"I Am Because We Are"

by Asha Dullabh, Clinical Psychologist

I am Asha Dullabh—a Clinical Psychologist, a seeker, a storyteller, a healer, and an advocate for social justice in mental health and wellbeing. But beyond the titles and qualifications, I am a daughter of South Africa, raised in a land rich with resilience, struggle, and hope. My journey has been shaped by the philosophy of Ubuntu—the deeply rooted belief that “I am because we are.” It is a philosophy that is not just spoken where I come from; it is lived. It is woven into the way we care for one another, how we hold space for pain, and how we rise, together.

Now based in the UAE, I bring the essence of Ubuntu into my work in a global landscape. Living in a country that is a melting pot of cultures and perspectives, I see firsthand how the principles of interconnectedness and collective wellbeing apply across diverse backgrounds. My work in the UAE allows me to bridge cultures, fostering an inclusive approach to mental health that resonates across individuals, organizations, and communities.

From an early age, I was drawn to the stories of people—their pain, their triumphs, their silent struggles. I realized that mental health is not just about what happens in the mind; it is about the conditions in which we live, the systems that shape us, and the invisible forces that determine whether we suffer alone or heal in community.

Ubuntu has always been at the core of my work, even before I had the language to articulate it. It is why I see wellbeing not as an individual luxury but as a social responsibility. It is why I challenge the traditional, isolated approach to therapy and instead work toward integrative mental health—where psychology meets community, where healing is not just about self-improvement but about social transformation.

The Ubuntu Spirit in My Work

My journey in psychology has taken me across different worlds—private practice, corporate wellness, education, hospitals, and community mental health initiatives. But no matter where I go, I carry with me the same truth: mental health is deeply tied to social justice.

I have sat with people whose anxiety was not just about personal fears but about economic instability. I have worked with individuals whose depression was not just about brain chemistry but about years of racial or gender-based discrimination. I have helped clients heal from childhood traumas, only to realize that their pain was generational—a wound passed down through histories of inequality, displacement, and loss.

Psychology alone cannot heal these wounds. Healing requires a shift in the systems that cause harm. And this is where Ubuntu becomes more than a philosophy—it becomes a call to action.

• Wellbeing cannot exist in a world of economic injustice. That is why I advocate for financial wellness as part of mental health. Stress about money is one of the greatest contributors to anxiety and depression, yet traditional therapy often ignores it. I refuse to separate the two.
• Wellbeing cannot thrive in isolation. Healing happens in community, in connection. This is why I am passionate about group work—because transformation is amplified when people heal together. Whether through workshops, retreats, or structured wellness programs, I believe in bringing people together, helping them see that they are not alone.
• Mental health is a right, not a privilege. This is why I work on creating accessible mental health frameworks—not just for individuals who can afford therapy but for workplaces, schools, and entire communities.
• Longevity is not just about how long we live but how well we live. This is why I focus on integrative wellbeing, looking at not just mental health but sleep, diet, movement, relationships, and purpose.

Ubuntu reminds me every day that my work is not just about individual healing—it is about collective liberation.

What Motivates Me?

People often ask me, Why are you so passionate about this work?

The answer is simple: because I know what it feels like to be part of something bigger than myself. I grew up in a country that has seen both deep suffering and deep healing. I have witnessed the power of resilience, the strength that comes from unity, and the transformation that happens when people come together to lift each other up.

I have also seen what happens when social justice is ignored—when mental health is treated as an individual issue rather than a systemic one. I refuse to accept a world where access to mental health care is a privilege rather than a right. I refuse to watch people struggle in silence because the systems designed to support them are failing.

My motivation comes from the people I work with—the mother trying to balance work and mental health, the young professional navigating burnout, the child who feels unseen in the school system, the leader who wants to bring emotional intelligence into the workplace. Every story fuels my mission.

A Final Thought: My Ubuntu Promise

I am Asha Dullabh, and I am because we are.

I do this work not just because I love psychology, but because I believe in humanity. I believe in a world where mental health is not a luxury. I believe in the power of community, the necessity of justice, and the profound impact of wellbeing when it is treated as a human right.

So, to whoever is reading this: you are not alone. Your wellbeing matters, and your healing is possible—not just for you, but for all of us. Because when one of us thrives, we all do.

That is the essence of Ubuntu. That is the essence of my work.

And that is the promise I continue to uphold, every single day.