South Asian Mental Health Alliance
Est. 2010 – A non-profit network dedicated to mental health awareness, acceptance, support and empowerment.
In partnership with the Surrey School District and Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, the South Asian Mental Health Community Conference will take place at:
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VANCOUVER, BC, September 28, 2011 – The inaugural South Asian Mental Health Community Conference, hosted by South Asian Mental Health Alliance (SAMHAA) Society, will be the first event of its kind, bringing together multidisciplinary professionals, agencies, and community members. The event aims to reduce stigma and misconceptions around mental health issues, and facilitate education and discussion within the community.
SAMHAA, meaning “time & circumstances†in Punjabi & Hindi, is a BC non-profit society founded in January, 2011 to build bridges between those affected by mental health issues, advocates, and resource providers through ongoing outreach, advocacy, education and discourse. “Mental illness affects 1 in 4 people worldwide regardless of culture or country,†explains Dr. Shimi Kang, the first keynote speaker at the event. “South Asian specific cultural issues can impact the presentation, course, and management of illness for affected individuals and their families. SAMHAA’s efforts will provide much needed awareness and key information about mental health and wellbeing for South Asians within their own cultural context.†Workshops on various topics will take place throughout the day in English, Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi by leading South Asian mental health professionals, concluding with an afternoon keynote by Dr. Gulzar Cheema.
The event is hosted in partnership with The BC Mental Health Foundation, Surrey School District and Sources Community Resource Centre Society, and will feature information tables from over 15 local agencies. Complimentary lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is required.
Event: South Asian Mental Health Community Conference
Date & Time: October 22, 2011, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (doors open at 9:00 am)
Location: Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, 9457 King George Blvd, Surrey, V3V 5W4
To register: www.samhaa.org
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ABOUT SAMHAA:
Mental health is important to all members of society but, unfortunately, there remains a lot of stigma and ignorance around many mental illnesses. Historically, the South Asian community has had limited access to, or knowledge of, resources and support for culturally relevant and multilingual mental health information. As a result, many people are unable to get the help or support they need, and lose out on relationships, jobs, and, literally, the “peace of mind†of living a fulfilled and joyful life.
South Asian Mental Health Alliance (SAMHAA) is a new non-profit community network engaging, educating and mobilizing the South Asian community around issues related to mental health. As the first organization of its kind in Canada, SAMHAA’s mission is to create awareness, foster acceptance, provide links to support and resources, as well as empower all affected by mental illness. SAMHAA’s vision is a society where health and wellness of the mind, body and spirit are recognized equally, without stigma or stereotypes.
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SPEAKERS:
Arvinder Grewal, Clinical Counsellor, BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. HaFeez Mian, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Surrey School District
Dr. Jas Bhopal, Psychiatrist
Dr. Poonam Tangri, Psychologist, Centre for Child Development
Dr. Rajpal Singh, Psychologist
(Keynote) Dr. G. Shimi Kang, MD FRCPC, Psychiatrist, Provincial Women’s Health Program, BC Women’s Hospital
Assistant Clinical Professor, UBC
Founder, Provincial Youth Concurrent Disorders Program, BC Children’s Hospital
Founder, Youth, Culture, and Mental Health Fund, BC Mental Health Foundation
Board of Directors of the BC Mental Health Foundation
(Keynote) Dr. Gulzar S. Cheema, MD CCFP, Family Practitioner
Clinical Instructor, Department of Family Practice, UBC
Medical Director, iCON South Asian Division eHealth Strategy Office, Faculty of Medicine, UBC
Former MLA, Surrey-Panorama Ridge
Former Minister of State for Mental Health
Former Minister of State for Immigration and Multicultural Services
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SCHEDULE:
October 22 Schedule:
9:00am – Doors Open (Tea, Registration)
10:00am – Welcome & Opening Keynote
11:00am – Main Session: Depression
12:00pm – Breakout Sessions:
– ADHD
– Psychosis
1:00pm – Complimentary Lunch and Exhibition
2:00pm – Main Session: Substance Abuse
3:00pm – Breakout Sessions:
– Dementia
– Anxiety Disorder
4:00pm – Closing Keynote (Dr. Gulzar Cheema)
4:30pm – Open Floor Q&A and Exhibition
Register Now: http://samhaa.eventbrite.com/
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CONTACTS:
Speakers & Mental Health Professionals:
Please visit http://samhaa.org/professionals
Email: events@samhaa.org
Volunteers:
To volunteer please visit http://samhaa.org/volunteer
Email: volunteers@samhaa.org
Exhibitors:
Free exhibiting space is available for relevant local resource providers. To sign up, please visit http://samhaa.org/exhibitors
Email: events@samhaa.org
General Inquiries:
Kulpreet Singh, Founder, SAMHAA
Phone: 778.319.1699
Email: kulpreetsingh@samhaa.org
Media Inquiries:
Natasha Raey, Project Manager, SAMHAA
Phone: 778.552.4538
Email: natasha@samhaa.org
We have had an outstanding response from the community in the past few months regarding the timeliness of this network and the need to bring professionals together to help the South Asian community engage in productive discussion to find solutions, fight stigmas, and work together for a better, healthier, happier society.
If you are interested in volunteering with SAMHAA, please fill out the SAMHAA Volunteer Form
If you are a mental health professional interested in partnering with SAMHAA, or speaking at the first annual South Asian Mental Health Community Conference on October 22, 2011, please fill out the SAMHAA Professionals “Expression of Interest” Form
For more information about SAMHAA, please email us at info@samhaa.org.
Historically, the South Asian community has had limited access to, or knowledge of, resources and support for culturally relevant mental health information. Within South Asian families, there is also a fairly strong stigma that exists around disclosing and discussing mental illnesses. Seeing the need for support, SAMHAA was created to fill the current gap that exists in the community by facilitating the support network and working with the community to help build acceptance of mental health and wellness among South Asians.
As the first organization of its kind in Canada, SAMHAA’s mission is to create awareness, foster acceptance, provide links to support and resources, as well as empower all affected by mental illness. Their vision is a society where health and wellness of the mind, body and spirit are recognized equally, without stigma or stereotypes.
This past Sunday, SAMHAA hosted their first-ever mental health workshop at the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Surrey. Roughly 200 members of the congregation were given the opportunity to learn about mental health and wellness, overcoming stigma and ways to support affected family and friends.The keynote speaker was Dr. Shimi Kang, Assistant Professor at UBC and Psychiatrist at BC Children’s and BC Women’s Hospitals. Another highlight of the event was the first ever showing of artwork by local artist Nirmal Gerow who has used art as a means of expression and therapy in her own mental health experiences. As stated by Gerow,
“During difficult times, art ceases being an intellectual pursuit to become a sacred place where I can come and, without expectations and judgment, put pen to paper and just start with a simple line or gesture.”
Although a new organization, SAMHAA already has the support of the BC Mental Health Foundation, Sources Community Resource Center and the Surrey School District Community Schools Partnership.
This workshop was SAMHAA’s first foray into the larger community, and the 12 committed volunteers who have come together for this network are feverishly working to bring the South Asian Community a two-day conference on mental health and wellness to be held in Surrey on October 22, 2011. In addition, SAMHAA, which aims to be a catalyst in a movement of awareness, will host ongoing workshops and outreach events related to mental health throughout BC this summer and following the conference. To learn more about the upcoming conference, request a workshop, or get involved as a volunteer, please check out SAMHAA at www.samhaa.org, on Twitter @SouthAsianMH or via phone at (604) 771-0229.
For questions or pictures from the event:
Media Contact: Natasha Raey
Phone: 778 552 4538
Email: Natasha@raeyconsulting.com
South Asian Mental Health Alliance (SAMHAA) is a new non-profit community network engaging, educating and mobilizing the BC South Asian community around issues related to mental health.
SAMHAA’s mission is to create awareness, foster acceptance, provide links to support & resources, & empower all affected by mental illness. Our vision is a society where health/wellness of the mind, body & spirit are recognized equally, without stigma or stereotypes.
We hope to begin this action & awareness movement in the BC South Asian community and inspire other communities to also carry this torch and reduce the darkness of ignorance and stigma that causes many to struggle in silence, without support.
Please join us for a 90 minute public meeting to talk about:
1) What are the issues?
2) What are some solutions?
3) How is SAMHAA working on these solutions?
4) How can we work together for greater understanding and acceptance?
Date/Time: 6pm sharp, Sunday, May 22, 2011
Location: TBA (will be in Newton Area of Surrey, BC)
Refreshments & snacks will be served.
Time will be available after the meeting for networking & open discussion.
For more information please contact:
Kulpreet Singh – kulpreetsingh@gmail.com
Natasha Raey – natasha@raeyconsulting.com
The SAMHAA website will be launched with updates and information at 12pm noon, Monday, Feb 14th.