Prioritizing Mental Health After Spinal Cord Injury: A New Series with Dr. H'Sien Hayward
It's no secret that mental and physical health are deeply interconnected. Yet after a spinal cord injury (SCI), many people focus primarily on physical rehabilitation while overlooking their emotional well-being. This oversight can have serious consequences, affecting short- and long-term recovery, overall health, and quality of life.
NorCal SCI is committed to changing that. We are excited to announce a new in-depth series led by Dr. H'Sien Hayward, a Harvard-trained clinical psychologist, wheelchair user living with a spinal cord injury, and Northern California resident.
Dr. Hayward brings a unique blend of lived experience and expertise. She earned her PhD from Harvard University, where her award-winning research explored the science of happiness and post-traumatic growth—the process of finding new strengths and meaning after adversity. Her findings, published widely and featured in outlets like The Wall Street Journal, continue to shape her strengths-based approach to therapy. She completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University Medical Center and has worked extensively with veterans, trauma survivors, and people with disabilities.
This upcoming series builds on her collaboration with SCI Boston and will be a 6-part program on Zoom, limited to a small group of up to 10 participants for meaningful discussion and support.
The series will cover:
Common mental health challenges after SCI
Evidence-based treatment options
Practical psychological tools and strategies anyone can use to build resilience and improve well-being
Whether you're newly injured, years post-injury, or supporting someone with SCI, this series offers a safe space to explore these topics with an expert who truly understands.
We're planting the seed now—stay tuned for exact dates and registration details coming soon!
In the meantime, learn more about Dr. Hayward and her work at www.drhsienhayward.com.
