View our approach to community engagement
The core of our South Asian Community Engagement (SACEO) is ground work to make real changes in real communities. SACEO drives forward the implementation of MHISA projects across all branches.
We work within our own South Asian communities with prominent social leaders to implement mental health intervention programs including workshops, speeches, and activities in community centers. The development of these programs lays the foundation for expanding our educational intervention.
It takes one first conversation for a cascade of mental health conversations to open up. We know how difficult and foreign a conversation about our mental health feels. We feel unheard by our family and closest friends who we wish could support us. The South Asian community is known for stigma, fear, and unfamiliarity when it comes these emotional conversations. Our mission is to inspire and guide others through that first step.
MHISA deeply values its partnership with the Radha Madhav Dham (RMD) Hindu Temple. After hosting an inaugural workshop at the temple, the enthusiastic response from members inspired MHISA to expand its network of workshops beyond this temple. RMD is an inspiring community- helping us evaluate how to best address the Hindu community.
With Dr. Afshan Khan and Dr. Nudrat Khatri, MHISA is learning from existing mental health workshops done at North Austin Muslim Community Center (NAMCC) to support leaders best meet the needs of their community. With a team of community leaders here and participating students, NAMCC fosters an amazing environment for MHISA to understand the intricacies of approaching mental health education through a Muslim lens.
Given the unique opportunity to work with the Sikh community, Singh Sabha Gurdwara helped MHISA administer the SACEO workshop program to their audience. Ongoing feedback and further implementation of the curriculum with Singh Sabha Gurdwara is advancing organization understanding about real mental health concerns within the Sikh population.
In spring of 2024, MHISA Texas members hosted an inaugural workshop at St. Gregorio’s Orthodox Church in Austin, and received an overwhelming amount of understanding and participation from those who attended. The members of this parish help us to spread our message, as well as further integrate our South Asian mental health curriculum to Christian communities throughout Austin. An overview of our inaugural event can be found on out social media!
Copyright © 2024 Mental Health Initiative for South Asians Inc.
