Mental HealtH ORGANIZATIONS FOR SOUTH ASIANS
A number of nationwide and state-level mental health organizations cater to the South Asian community. These organizations provide services and asistance in specific areas.
”Healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step.” Mariska Hargitay
There are many organizations that provide assistance with specific mental health or LGBTQ related issues to the South Asian community. The list below details some of these organizations and the services they provide in various states.
UNITED STATES
DeQH
Desi LGBTQ Helpline for South Asians
908-367-3374 Thursdays, 8-10 PM Eastern (5-7 PM Pacific) Sundays, 8-10 PM Eastern (5-7 PM Pacific)
MannMukti
Decrease mental health stigma in the South Asian community.
I-AM SHAKTI
Social justice movement to support South Asian Americans facing mental health challenges and share their stories.
ALABAMA
AshaKiran
24 hour crisis line, emergency shelter, case management, advocacy, interpretation services, translations services, counseling, referrals, and transportation.
24 hour Hopeline: (256)-509-1882 and Toll free Crisis line: (800)-793-3010
ARIZONA
Arizona South Asians For Safe Families (ASAFSF)
Domestic violence advocacy, translation services, transportation, immediate financial assistance for emergency situations, legal resources, shelter connection, and helping South Asians navigate through the system.
CALIFORNIA
South Asian Community Health Promotion Services (SACHPS) at Portia Bell Hume Behavioral Health and Training Center
Prevention and early intervention services for individuals, couples, and families; Support group and workshops. Culturally sensitive services available in many South Asian languages.
http://www.humecenter.org/south-asian-community-health-promotion-services
(510) 745-9151
Maitri
Supporting South Asian women experiencing domestic abuse, cultural displacement, or unresolved conflict. Provides referrals to mainstream organizations, information and informal peer counseling, free transportation, translation/interpretation services, assisting the women to write their resumes, apply for jobs and look for places to live, provide grants and loans to women in need for legal, counseling, rental and living expenses as well as for school tuition and driving lessons, and transitional housing.
Toll Free Helpline: 1-888-8MAITRI (1-888-862-4874) Local Helpline: 1-408-436-8398
Live Helpline Hours: 9am – 1pm (PST)
Narika
Toll-free helpline for South Asian women experiencing domestic abuse, providing clients with legal, housing, counseling, benefits, job referrals, and interpretation services; servings as accompaniments for clients; SEED program created to help clients establish economic independence and self-reliance; and support groups.
1-800-215-7308 or 1-510-444-6048
Sahara
Provides survivors of abuse with shelter, legal services, and counseling. Support for South Asian older adults including specialized care management, assistance with navigating the health, public benefits systems, essential mental health support, and community linkages. Summer programs for youth to develop tools on how to be agents of change.
24 Hour Toll-Free Helpline: 1-888-SAHARA2 (1-888-724-2722)
South Asian Network (SAN)
Provides free to low-cost individual, group, family, and couples counseling for adults and children. Education, case management, and advocacy for survivors of abuse. Health access and addressing civil rights for community members.
MySahana
Reducing mental health stigma and increasing mental health awareness by providing educational workshops and information about emotional health issues and culturally sensitive coping strategies.
Trikone
Provides an empowering environment, awareness, visibility, and resources (i.e. legal, health, education) for LGBTQ South Asians and their allies
Satrang
Provides awareness for South Asian LGBTQ-identified individuals through social, advocacy-related events, and educational events.
CONNECTICUT
Sneha, Inc.
Supports South Asian women survivors of domestic violence by providing referrals to mental health therapist, physicians, and attorney; network with community agencies on behalf of their clients; help finding native- language speakers to serve as confidential liaison between client and community.
24 hour confidential helpline support: 1 -800-58-SNEHA
GEORGIA
Raksha, Inc.
Provides crisis intervention, employment and educational services, individual and family counseling, referrals, legal and victim advocacy, interpretation and translation services, monthly support groups, and peer support for South Asian survivors of violence
ILLINOIS
Apna Ghar, Inc
Provides safe housing, counseling, legal advocacy, supervised visitation and safe exchange, case management, and policy advocacy for survivors of violence.
24 hour crisis line (773) 334-4663 OR 1-800 717-0757
Hamdard Healthcare
Provides individual psychotherapy, group therapy, substance abuse counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric evaluation, medication, management/monitoring, mental health assessment, comprehensive psychological evaluation for: medical certification for disability exception (N-648) and U-Visa.
Trikone Chicago
Provides an empowering environment, awareness, visibility, and resources (i.e. legal, health, education) for LGBTQ South Asians and their allies.
https://www.trikonechicago.org/
MARYLAND
Asha for Women
Provides career counseling, employment advice, volunteer advocate support, connecting to resources, and free confidential helpline for South Asian women experiencing domestic violence.
Free and confidential helpline 1-888-417-2742
CHAI
(Counselors Helping (South) Asians/Indians, Inc.)
Provides referrals for mental health service, working with local crisis intervention agencies to provide assistance to South Asian clients, resources for crisis intervention and social services, assistance for mentoring South Asian youth, and community outreach for the South Asian community.
http://probonocounseling.org/special_programs/CHAI
(410) 825-1001
(877) 323-5800
(301) 805-8191
MASSACHUSETTS
Saheli
Provides mental health resources, safety planning, educational programs, legal and immigration support, interpretation and translation for police and court, and economic empowerment for South Asian women and their families.
Saheli Helpline:1-866-472-4354
SanghWE
Provides access to affordable psychological services for South Asian survivors of gender-based violence in the US, India, and other South Asian countries.
Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
Emergency shelter, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, safety planning, medical/healthcare advocacy, housing advocacy, referrals, and life skills for East Asian, South, and Southeast Asian communities.
24 Hour Multilingual Hotline: (617)338-2355
Asian Mental Health Program - Cambridge Health Alliance
Provides counseling for South Asian community
https://www.challiance.org/cha-services/specialty-services
(617) 591-6420
MICHIGAN
Michigan Asian Indian Family Center (MAIFS)
Provides crisis intervention and preventive services for South Asian community. Counseling available for abuse, substance abuse, marriage, grief, etc. Interpretation and assistance with legal matters and referrals to emergency shelters, psychologists, physicians, immigration lawyers, social services, employment assistance available for the South Asian community.
https://www.maifs.org/AboutUs.aspx
Helpline: 1-888-664-8624
MINNESOTA
Sewa - Aifw (Asian Indian Family Wellness)
Dedicated to improving family wellness for the Asian Indian and South Asian community. They have the following programs: Health initiatives, Senior’s programs Women's program, and Bhutanese refugee youth program.
24x7: Crisis Line (952) 912 - 9100
AshaUSA
Mental Health Matters: mental health awareness; senior and youth program for the South Asian community.
https://givemn.org/organization/ashausa-471249921
MISSOURI
Saweraa
Counseling, referrals, victim advocacy, case management service, legal advocacy services, and personal support program for the South Asian community.
24/7 Helpline: 314-435-3722
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Saheli
Provides mental health resources, safety planning, educational programs, legal and immigration support, interpretation and translation for police and court, and economic empowerment for South Asian women and their families.
Saheli Helpline:1-866-472-4354
NEW JERSEY
Manavi
Provides crisis intervention, advocacy, culturally sensitive counseling, court and medical accompaniment, women’s support group, legal clinic and referrals, immigration relief and gender asylum, interpreter services, economic empowerment, safe home, transportation, and training assistance for South Asian survivors of violence.
http://www.manavi.org/home.html
24 hours Hotline: 1-732-435-1414
SAMHAJ (NAMI, New Jersey)
Provides education, support groups, and advocacy for South Asian dealing with mental illness.
https://www.naminj.org/programs/multicultural/samhaj/
South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network
Decrease mental health stigma and shame and offers resources for South Asians seeking mental health services; free South Asian Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in Central New Jersey.
NEW YORK
Saathi of Rochester
Provides crisis intervention, safety planning, immigration service, legal assistance & court accompaniment, safe housing & resettlement assistance, education & career counseling, financial counseling, advocacy, and referrals for South Asian community members experiencing domestic violence.
https://www.saathiofrochester.org/
saathi_rochester@yahoo.com
Help line (585)-234-1050
Sakhi for South Asian Women
Provides domestic violence and sexual assault services, crisis intervention, emotional support, referrals to short- and longterm counseling, crisis intervention, legal support, translation assistance, youth empowerment program, low-cost or free health consultations/exams, and economic empowerment program for South Asian women survivors of domestic violence.
contactus@sakhi.org
Helpline: (212) 868-6741
Islamic Center of Long Island
Confidential counseling services
http://www.icliny.com/islamic-counseling-on-long-island-new-york/
info@childrenofadam.us or call the ICLI main office at (516) 333-3495
Domestic Harmony Foundation
Support groups. individual counseling, emotional support, evaluations, youth counseling, pre-marital counseling, advocacy, referrals for financial assistance, referrals for legal services, legal consultation, and interpretation services for South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Muslim women who are experiencing domestic violence in Long Island.
Helpline: (516) 385-8292
Desi Rainbow Parents/API Rainbow Parents of PFLAG NYC
Provides support groups and safe space for South Asian and Asian-Pacific Islander (API) families and LGBT youth and adults.
SALGA NYC
Provides support groups for South Asian individuals who identify as queer and it provides a safe space for South Asian of all sexual and gender identities.
Sapna NYC
Asha Depression Treatment program which provides psychoeducation and strategies for South Asian women.
Turning Point for Women and Families
Crisis intervention, individual counseling, support groups, mentoring teenage girls, referrals to legal services and advocacy for Muslim and girls who have affected by domestic violence.
NORTH CAROLINA
Kiran, Inc
Provides safety planning, translation assistance, secure housing, empowerment, resource referrals, secondary family services, and client advocacy for South Asians experiencing domestic violence.
24-hour crisis line: 1-877-625-4726
OHIO
ASHA-Ray of Hope
Provides safety-planning, case management, advocacy in court and legal services, survivor support group, interpretation services, assistance in accessing services (counseling, housing, etc.) for South Asian individuals and families experiencing domestic violence.
asharayofhope@sbcglobal.net
24x7HELP LINE: 614.565.2918
OREGON
South Asian Women’s Empowerment and Resources Alliance (SAWERA)
Counseling, victim advocacy, referrals, case management, legal advocacy, and personal support program for South Asian women.
24/7 free helpline: 314-435-3722
Asha International-SAATHI
South Asian mental health outreach program to increase awareness about mental health and improve access to mental health services for the South Asian community.
https://myasha.org/programs/saathi/
TEXAS
Daya Houston
Crisis intervention, counseling and groups, short- and longterm advocacy, referrals, translation & interpretation services, legal advocacy, housing assistance, and limited financial assistance for South Asian women, their children and families who are experiencing abuse.
Office Phone number: (713) 842-7222
Chetna
Case management, client education, contracted therapy program,
support groups, emergency loan program, and flexible transitional housing program for South Asians experiencing domestic violence.
Helpline: 1-888-924-3862 (M-F, 8:30am to 5:00pm)
An-Nisa Hope Center
Crisis intervention, counseling, legal assistance, support services, classes, and food pantry for the Muslim community.
https://www.annisahopecenter.org/
Email/Phone
Helpline: (832) 324-9111; 9AM to 6PM Monday- Saturday
Asian Family Support Services of Austin (AFSSA)
Crisis intervention, case management, advocacy for legal and immigration matters, individual and group counseling and hotline services, and basic needs assistance for survivors of gender-based violence.
Helpline: 1-877-281-8371
WASHINGTON
API Chaya
Survivor support services, support groups for survivors of sexual abuse/assault and human trafficking, and referrals for housing, legal and immigration assistance, mental health, food, and financial assistance programs for South Asian, Asian, Pacific Islander, and other immigrant communities. Website:
Helpline: 1-877-922-4292/206-325-0325
Helpline Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm
Trikone
Provides an empowering environment, awareness, visibility, and resources (i.e. legal, health, education) for LGBTQ South Asians and their allies.
http://www.trikonenw.org/#portfolioModal3
WASHINGTON D.C.
KhushDC
Provides support groups and safe environment for South Asian LGBTQ and additional gender or sexual minority.