Mental health wasn’t a topic we talked about growing up in South Asian households. If someone was struggling, they were often labeled “pagal” meaning “he’s gone mad.” There was no space for therapy, open conversation, or compassion. You just had to deal with it and move on.
On June 21st, SAPHA had the honor of participating in something very powerful and hopeful in Northern Virginia.
Together with Ashiyanaa and the CARE registry, we’re helping rewrite this narrative by showing up for the South Asian community in new ways. These organizations are creating safe spaces to openly discuss mental health, heal generational trauma, and raise awareness—conversations our parents never had the chance to have.
Our own Aisha Bimla and Tej Shah led a moving workshop entitled “Caring for Our Minds and Hearts: Understanding Mental Health in Our Community.” The event also featured a fun Bollywood dance workshop, bringing joy, culture, and connection to the gathering.
We had the privilege of meeting some incredible pioneers in this space — including Arnab Mukherjea from Cal State, who is making national strides in South Asian mental health advocacy. Their work inspires us all.
While we’ve made significant progress, we recognize there’s still much work ahead. Events like this remind us that change is underway, and we’re proud to be part of this growing movement.
