South Asian Mental Health Alliance

Our "Say / Don't Say" conversation cards for parents have just arrived! These cards are designed to encourage stigma-free, open, and supportive conversations between parents or grandparents and youth. By offering guidance on what to say and what not to say during sensitive discussions, they help create an environment where young people feel heard, respected, and supported. The cards focus on fostering healthy communication and understanding, especially on topics that may traditionally carry stigma, such as mental health or substance use. One version of the card is in English, while the other includes both Gurmukhi and phonetic Punjabi in English. This makes the cards accessible to a wider audience, ensuring that Punjabi-speaking families can also benefit from this valuable resource. The inclusion of both languages helps bridge generational and cultural gaps, allowing for conversations that resonate with both youth and older family members who may be more comfortable speaking Punjabi. These cards will be available at our next outreach event, where families can pick them up in person. We encourage everyone to stop by, learn more about how to use the cards effectively, and take part in creating stigma-free spaces for our youth. By providing these tools, we aim to support healthy dialogue and strengthen the bonds between parents, grandparents, and youth in our community. Thank you so much to the teams from FamilySmart and the Students Overcoming Substance Use Disorder & Addictions - SOUDA • ਸੋਧਾ for your invaluable support.

Too often, large organizations and governments accuse Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities of not collaborating. The reality, however, is that many of these organizations consistently exclude these communities from decision-making processes and funding opportunities. We're often tokenized by health authorities, governments and large organizations for diversity initiatives and advertising campaigns, but when asked why their services fail to be culturally safe, language-appropriate, or equitable, there's rarely a meaningful answer. If you won't give us a seat at the table, we will inevitably build our own. This is what inspired the creation of the South Asian Mental Health Alliance (SAMHAA). SAMHAA was founded out of the need to create mental health support systems that truly serve our communities, and this mission continues to drive our work today. Alongside initiatives like SOUDA (Students Overcoming Substance Use Disorder and Addictions), we are addressing critical issues that mainstream systems overlook, making mental health and addiction recovery spaces more inclusive and accessible. At SAMHAA, we believe that change is possible when communities come together with a shared vision for justice and inclusion. Our work is driven by individuals who refuse to accept the status quo and challenge systems that have historically overlooked or harmed us. We’ve created our own table not just for the South Asian community but for anyone who has been marginalized and silenced. Together, we are building spaces where our voices matter, where mental health care is not just accessible but culturally meaningful, and where healing is a collective journey. We know the road to equity is long, but we are not discouraged. Every step forward is a testament to the strength of our communities and the power of our resilience. SAMHAA and SOUDA are here not just to respond to the gaps left by mainstream services but to transform how mental health and addiction recovery are approached for future generations. We invite allies and partners who are committed to genuine collaboration, who understand that real change happens when marginalized voices lead. The time for change is now. We cannot afford to keep operating within the confines of systems that were never designed for us. We must work together to dismantle inequities, to create culturally safe, equitable spaces for mental health and addiction support. Let’s collaborate, let’s listen, and let’s build a better, more inclusive future together.

Join the SOUDA team this weekend at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey

At a recent Surrey Community Action Team meeting, a vital conversation took place around the Vaapsi Program, funded by United Sikhs, which offers an innovative approach to recovery. Vaapsi, meaning "returning" in Punjabi, is designed to provide culturally relevant support for South Asian individuals struggling with addiction, particularly within the Punjabi-speaking Sikh community. The program’s strength lies in its deep connection to the cultural and spiritual practices that many participants hold dear, offering them a path to recovery that feels approachable, rather than alienating. The program offers more than just typical recovery tools—it integrates Punjabi cuisine, language-specific education (in both English and Punjabi), and access to Sikh congregations, allowing participants to engage with their faith in a supportive way. This holistic approach acknowledges the importance of community, culture, and faith in healing, making the recovery journey far more personalized and effective. It is especially significant for individuals who often feel disconnected in mainstream recovery programs that don’t address these aspects of their identity. One of Vaapsi's unique features is its flexibility; for example, someone in recovery from fentanyl addiction is allowed to have a cigarette if it helps them manage. This compassion-centered approach avoids rigid rules, offering participants a way to focus on larger recovery goals without feeling judged or excluded. Crucially, Vaapsi doesn’t isolate participants. Instead, the program encourages them to gradually take on responsibilities within the community, which fosters reintegration and reduces the risk of relapse. The connection to the community is vital, as isolation can often lead to further substance use. By participating in activities that build their sense of purpose and belonging, individuals are more likely to maintain their recovery in the long term. The South Asian Mental Health Alliance is proud to support the work of Vaapsi, recognizing its potential to reshape recovery for marginalized communities. By blending cultural sensitivity with practical addiction support, the program provides hope for individuals and families facing the crisis of addiction. Vaapsi represents not just a return to sobriety, but a return to one’s roots, culture, and community—a path forward that holds hope for a brighter, more inclusive future for those affected by addiction.

Today, on World Mental Health Day, we come together to acknowledge the urgent need for solutions to British Columbia’s mental health challenges—particularly in the wake of the toxic drug crisis and the post-pandemic mental health crisis. The weight of these crises has touched many lives, and it is more important than ever to focus on community-driven solutions that support mental wellness. The South Asian Mental Health Alliance (SAMHAA) is at the forefront of these efforts, championing mental health in culturally sensitive and accessible ways. Their initiatives, like the South Asian women’s retreat and Fijian youth retreat, create safe spaces for healing, connection, and growth. SAMHAA has also launched unique programs like South Asian trucker’s mental health training and peer-led harm reduction outreach through SOUDA, Students Overcoming Substance Disorder and Addiction, empowering communities often underserved in mental health services. The members of team SOUDA are pushing the envelope in their respective fields, working on solutions around translation, research, training and policy development. SAMHAA's work doesn’t stop there. They’re developing vital resources to tackle stigma and open conversations around mental health. Today, we proudly announce the launch of a new conversation starter card, developed in Punjabi, in partnership with Family Smart. This resource will help parents start important dialogues with their children about mental health—creating stronger, healthier families across generations. Please contact us if you'd like a physical copy. To download the PDF visit: https://lnkd.in/ez2QKNrc SAMHAA and SOUDA are also proud to support Vaapsi, a new men's substance use recovery home funded by United Sikhs, located in Surrey. Already this year, 3 men have used the service during their time of need and received timely, culturally relevant, language specific support. To learn more visit: https://lnkd.in/gDicU72Z Let’s continue working toward solutions that uplift and support every person’s mental health journey. Together, we can turn the tide on these crises with empathy, understanding, and action.

SOUDA x SAMHAA representatives were honoured to attend the Youth Congress 2024, organized by Voice For Rights International at UBC! We had the pleasure to connect with likeminded youth leaders and diplomats, and we learned much from the experienced and esteemed speakers. We discussed the work SOUDA has been doing to combat the #DrugToxicityCrisis in the South Asian community, as well as the need for more #MentalHealthAwareness. We are thankful to S. Kulpreet Singh, Founder & Director of SAMHAA and advisor to SOUDA, for arranging this opportunity. Thank you to SOUDA Directors and SAYMH Ambassadors Karambir Singh and Tajdeep Singh, SOUDA outreach volunteers Hershdeep Singh and Sandeep Singh, and SAYMH Ambassadors Rajdeep Singh Brar and Aman Saini for attending as delegates from our organizations. #SubstanceUse #DrugPoisoningCrisis #OverdoseAwareness #Overdose #OverdosePrevention #EndOverdose #BCPoli #NaloxoneSavesLives #EndOverdose #HarmReduction #Naloxone

Our Director & Founder, Gurkirat Singh Nijjar, recently appeared on CBC Early Edition to discuss how the #DrugToxicityCrisis is affecting post-secondary students and why post-secondary institutions should do more to prevent drug poisonings. This comes after the tragic death of a University of Victoria student from overdose. Gurkirat Singh talked about how from our post-secondary schools to healthcare system, there is significant failure in handling drug overdoses and #SubstanceUse, which is leading to more loss of life. #DrugPoisoningCrisis #OverdoseAwareness #Overdose #OverdosePrevention #EndOverdose #BCPoli #NaloxoneSavesLives #EndOverdose #HarmReduction #Naloxone South Asian Mental Health Alliance https://lnkd.in/g4hnp2X5

Our Co-Director Karan Bains presented his research at the 8th Cascade RAIN Mathematics Meeting in Portland, Oregon. He is working on compartmental models of opioid use disorder and treatment in BC. The RAIN Meeting is a gathering of researchers for rapid and informal communication of ongoing research activities in computational and applied mathematics in the Pacific Northwest region.

SOUDA is back for the summer! Join us this evening at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, where we will be conducting overdose response and prevention outreach and #naloxone training. #DrugToxicityCrisis #EndOverdose #OverdoseAwareness #EndDrugPoisoning #NaloxoneSavesLives #HarmReduction

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