In YA graphic novel ‘Fitting Indian,’ author Jyoti Chand explores mental health in the South Asian community ...Middle East

Teenage Nitasha should be the perfect Indian daughter to her expectant parents — but will that ever be enough for her friends and family? Or for herself?

In her debut graphic novel “Fitting Indian,” author, comedian and social media influencer Jyoti Chand explores mental health within South Asian and Asian American communities. The young adult novel follows Nitasha, a 16-year-old Indian girl struggling with difficult family dynamics, feeling out of place, and severe depression.

Published in May during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, “Fitting Indian” explores themes of racial identity, complex family relationships, as well as alcohol abuse and depression.

“In America, there are no (young adult) graphic novels that are written and illustrated by Indian women … there isn’t any quite like this in that space,”  Chand, 36, said. “How is this possible? It’s 2025.”

Chand said her book examines high expectations and pressures that Indian American girls often face, wanting to fit in.

She wrote the book aiming to combat mental health stigmas in Asian and South Asian communities, which she says she experienced firsthand, growing up in West Covina and throughout the Los Angeles area.

“When I was 18, I attempted to take my own life,” Chand said. “I was going through severe depression, and I didn’t know where to turn. I also felt very alone because I didn’t feel like other girls who looked like me were struggling in my culture, and we just didn’t talk about this stuff.”

She shared her story of attending UC Riverside when this happened, losing her job and housing, moving back to her parents’ home, and having to come clean about everything that happened.

“When I told my parents, it was really heartbreaking for them — they just couldn’t wrap their head around how this is a possibility,” Chand said.

Mental health is often “brushed under the rug” for many South Asian cultures, she said.

“We never saw people struggling out loud in Indian communities, and that didn’t make it comfortable for me to tell people I was struggling.”

Data is limited on cultural mental health barriers within South Asian communities, and even more on issues of suicide.

Research from UCLA’s Center for Health Policy showed that 70% of Asian adults with serious or moderate psychological distress have not had their needs met when it comes to mental health care. This includes at least 65% of those surveyed, who are of South Asian descent and experience these distresses.

Chand felt the need to highlight critical gaps in mental health care — and call for greater resources, discussions and accountability — within her South Asian community. While “Fitting Indian” is fictional, it is inspired by some of her real-life experiences with mental health.

In a post on Instagram, she dedicated the book to other young Indian girls who struggle in silence, “this one’s for my brown girls… the ones who were told to shrink, to stay quiet, to be good.”

She also felt it important to share aspects of Indian culture throughout the story, including celebrations like Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights and Holi, the festival of colors. Untranslated Punjabi language is also used, along with a glimpse of an elaborate traditional Indian wedding.

“I wrote this book because it’s the one thing I can give back,” she said. “I wanted brown girls and boys like me to feel seen. I think adolescents can read it and feel a little more understood and seen. People my age can read it, and it’s almost like a healing journey for them.”

Her book also contains teen-specific resources and community contacts specializing in mental health and substance abuse.

The book was illustrated by Tara Anand, an award-winning artist from Mumbai. The two are working on another graphic novel together, an adult book with a young adult crossover.

In her work, Chand hopes to keep representing diverse, nuanced Indian American experiences besides the “studious medical school type,” she said.

“We’ve become a bit linear, getting the same stories over and over within the same culture,” she said. “There are so many different narratives to be told within each cultural background. It’s not just one narrative — the more stories that we can share, the more diversity within cultures we have.”

Anyone struggling with thoughts of suicide can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8, which offers free crisis support 24/7 in the U.S.

The National Helpline—1-800-662-HELP (4357)—also provides free, confidential mental health and substance abuse resources 24/7 in both Spanish and English. The Asian Mental Health Collective shares mental health resources and support, including an AAPI therapist network.

Other South Asian-specific organizations with community resources, from virtual workshops to podcast episodes, include the Asian American Psychological Association’s Division on South Asian Americans (DoSAA), the South Asian Public Health Association, the South Asian Mental Health Initiative & Network, and MannMukti.

Related links

“Fitting Indian” is available online and in select booksellers.

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