mental health resources

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.

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 very specific and very 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

Article  – Domestic Violence – When you feel trapped

Podcast Series on Domestic Violence (click title of each video to listen):

Episode 1: Prevalence and Impact

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 is here to offer 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

Bereavement and Final Samskara in Hindu TraditionFree 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.

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 counselling for mental health concerns or domestic abuse; available 24×7 for men, women, youth, and seniors by phone, email, or in person; services are also 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 Helping Families Across New Jersey. If you are under the age of 21 and looking for treatment or other services, check out this resource or 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 Indians in India?

I need a drink. Do you? How much is too much?

Light at the End of the Tunnel – Depression and Suicide

Marijuana – Healing or Damaging

Cool May Not be Cool: The forces of peer pressure

Tips to help quit smoking – stop smoking guide or call 800-QUIT-NOW

Can your drinking habits affect your health? Find out at Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and your Health

Alcoholism and AA- A Personal story

Are you a 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 meetings every Monday and Thursday 8:00 PM -9:00 PM EST.

What is AA – in Hindi

Desi’s In Recovery Palo Alto AA Meeting – Saturdays 4:00 PM PT (7:00 PM ET)
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 – daily at 11:30 AM ET
Join Mangalore Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6469587618?pwd=SW5pRHV3WXVHdXgyS2Z3Z2ZGejl5Zz09
Meeting ID: 6469587618
Password: 123456
Find your local number

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

 2023Behavioral 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

What is addiction?

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.