qualitative and quantitative methods and brings together insights from anthropology, psychiatry, and public health. Alongside this, I am also preparing review papers on suicide prevention models, media guidelines for suicide reporting, and the state of student mental health in India.

My research sits at the heart of the CHaI themes of culture, health, and illness. By examining how cultural values and family structures intersect with individual experiences of mental health, I aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of how illness is perceived, managed, and prevented in diverse contexts.

Through CHaI, I look forward to connecting with a global network of researchers and practitioners, sharing perspectives from India, and contributing to collaborative research that highlights culturally sensitive approaches to health and illness.

Beyond research, I enjoy reading, traveling, and engaging in community-based outreach initiatives that promote mental health awareness.

Email: neha08132@gmail.com

Affiliation: Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), New Delhi, India.