SLaM psychiatrist recognised for inspiring future psychiatrists
Dr Manonmani Manoharan, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley recently won an award at the Royal College of Psychatry London Division for her work supporting psychiatric education and mentorship at South London and Maudsley.
We spoke to Dr Manoharan about her career journey, what drew her to psychiatry and what it felt like to receive the Psychiatric Educator of the Year Award.
Dr Manonmani Manoharan, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Teaching is the only way that you become happy when you see someone else succeed. Your happiness is directly proportional to the success of people you teach.”
Finding her path in psychiatry
Dr Manoharan moved to the UK from India after medical school and joined South London and Maudsley in 2007 as a core trainee
She continued her higher training at the Trust and has now been a consultant for 12 years. She describes the Trust as her “second home”.
Her interest in psychiatry began at a young age, inspired by her aunt, who was a psychiatrist and shaped by seeing the stigma surrounding mental illness in India.
She said: “I always wanted to be a psychiatrist. For me, medicine is a holistic approach, a biopsychosocial approach and the mind is a very important thing.”
Dr Manoharan later specialised in perinatal psychiatry, where she supports mothers, babies and families at a crucial stage in their lives.
“In perinatal psychiatry, we are not just treating one person,” said Dr Manoharan. “We are treating a mother and the baby.”
Recognition for education and mentorship
Dr Manoharan was a runner up for Psychiatrist of the Year award and won the RCPsych London Division Psychiatric Educator of the Year award 2026.
The award recognises her work supervising resident doctors, mentoring trainees, teaching medical students, examining, developing education programmes and contributing to national work.
Dr Manoharan said: “My aim has always been to create a psychologically safe learning environment, where trainees feel comfortable asking questions, reflecting on difficult cases and developing into compassionate psychiatrists.”
She said education is closely linked to improving care for patients. “Every trainee we support today will go on to care for thousands of patients throughout their career,” said Dr Manoharan.
Reflecting on the award
Receiving the award was one of the most rewarding moments of Dr Manoharan’s career.
She dedicated it to South London and Maudsley, her trainees, medical students, mentors, colleagues, family and patients.
She said: “This award gave me the hope that I am going in the right direction. But let’s not stop here. I have to do more and more for patients.”
Advice for colleagues and trainees
Reflecting on her career, Dr Manoharan said no journey is without challenges, particularly after moving to a new country as an international medical graduate.
Her advice to trainees is to stay connected to their values and purpose.
“Never give up,” said Dr Manoharan. “No one’s journey is linear. Whatever happens, circle it back to your values and think about your patients and the bigger picture.”
A huge congratulations to Dr Manoharan on this significant achievement.