Where it all began.
The founding chapter — and still the engine of MHISA's research, education, and community work.
Meet the Team ↓Noni Seth
Noni leads MHISA's founding chapter, overseeing a team of 50+ students across research, community engagement, and innovation. She is also a contributing editor of Spice Up Your Mind magazine.
Research
Seven active studies. One mission.
NCHA Mental Health Survey
Analyzing the National College Health Assessment dataset to surface how South Asian students' mental health compares to the broader college population.
CCAPS Study
Examining South Asian student responses on the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms to identify culturally specific patterns in help-seeking and distress presentation.
Somatization Research
Investigating how South Asians uniquely manifest mental health symptoms in physical form — stomach pain, insomnia, fatigue — compared to other populations. Uses MHISA's proprietary disaggregation algorithm.
Barriers & Facilitators to Help-Seeking
Identifying what stops South Asians from accessing mental health care — and what actually works to move them toward it.
Evaluating Perspectives Research
A cross-chapter study with MHISA UT Dallas examining community attitudes toward mental health across different South Asian subgroups and generations.
Mental Health Video Game
An interactive, narrative-driven video game designed to teach mental health literacy to South Asian youth through culturally embedded storytelling.
Education
Mental Health First Aid
MHISA UT Austin delivers Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to the UT community — certifying students and faculty in recognizing and responding to mental health crises.
Religious Clergy Training
Working directly with Austin-area South Asian religious leaders to build mental health awareness and referral capacity within faith communities — where families turn first.
Community Workshops
Regular workshops delivered to Austin-area South Asian families, temples, and cultural organizations through MHISA's structured 10-session curriculum.
Innovation
Resources built for our community.
DV/SA Safety Guide — Austin
A culturally tailored guide for South Asian survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Austin area — with local resources, culturally sensitive language, and community-specific pathways to support.
Austin, TXQuiet Care for UT Austin
A mental health resource guide tailored for South Asian students at UT Austin — navigating CMHC services, peer support options, and culturally concordant care providers on and off campus.
UT Austin CampusRecognition
MHISA UT Austin was awarded a grant from the St. David's Foundation in recognition of its community mental health education work across Central Texas.
Spice Up Your Mind
The UT Austin chapter produces MHISA's flagship magazine — a nationally distributed publication featuring South Asian voices, lived experience essays, wellness research, and cultural storytelling. Two issues published to date.
Read the Magazine →Want to get involved?
Whether you're a student, a researcher, or a community member — there's a place for you in MHISA.