dr_anusha_kassan

Mental Health Monday // Some seasons are meant for carrying…

Burnout is often framed as a signal that we need to stop. But sometimes life does not afford us that option.

As I reflect on how run down I feel today, I find myself thinking less about balance and more about sustainability.

Not every season is meant for rest. Some seasons are meant for carrying… The challenge is figuring out how to carry what matters without losing myself in the process.

That is the work I am navigating right now - and on the plus side, my week is filled with many scholarly activities that I enjoy! (I just took on too many 🫠)

Mental Health Monday // A little conferencing that was good for the soul ❣️

Mental Health Monday // See you next week ✌🏽

Mental Health Monday //

To truly support clients in meaningful and lasting change, we must also transform psychology training programs and the institutions in which they are embedded.

While many efforts centred on equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization risk becoming performative, meaningful systemic and structural change is necessary if we want to move beyond helping people merely cope and survive - toward helping individuals and communities thrive and flourish 🌸

Mental Health Monday // An extra day can feel like pressure to do something extraordinary, but today, the gift of time is enough…

It was a slower morning and now I get to do a bit of everything: 
- Catching up on light administrative tasks.
- Juggling laundry and dusting and cooking.
- Creating space for the week ahead.

Not every form of productivity needs to be exhausting to be meaningful. Sometimes, easing future stress is its own form of self-care.

Have a great day 💫

Mental Health Monday // There were a hundred things I could have done this morning. Emails to answer. Work to catch up on. Tasks waiting for me.

But today, I chose to put myself first — trusting that my future self will thank my current self for slowing down, breathing deeply, and remembering that rest and wellbeing are productive too 💪🏽

Now, back to work 🤓😅

Mental Health Monday // This is one of the most personal articles I have ever written, and it highlights many paradoxes … including the fact that while awards might be performative, they can also lead to the opportunity to share your truths, and that was exactly my intention with this one ❤️

Kassan, A. (2026). Between belonging and betrayal: Reflections on my journey towards critical social justice in professional psychology. Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne, 67(2), 185–194. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000472

This is one of the most personal articles I have ever written, and it highlights many paradoxes … including the fact that while awards might be performative, they can also lead to the opportunity to share your truths, and that was exactly my intention with this one ❤️ Kassan, A. (2026). Between belonging and betrayal: Reflections on my journey towards critical social justice in professional psychology. Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne, 67(2), 185–194. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000472

April Recap / A had to refrain from adding all the puppy pictures 😍🐶😂

Fun Friday // It’s finally spring 🩵 And I’m leaning into colour with a lil help from & 😘

Mental Health Monday // Meet Nia! New member of our research community 🩵 And a recent recipient of an Undergraduate Student Research Award 🤓

Nia is a 4th year undergraduate student at UBC, graduating this May! Her research interests focus on youth mental health and its long-term effects into adulthood, with a deep curiosity about how early experiences shape who we become over time.

We know that final years of university can feel like a balancing act of deadlines, transitions, and “what’s next?” thinking — so it’s especially important to carve out space for rest, joy, and things that feel like you.

Outside of academics, Nia enjoys reading and writing as a way to slow down and stay grounded. When there’s extra time (a rare but cherished thing!), she can also be found playing video games and fully leaning into some well-earned escape.

Her current reading list is a constant companion, but next up is the Caraval series by Stephanie Garber ✨

How are you taking time for you right now? And what’s on your current reading list?