Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | Apr 5, 2019 |
We are delighted to share that the New Year was off to a great start! In January, our Storytellers reached nearly 500 students at local high schools through our Let’s Talk About Mental Program. Here is some of the heartwarming feedback: “This presentation showed me that everything gets better and to never lose hope. Also, it helped me realize my resources and showed me that I’m never alone.” “I used to feel suicidal, and have autism, and anxiety. This presentation taught me ways to positively cope with them and not be afraid to speak up and talk to others about my mental health.” “I found that hearing other people’s stories helped me feel normal and know that there is hope.” “Because I have dealt with mental health issues a lot in the past, it was nice to hear other people’s stories and how they got better.” “You provided a safe place where people could ask questions if they didn’t understand. Also, in each story, I connected to at least one thing. This program needs to be presented at every school!” We are most grateful for the ninety-four hand-written thank you letters from the students at Century High...
Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | Nov 3, 2018 |
Thanks to each and every one of our supporters for joining us at our annual fundraising event to celebrate our impact over the last eleven years, and partner with us as we embark on another exciting year dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and wellness in schools, at work, and in the community. Together, we are giving hope and changing lives. Photos from the Event 2018-ASHA-COH-22018-ASHA-COH-62018-ASHA-COH-82018-ASHA-COH-92018-ASHA-COH-112018-ASHA-COH-122018-ASHA-COH-132018-ASHA-COH-142018-ASHA-COH-152018-ASHA-COH-172018-ASHA-COH-182018-ASHA-COH-192018-ASHA-COH-202018-ASHA-COH-212018-ASHA-COH-222018-ASHA-COH-232018-ASHA-COH-242018-ASHA-COH-252018-ASHA-COH-262018-ASHA-COH-272018-ASHA-COH-282018-ASHA-COH-292018-ASHA-COH-302018-ASHA-COH-312018-ASHA-COH-322018-ASHA-COH-332018-ASHA-COH-342018-ASHA-COH-352018-ASHA-COH-362018-ASHA-COH-372018-ASHA-COH-382018-ASHA-COH-392018-ASHA-COH-402018-ASHA-COH-412018-ASHA-COH-422018-ASHA-COH-432018-ASHA-COH-442018-ASHA-COH-452018-ASHA-COH-462018-ASHA-COH-472018-ASHA-COH-482018-ASHA-COH-492018-ASHA-COH-502018-ASHA-COH-512018-ASHA-COH-522018-ASHA-COH-532018-ASHA-COH-542018-ASHA-COH-552018-ASHA-COH-562018-ASHA-COH-572018-ASHA-COH-582018-ASHA-COH-592018-ASHA-COH-602018-ASHA-COH-612018-ASHA-COH-622018-ASHA-COH-632018-ASHA-COH-642018-ASHA-COH-652018-ASHA-COH-662018-ASHA-COH-672018-ASHA-COH-682018-ASHA-COH-692018-ASHA-COH-702018-ASHA-COH-712018-ASHA-COH-722018-ASHA-COH-732018-ASHA-COH-762018-ASHA-COH-772018-ASHA-COH-78Mental Health Champions - Kendra & RubenMentel Health...
Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | Nov 3, 2018 |
According to the report Count Her In published by the Women’s Foundation of Oregon, nearly half of Oregon’s women and girls have experienced childhood trauma such as abuse or neglect. And, Oregon women have the highest incidence of reported depression in the country. On September 28th, we hosted our first annual Grit & Grace: Multicultural Women’s Mental Health Conference a 1-day innovative program to inspire, educate and empower women to take charge of their mental health and cultivate resilience and well-being. Featured speakers included U.S. Olympians Suzy Hamilton and Chamique Holdsclaw, performance artist Kristina Wong, visual artist & peer wellness leader Meghan Caughey, award-winning advocates and authors Dior Vargas and Gayathri Ramprasad, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion leader Sandra Wilborn, and healthcare professionals Dr. Nicole Cirino, Mari Alexander and Pari Mazhar, and yoga teacher Diana Hulet. To learn more about the conference and speakers, please click here… 275 women and a few brave men, including family members and healthcare professionals joined us in a day filled with love, hope and inspiration. Here’s feedback from our participants: “Life changing conference both personally and professionally!” “It was deeply nourishing to be enriched by this diverse, inspiring circle of women sharing their truth. The Grit & Grace Conference was the best conference I have ever attended.” “I just wanted to tell you what an amazing experience the conference was. Last week was a really hard week for me and countless other women emotionally due to what’s going on in our nation right now. The Grit & Grace conference was just what I needed to feel empowered and hopeful again. Thank you so much for the amazing...
Tags: by Phillis Benson | May 29, 2018 |
On May 17th, 2018 in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, ASHA International was delighted to present Grit & Grace, a storytelling show to shine a light on mental health and end stigma, one story at a time. Ten fearless storytellers shared their journey of courage, hope, and resilience with a packed house of 200 people and were honored with a standing ovation. We salute the Grit & Grace of our storytellers, celebrate their resilience and honor their humanity. To learn more about ASHA Storytellers, please click here… We are thrilled to announce our 2nd annual Grit & Grace: Multicultural Women’s Mental Health Conference on Friday, September 27, 2019, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. To learn more, please click here… [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLtxSrSEfyXJlPLU8bU4PL0e8DXOodv7LI&layout=gallery[/embedyt] Photos from the event Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-001Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-002Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-003Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-004Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-005Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-006Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-007Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-008Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-009Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-010Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-011Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-012Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-013Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-014Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-015Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-016Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-017Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-018Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-019Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-020Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-021Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-022Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-023Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-024Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-025Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-026Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-027Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-028Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-029Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-030Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-031Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-032Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-033Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-034Grit + Grace-Andrea Lonas Photography-035Grit +...
Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | Oct 10, 2016 |
Happy World Mental Health Day! Ten years ago, I started ASHA International with a simple wish – to share the lessons I had learned in pain to give hope to at least one person struggling with a mental health issue. Thanks to your love and support, over the years my colleagues and I have had the privilege of reaching out and touching the lives of more than 45,000 people nationally and internationally with a resounding message of hope and healing. According to the World Health Organization, mental health issues impose an enormous disease burden on societies across the world. Between 1990 and 2013, the number of people suffering from depression and/or anxiety increased by nearly 50%, from 416 million to 615 million. Despite its enormous health, social and economic burden, mental disorders continue to be driven into the shadows by stigma, prejudice and fear. At ASHA International, we are dedicated to bringing mental health issues out of the shadows and into the light. We are also dedicated to destigmatizing mental health issues and empowering people to find the treatment and support they need to recover and thrive. Please give the Gift of Hope today, and partner with us as we embark on another exciting decade dedicated to promoting mental health and wellness at home, at school, at work, and in the community. Together, we can change lives, perhaps even save lives. Namaste, Founder & President, ASHA...
Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | May 4, 2016 |
Ever since I met Chacku at a conference nearly a decade ago, he has been a brother and dear friend to me. A loving son, husband and father, Chacku is dedicated to creating a better world for us all. He is the Director of the NAMI STAR Center and a leader in the Peer Movement, a movement that once saved his life. As a toddler, Chacku moved to the U.S. from Kuwait and growing up, he didn’t feel like he belonged. He was bullied at school and watched his parents treated with hostility, and started to mistrust everyone including his family. Feeling unsafe and unable to cope with his feelings of isolation and dread, he got into fights and began using drugs. And, at fifteen, he tried to kill himself. Fortunately, his father sought help at their local church and Chacku discovered peers who empathized with his struggles and inspired him to discover his life’s purpose – to help others like himself. “Our struggles often help us discover who we are, and our purpose in life” Chacku says, “We are the evidence that recovery is possible.” SEE MORE RECOVERY VIDEOS DO YOU HAVE A RECOVERY STORY? Share your story. Give hope. Change a life. Please share your recovery story...
