Our Story
Built by the community.
For the community.
MHISA was born from grief, shaped by love, and driven by the belief that no South Asian family should face mental illness alone.
How We Began
A tragedy that demanded a response.
MHISA was founded in Austin, Texas in 2021 by two UT Austin graduates who lost their roommate and his entire family to a tragedy driven by untreated mental illness. What began as grief became purpose. What began as two people became a national movement. We built MHISA because the mental health system was not built for our community — and someone had to build what was missing.
A world where South Asians lead healthful lives, free of shame and stigma.
We are students, researchers, and community members who refuse to look away.
MHISA is entirely volunteer-run. Our team spans five universities, four states, and one shared belief: that South Asian mental health cannot wait.