Akshata Parekh is a 2024 recipient of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab Global Majority Scholarship, for the Arts Health Research Intensive training course, a residential programme aimed at developing knowledge, skills and contacts in arts and health research in partnership with the University of Florida. A PhD student, therapist, facilitator and educator, Akshata is currently developing a mental health literacy programme for nursing staff in three different hospitals using expressive arts therapy interventions in Pune, India. She also has personal experience of the value of the arts in her life. Participating in the course directly informs her work in India and enables her to exchange knowledge with an international community.