A large part of SAMHIN’s mission is to educate the South Asian community about mental health and wellness. We have compiled various resources to illustrate the significance and importance of understanding mental health and wellness. We are consistently expanding our resources and encourage you to share this knowledge with your loved ones.
Need help now?
Contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Books
The Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD: An 8-Step Program for Strengthening Attention, Managing Emotions, and Achieving Your Goals by Lidia Zylowska (Excellent book with specific and practical guidance on how to practice various mindfulness-based meditations. The comments are customized for persons with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, though the practices are suitable for anyone.)
ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life by Judith Kolberg and Kathleen Nadeau
The Disorganized Mind: Coaching Your ADHD Brain to Take Control of Your Time, Tasks, and Talents by Nancy Ratey
Taking Charge of Adult ADHD by Russell Barkley
More Attention, Less Deficit: Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD by Ari Tuckman
American Psychiatric Association
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Early Intervention Program – U.S Department of Education
Guardianship information – NJ Department of Human Services
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Individualized Education Program – US Department of Education
Perform Care – NJ Children’s System of Care
South Asian Mental Health Awareness (SAMHAJ) (New Jersey)
Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) Advocacy
Articles and Guides
Autism Speaks School Community Toolkit
Evidence-Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Articles
Postpartum Depression: When a New Mother Loses her Smile
Video
Recovering From Depression and Difficulty: Finding Meaning in Adversity
National Resources
Anti-Violence Project offers a 24-hour English/Spanish hotline for L.G.B.T.Q.+ experiencing abuse or hate-based violence – 212-714-1141
National Domestic Violence Hotline is available around the clock in more than 200 languages: call 800-799-SAFE, chat with an advocate, or text LOVEIS to 22522
Local Resources
California
Maitri – 888-862-4874
Massachusetts
Saheli offers non-judgmental culturally sensitive domestic violence services for South Asian women and families in Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Punjabi, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Nepali and Arabic
New Jersey
New Jersey Suicide Prevention Hopeline Call 24/7 1-855-654-6735
Domestic Violence Programs in each NJ county
Women Rising – 201-333-5700
Morristown Agency for Domestic Violence
Link to DV Coalition in Trenton NJ
Manavi – 732-435-1414 or [email protected]
New York
SAKHI – 212-868-6741
North Carolina
Kiran Inc
Texas
Daya – 713-981-7645
Articles
Domestic Violence – When you feel trapped
Podcast
Free eBook
Download this free ebook by Sri Dhira Chaitanyaji
Bereavement and Final Samskara in Hindu Tradition
“Coping with Death: A Spiritual Perspective” with Shri Dhira Chaitanyaji
The video series deals with the role that spirituality plays when dealing with the loss lot a loved one through various faiths (Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, etc.). It also sheds light on the complex rituals surrounding the time of death.
Buddies of New Jersey support groups in Essex and Bergen counties
Hyacinth AIDS Foundation or 732-246-0204
New Jersey AIDS Hotline: 800-624-2377
Bollywood Movies
AIDS Jaago movie series: Migration – Part1
AIDS Jaago movie series: Migration – Part 2
Prarambha by Santosh Sivan (no audio due to copyright)
Awareness and Support
DesiRainbow Parents and Allies
Family Acceptance Project
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association medical provider directory
Gender Spectrum
Human Rights Campaign
Is a Loved One Gay?
It Gets Better Project
Desi LGBTQ helpline for South Asians – 908-367-3374
LGBTQ+ video series – Opening Doors
National Center for Transgender Equality
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Parents, Families, Friends, and Allies of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
The Trevor Project suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth – 866-488-7386
LGBTQ+ Community Resources for College Students
School Resources
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
Stomp Out Bullying
Trans Student Educational Resources
Gender and Sexualities Alliance (GSA)
Education
National LGBT Health Education Center
The Gender Wheel
The Gender Book
The Gender Unicorn
Legal
Lambda Legal
Transgender Law Center
Bollywood Movies
Hansal Mehta’s 2016 film Aligarh is considered to be one of the most mature portrayal of the community. It is a story of the AMU professor, played by Manoj Vajpayee.
My Brother Nikhil
National Resources
American Psychiatric Association – information about common mental disorders
Mental Health America – see what mental illness feels like
Local Resources
California
South Asian Network – Health and well-being resources, civic engagement, violence prevention and intervention
Illinois
Sanjeevani – Free support and counseling for mental health concerns or domestic abuse; available 24×7 for men, women, youth, and seniors by phone, email, or in person; services are available in several South Asian languages (Chicago)
Maryland
Pro Bono Counseling Project – Free therapy for families, couples, and individuals
Massachusetts
Mental Health Resource Guide – Boston
Michigan
South Asian Womens Association (SAWA) – Advocacy for South Asian women (Lansing)
New Jersey
Manavi – Culturally specific support services, counseling, legal aid, transitional housing, and other services for South Asian women victims of violence
PerformCare helps families across New Jersey (If you are under the age of 21 and looking for treatment or other services, call 1-877-652-7624.)
Wafa House – Counseling, crisis intervention, legal and social services for victims of violence
New York
New York City Mental Health Resources
Articles
Are Indians in the U.S. more successful than the Indians in India?
Cool May Not be Cool: The forces of peer pressure
Gambling: Are you a gambler? How it affects your family
About Psychotherapy:
Tips to help quit smoking – stop smoking guide or call 800-QUIT-NOW
Is your family struggling to cope with substance use of a loved one? As a family member of someone struggling with substance use you have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others who have faced similar problems. You are not alone. You can call one of the following people:
- Prem – speaks English, Punjabi, Hindi and Gujarati: 908-601-2424
- Mook – speaks English: 908-510-5706
- Sowjanya – speaks English, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and can understand Marathi: 732-522-0444
AA Meetings for South Asians
Global Gratitude Group AA (formerly called South Asian AA) – virtual meeting Mondays and Thursdays 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET
Desi’s In Recovery Palo Alto AA Meeting – Saturdays at 7:00 PM ET
Join Desi’s meeting
Dial by your location:
669-900 6833 US (San Jose)
346-248 7799 US (Houston)
253-215 8782 US (Tacoma)
929-436 2866 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 839 89597017
Password: 164
AA Mangalore Online Group Hindi – daily at 10:30 AM ET
Join Mangalore meeting
Find your local number
Meeting ID: 7570178064
Password: 123456
Nepali Language AA Meetings – Fridays 8:15 PM – 9:30 PM ET
Join Nepali meeting
Meeting ID: 8366539470
Password (if needed): 12345
[email protected]
Information & Resources
Can your drinking habits affect your health? Find out at Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and your Health
Alcoholism and AA – A Personal story
Alcoholism in the Punjabi Community, a helpful resource from Sab Ke Seva
Substance Use Resource Guide 2023
Drug information portal – U.S. National Institutes of Health
Behavioral health treatment services locator or 800-662-HELP (4357)
Legal interventions to reduce overdose mortality – Good Samaritan laws
Naloxone – potentially life-saving medication for opioid overdose
Prevent Opioid Use Disorder – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Rx awareness campaign
Articles
Jonathan’s story – No Family is Safe from this Epidemic
Signs and symptoms of someone with a drug use problem
Is Drinking Bad for you? It Depends on the Liver
Medical Consequences of Alcohol
What is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?
So you have Drinking Problem – Learn what can you do about it
Alcohol – An Acceptable Danger?
Living with an Alcoholic. Learn How Al Anon can help.
How much Alcohol is Safe to Drink?
New Jersey Suicide Prevention HOPELINE Call 24/7 1-855-654-6735
2ndfloor.org 2NDFLOOR is a confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey’s youth and young adults; call or text 24/7 at 888-222-2228
Speaking of Suicide – Resources
Helping loved one who is suicidal_SAMHSA Publication
Suicide prevention, awareness, support resources, and support groups in New Jersey
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center Survivor Resources
- New Jersey Suicide Support Groups
- Suicide Aftercare Association New Jersey Support Groups
- Survivors of Suicide Support Group South Madison, NJ
- Surviving Your Child’s Suicide
- Grief Speaks: Suicide Survivors Support Groups in New York and New Jersey
- After suicide attempt – guide for families
- Helping loved one who is suicidal
Articles and Stories
Light at the End of the Tunnel – Depression and Suicide
Preventing Suicide is Everyone’s Business
Suicide Prevention Day Article_Tiranga_09-2020
The Story of Kevin – a story of depression and suicide
SAMHAJ Self Help Groups for South Asian Families in Central New Jersey and Parsippany
SAMHAJ offers monthly peer led support groups for individuals with mental health disorders and their family members. Community members find understanding, emotional support, and education in a warm and friendly environment. See details at naminj.org or download a flyer. Contact: [email protected] or 732-940-0991.
- SAMHAJ Central Jersey Support Group: First Thursday of the month 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM at SNAMI NJ – 1562 Route 130, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
- SAMHAJ North Jersey Support Group: First Sunday of the month 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library System – 449 Halsey Rd, Parsippany, NJ 07054
- For peers with lived experience of mental illness: Third Wednesday of the month 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM at SAMHAJ NJ – 1562 Route 130, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Jana Raksha Community Care Program for the Hindu Community at the Arsha Bodha Center – New Jersey
The Jana Raksha Community Care Program offers help to members of the Hindu community in central New Jersey who are coping with physical or emotional distress caused by illness, life events, or family situations. Trained caregivers can provide one-on-one support and referrals to community-based services. For more information, visit the Jana Raksha website or call 732-690-9593.