Mr Sudip Adhikari, President, Punya Foundation, USA
The migrant population is reported to experience higher prevalence of mental health problems in the USA. Further, the suicide incidences among the resettled Bhutanese, particularly among the productive age groups, is concerning and alarming. To promote the wellbeing of Nepali speaking migrant population, Punya Foundation USA organised a mental health first aid training program. The one-day program was organised in Fort Worth, Texas and was supported by various agencies namely, the Office of Refugees Resettlement, Center of Survivors of Torture and the local support group – World Financial Group.
The main objective of the training was to develop a pool of first aid mental health workers from a culturally and linguistically diverse community in Texas. Mr Sudip Adhikari, President of Punya Foundation, USA Chapter, reports 37 individuals with Nepalese and Bhutanese background participated in the program. Trainers Mr Parankush Subedi and Mr Ashok Gurung were appreciated by the attendees for their knowledge and cultural sensitivity. The trainers ran down the common mental health issues faced by the migrant population.
This is the first training program of the kind organised by the Foundation in the USA. It has received appreciation and positive feedback from the community and has potentials to be replicated in other states in the USA, reports Mr Adhikari. The International Board of Punya Foundation thanks Mr Adhikari for taking a lead to organise the program and trainers duo Mr Subedi and Mr Gurung.