THE sound of her name, Kiara Parsuram, carried through the Premier Splendid Inn graduation hall, followed by the words master’s degree. For the Merebank resident, that moment felt unreal, a culmination of years marked by sacrifice, perseverance and a desire to positively impact the lives of others.

Parsuram, 26, had recently earned her Master’s degree in Social Science from the South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP), specialising in Community Mental Health Promotion.

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Clad in her graduation gown, she stood amid a circle of proud family and friends, reflecting on the day as one of the most emotionally resonant and rewarding experiences of her life.

“I graduated with my undergraduate degree during Covid-19, so I never got the opportunity to experience a graduation ceremony. Although my honours graduation was special, this one felt completely different. This graduation was everything I could have dreamed of and more. I have never felt prouder or more fulfilled than I did in that moment,” said Parsuram. 

Balancing work and studies

Unlike many students whose primary focus is just academics, Parsuram navigated her studies while managing a spectrum of other responsibilities. “I was studying part-time online through SACAP while also working full-time for the same institution from Monday to Friday. My weekends were often dedicated to offering mental health support to families within the autism community,” she said. 

Her master work

The core of her master’s research was the creation of a practical guidebook for caregivers of children with autism in KZN. This endeavour was directly shaped by her personal experiences, particularly from her time working at an autism school after completing her honours degree.

“The work was very different from what we studied academically, and being exposed to the realities faced by children with autism and their families opened my eyes to how misunderstood and overlooked autism still is within many communities. Through interacting with families, I realised how many people lacked understanding, support, and access to practical information regarding autism. I saw firsthand how families often had to restructure their entire lives around the needs and challenges associated with caring for a child on the spectrum,” she said.

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Although Parsuram moved into a full-time profession at SACAP and began the tedious journey for her master’s degree, her heart and passion for children living with autism remained. “I became involved with various community organisations and autism centres through workshops and conversations with caregivers,” she said. 

It was not a smooth sail 

Pursuing a qualification within the fields of psychology and mental health, Parsuram acknowledged, brought its own distinct set of emotional challenges. “These are emotionally demanding fields, because one is continually immersed in sensitive topics and the very real challenges that affect individuals and communities,” she said.

Making dreams a reality

Nevertheless, her determination to create a meaningful impact through her work remained her central focus.

“If anyone had told me seven years ago that I would be standing here today, I honestly doubt I would have believed them. To finally be able to state that I have completed my master’s degree is a source of immense personal pride,” she said.

A support structure

Parsuram conveyed her heartfelt appreciation to the numerous individuals who had supported her steadfastly throughout her journey.

“I want to express my gratitude to my family, my friends, my colleagues and especially to the families within the autism community who offered their unwavering support and encouragement to me throughout this entire endeavour. A special thanks to Colours Of Bliss Autism Centre for inspiring and supporting me in my research and undertaking my passion for community mental health advocacy,” she said. 

Looking forward 

Now, equipped with her newly acquired qualification, Parsuram intends to publish the autism guide she developed through her research. Her hope is for it to serve as a continuous resource, offering aid to caregivers and families across communities within KZN and extending its reach further afield.

However, Parsuram said this is not the last time she will walk the graduation stage as she plans to obtain her PhD.

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