Gayathri Kallukaran is a Junior Journalist with Eastern Eye. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Paul’s College, Bengaluru, and brings over five years of experience in content creation, including two years in digital journalism. She covers stories across culture, lifestyle, travel, health, and technology, with a creative yet fact-driven approach to reporting. Known for her sensitivity towards human interest narratives, Gayathri’s storytelling often aims to inform, inspire, and empower. Her journey began as a layout designer and reporter for her college’s daily newsletter, where she also contributed short films and editorial features. Since then, she has worked with platforms like FWD Media, Pepper Content, and Petrons.com, where several of her interviews and features have gained spotlight recognition. Fluent in English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi, she writes in English and Malayalam, continuing to explore inclusive, people-focused storytelling in the digital space.
A new community-led initiative has been launched in the UK to provide culturally sensitive support for South Asian women navigating midlife and menopause.
The Sattva Collective, founded by certified Midlife and Menopause Coach Kiran Singh, officially launched on 14 May 2025 as a registered Community Interest Company (CIC). It is the first initiative in the UK focused specifically on the experiences of South Asian women during what Singh describes as a “deeply personal and often stigmatised” phase of life.
“South Asian women are navigating physical, emotional, and identity shifts in silence – often without the language, space, or support to talk about it,” Singh said. “The Sattva Collective is here to change that. We are reclaiming midlife as a powerful, transformative time – and doing it together.”
The name 'Sattva' is drawn from Sanskrit, referring to clarity, balance, and inner peace – values reflected in the collective’s approach.
The organisation will offer a range of services throughout the year, including:
Monthly community meet-ups in local cafés
Educational workshops on hormone health, mental well-being, and cultural stigma
An annual flagship Midlife Summit launching in January 2026
Public awareness campaigns and digital resources
One-to-one and group coaching sessions
Singh, who is of Indian heritage, aims to address the gaps in both mainstream and cultural conversations around menopause. According to her, many South Asian women face barriers to accessing support due to stigma, lack of awareness, and limited representation in public discourse.
The Sattva Collective is now preparing to roll out its 2025 programme and is actively seeking funding, sponsorship, and community partners to expand its reach and resources.
Describing midlife as “not a crisis, but a calling,” Singh hopes the initiative will empower more women to speak openly about their health and experiences, while building a supportive community.
Further details about upcoming events and resources will be made available through the collective’s official channels in the coming weeks.
October marks Menopause Awareness Month, with World Menopause Day on 18 October.
South Asian women often face earlier menopause, more severe symptoms, and higher health risks.
Cultural stigma and silence leave many women isolated and unsupported.
The Sattva Collective CIC is the UK’s first organisation focused on South Asian women and menopause.
Founded by coach Kiran Singh, it provides safe spaces, resources, and monthly Midlife Circles.
Plans underway for a Midlife & Menopause Summit in October 2026.
Awareness is key: “Silence leads to shame. Awareness leads to empowerment.”
This October, the world observes Menopause Awareness Month, with World Menopause Day on 18th October. For many South Asian women, this is more than a health milestone, it is an opportunity to finally challenge silence, stigma, and cultural barriers that have silenced generations before us.
Menopause is universal. But its impact is not. Research shows that South Asian women often enter menopause earlier, with more severe symptoms and higher risks of diabetes and heart disease. Yet in many South Asian communities, menopause remains an unspoken subject, whispered about in kitchens, dismissed as “just part of ageing,” or hidden entirely.
The result? Women endure not only the physical changes of menopause but also isolation and shame.
The Sattva Collective CIC: A first of its kind
The Sattva Collective CIC (.www.thesattvacollective.org) is the UK’s first Community Interest Company dedicated specifically to South Asian women, midlife, and menopause. Founded by Kiran Singh (https://kiransinghuk.com/), herself a certified Midlife Lifestyle Coach and Menopause Wellness Coach, the organisation exists to create safe, culturally sensitive spaces where women can access education, share experiences, and reclaim dignity in midlife.
Through monthly Midlife Circle meet-ups, an online resource hub, and regular awareness campaigns, The Sattva Collective is making sure South Asian women know: you are not alone.
Looking forward, the organisation will host the Midlife & Menopause Summit in October 2026, timed with the Menopause Awareness Month, to bring together practitioners, experts, and women’s voices in a landmark event.
The stigma within
In South Asian families, women who express dissatisfaction in midlife are often told: “But your husband is a good man. Why complain?” Or: “It’s just ageing, everyone goes through it.”
But these dismissals hide a deeper truth: that emotional unavailability, loneliness, and invisibility are just as real as physical symptoms.
By naming these realities, The Sattva Collective empowers women to stop apologising for their needs and start demanding recognition, respect, and resources.
Awareness as empowerment
This Menopause Awareness Month, South Asian women deserve to be seen not as a cultural afterthought, but as central voices in the global conversation.
As Singh notes: “Silence leads to shame. Awareness leads to empowerment. When we speak, we break the cycle for the next generation.”
Moving forward
Eastern Eye readers are invited to support this movement by:
- Talking to mothers, sisters, and daughters about menopause.
- Sharing resources within families and community groups.
-Supporting organisations like The Sattva Collective CIC that are leading change.
This October, let us break the generational silence around menopausebecause every South Asian woman deserves to navigate midlife with dignity, confidence, and compassion.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
The new ‘Stratus’ Covid strain is testing UK defences
New Stratus strain linked to hoarse voice among UK cases
Experts say no increase in severity, vaccines remain effective
Reduced testing makes tracking variants increasingly difficult
Noticing the subtle signs
Across England, some people are reporting a hoarse voice alongside mild cold-like symptoms — a subtle signal of the new Stratus Covid strain. With its two offshoots, XFG and XFG.3, this variant is quietly becoming a larger part of UK infections.
Unlike previous waves marked by fever or loss of smell, the Stratus strain is drawing attention for more understated changes, prompting doctors to remind the public that even minor symptoms can indicate infection.
Dr Alex Allen, consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said:
“Viruses continue to mutate over time. While Stratus is spreading, there is no evidence it causes more severe illness than previous variants.”
Tracking Covid in a low-testing era
Falling numbers of people taking Covid tests make it harder for authorities to measure the true spread of XFG and XFG.3. Internationally, XFG has already appeared in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Americas.
The World Health Organisation has assessed the variant as “low risk” globally. Vaccines remain effective against symptomatic and severe disease, though certain spike protein mutations in Stratus may partially reduce antibody recognition.
Everyday precautions and awareness
While hospitalisations have not risen sharply, medical experts advise paying attention to subtle symptoms like a hoarse voice, particularly for children, older adults, and those with pre-existing conditions.
Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP, said:
“Stratus shows that Covid continues to evolve. Staying alert to mild symptoms and maintaining vaccinations remain the best tools for protection.”
For many, the lesson is that Covid’s presence is still felt in everyday life — sometimes in the smallest, most unexpected ways.
Keep ReadingShow less
Traditional sarees in blue and white marked the occasion
Charity walk at Clumber Park united 38 participants across generations
Traditional sarees in blue and white marked the occasion
Over £2,000 raised for Parkinson’s UK
Sarees and solidarity at Clumber Park
Members of the Bangladeshi community in Yorkshire gathered this summer for a colourful charity walk that raised more than £2,000 for Parkinson’s UK.
The event, held on 26 July at Clumber Park in Worksop, was organised by the Dhaka Medical College Alumni Association UK (DMCAA UK). Thirty-eight participants, from children to grandparents in their 60s, walked in coordinated blue and white sarees – colours reflecting Parkinson’s UK – turning the park into a vibrant celebration of culture, unity, and purpose.
Families walking for a cause
The day was about more than fundraising. It brought together families across generations, with children not only joining the walk but also being recognised with certificates for their involvement. After the walk, the community enjoyed a picnic, where younger participants shared their reflections on the importance of giving back.
Dr Mahjabin Islam, Consultant Neurologist and NIHR Sheffield BRC Doctoral research fellow at the University of Sheffield, described the event as a milestone:
“This was our first large-scale fundraising effort, and it was such a rewarding experience. Seeing families, from the youngest to the eldest, come together in our cultural attire for such an important cause was very special. We are proud that our community could unite in this way to support Parkinson’s UK.”
It was organised by the Dhaka Medical College Alumni Association UKParkinson’s UK
A growing need for awareness
Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, affecting 166,000 people across the UK. With over 40 symptoms, ranging from tremor and pain to anxiety, the condition has no cure.
Ailsa Dragan, Community Fundraiser for Yorkshire at Parkinson’s UK, praised the effort:
“We’re so grateful to Dr Islam, the DMC Alumni Association UK, and everyone who both organised and took part in the walk to make it such a great success.”
For the organisers, the walk was both a cultural celebration and a commitment to supporting those living with Parkinson’s – and a reminder that small community-led efforts can make a meaningful difference.
Keep ReadingShow less
The actor lived with the condition for over seven years before undergoing surgery in 2011
Salman Khan recalls years of excruciating facial pain before undergoing surgery in 2011
Condition, often called the “suicide disease,” can be triggered by simple activities like eating or brushing teeth
Neurologist explains causes, symptoms and available treatments
Salman Khan’s struggle with facial nerve pain
Bollywood actor Salman Khan has once again spoken about his battle with trigeminal neuralgia, a neurological condition that causes sudden, stabbing facial pain. Appearing on a talk show with former co-stars Kajol and Twinkle Khanna, Khan described how the condition first surfaced in 2007 while filming Partner.
Khan said even light touches, such as co-actor Lara Dutta brushing a strand of hair from his face, could set off waves of pain. “It used to happen every four or five minutes. It would take me more than an hour to eat a meal. I couldn’t chew properly, I had to force myself through the pain just to finish,” he recalled.
The actor lived with the condition for over seven years before undergoing surgery in 2011 to relieve pressure on the affected nerve.
What is trigeminal neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia occurs when the trigeminal nerve — responsible for carrying sensations from the face to the brain — malfunctions or is compressed. The nerve has three branches covering the forehead, upper jaw and lower jaw.
When the nerve is triggered, patients experience sharp, electric shock-like pain that may last seconds but recur repeatedly. Everyday actions such as speaking, eating or even washing the face can trigger an episode.
Because the pain often resembles toothache, many patients first visit dentists before receiving a neurological diagnosis. The condition is more common in women and those over the age of 50.
Causes of the disorder
According to Dr Praveen Gupta, Chairman of the Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro & Spine, common causes include:
A blood vessel pressing against the trigeminal nerve
Cysts or tumours affecting the nerve pathway
Multiple sclerosis, which damages the protective myelin sheath around nerves
Facial trauma, stroke or complications following dental procedures
Treatment and management options
Treatment begins with medication, particularly sodium channel blockers, which reduce nerve activity and limit pain signals sent to the brain.
If drugs prove ineffective, doctors may recommend procedures such as:
Radiofrequency ablation: using heat to damage part of the nerve and block pain signals
Balloon compression: applying pressure to the nerve to reduce pain
Glycerol injections: causing minor nerve damage to stop pain impulses
Microvascular decompression: a surgical method of moving blood vessels away from the nerve to relieve pressure
While the condition is severe and often described as one of the most painful disorders known, doctors emphasise that with proper treatment, patients can find long-term relief.
Keep ReadingShow less
Lifestyle factors linked with psychological distress
Persistent psychological distress up to 12 months post-heart attack can raise risk of recurrence by nearly 1.3 times.
Between one-third and half of survivors experience depression, anxiety or PTSD.
Interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy, medication and stress-reduction can improve recovery and quality of life.
Psychological distress and heart health
Persistent psychological distress following a heart attack could increase the risk of another cardiac event by nearly 1.3 times, researchers have found.
A review by the American Heart Association (AHA) reported that 33–50 per cent of heart attack survivors suffer symptoms such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These mental health issues, the researchers said, can significantly affect both physical recovery and long-term health outcomes.
Findings from the review
The team analysed previous studies on myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, depression, stress and PTSD.
“After a mean follow-up of 4.7 years, moderate psychological distress was associated with a 28 per cent increased risk of future myocardial infarction, while high or very high distress was linked to a 60 per cent increase compared with low distress,” the authors wrote in the journal Circulation.
Professor Glenn N Levine of Baylor College of Medicine, who chaired the writing group, said psychological distress was often overlooked. “We often focus on the physical aspects of heart disease, yet psychological health is linked to physical health, so when a major cardiac event like a heart attack occurs, emotional recovery is just as important,” he noted.
Why mental distress matters
The researchers explained that damage to the heart muscle can trigger inflammation, hormonal changes and chemical shifts in the brain that contribute to depression, anxiety or PTSD. Acute stress may also narrow coronary arteries, reduce blood flow and cause irregular rhythms, even in people without prior heart disease.
Lifestyle factors linked with psychological distress – such as reduced physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, poor diet, disturbed sleep, weak social support and low medication adherence – can further increase the risk of a recurrent cardiac event. A history of chronic illness or mental health conditions adds to this vulnerability.
Scope of the problem
According to the AHA, anxiety and stress may affect up to 50 per cent of heart attack patients during hospitalisation, and continue in 20–30 per cent of cases for months after discharge.
The authors stressed that while more research is required to confirm a direct causal link, the association is clear: “Up to half of patients after myocardial infarction may experience psychological distress, and this has been associated with a higher risk of future cardiac events.”
Addressing psychological recovery
Experts recommend interventions including cognitive behavioural therapy, antidepressants and stress-reduction techniques. These can help reduce distress, improve emotional wellbeing, and enhance quality of life for heart attack survivors.