Dr Ayesha Mian, an associate professor in psychiatry at AKU and head of the University’s Gender Equality programme, has been awarded the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s Jeanne Spurlock, MD, Award on Diversity and Culture in recognition of her enduring efforts to advance and promote the field of child and adolescent psychiatry and build capacity in the field.
The award from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, AACAP, was established in 2012 in honor of Jeanne Spurlock, MD, one of the leading practitioners in child and adolescent psychiatry, in honour of her advocacy for children, adolescents, and their families, from all cultures. This is the first time this honour has been awarded to an individual working outside the United states and Canada.
During a lecture delivered after accepting the award, Dr Ayesha Mian said: “Jeanne Spurlock spent her life striving against discrimination and advocating for women and minorities. She’s left us with a legacy that I’m so proud to be able to follow.”
In her speech, Dr Ayesha made a case for the role of culturally informed training and how it adds multidimensionality preparing individuals for a ‘less trodden’ career pathway. She highlighted the role played by a diverse group of mentors during her time at the University of Texas- Houston, Baylor College of Medicine and various national and global organised psychiatry associations in building her resilience, creativity and motivating her to become an advocate for diversity and a change agent in the profession.
During her time at AKU, Dr Ayesha has introduced Pakistan’s first child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) fellowship training programme that has graduated three specialists in the field to date. She also led the development of a CAMH certificate course, which has been taken by over 50 teachers, social workers, psychiatrists and paediatricians, and conducted various workshops in school mental health that have built the capacity of over 400 teachers.
Her trainees have all been applauded and received international recognition for their leadership work early in their careers. Her presence and advocacy on print and social media has also helped create awareness in the area of child and adolescent mental health in Pakistan.
She also chaired the University’s first conference on Gender Equity and Women In Leadership which was attended by over 400 academics, activists and professionals.
AACAP is the largest medical organisation focused on providing child and adolescent psychiatrists the resources they need in order to promote mentally healthy children, adolescents, and families. It has over 9,500 members around the world.