Caring for our loved ones can be both meaningful and challenging. Caretaking responsibilities can overtake other priorities, including self-care. Join Dr. Suma Srishaila, Associate Director of Behavioral Health at Northern Westchester Hospital, and Rachel Merchan, LCSW, social worker and health educator, to discuss ways to prioritize self-care while maintaining supportive caregiving. Dr. Srishaila and Rachel will speak about addressing self-care challenges during the pandemic and explore effective strategies for maintaining mental wellness.

About the presenters

Dr. Suma Srishaila is the Associate Director of the Department of Psychiatry at Northern Westchester Hospital, where she has worked for almost a decade. After completing medical school in India, she specialized in Psychiatry at Seton Hall University and received her Master’s degree in Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. Dr. Srishaila works with patients in the emergency room, medical floors and the inpatient psychiatric unit. She has developed the geriatric arm of the psychiatry department by providing in home care to residents at a local assisted living facility. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Srishaila is involved with various committees at the hospital, ranging from issues pertaining to ethics, community partnerships and education. Dr. Srishaila is passionate about the field of mental illness and the impact of mental illness on the individual and their loved ones. She is focused on promoting knowledge and understanding of mental health and wellness in the community, and in countering stigma and barriers to accessing mental health care.

Rachel Merchan is a licensed clinical social worker and a health educator at Northern Westchester Hospital. She received her Bachelor’s in social work from Skidmore College and her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania. Rachel has worked in numerous hospitals and healthcare organizations, specializing in HIV care, sexual health, and substance abuse. Rachel is passionate about destigmatizing mental health care and enhancing health equity.

This program will be held over Zoom. Registration is required. You will receive a Zoom link prior to the presentation.

For any questions, please email chl@northwell.edu.