In communities as diverse as Plainsboro and West Windsor, cross-cultural understanding and acceptance is critical for residents of all ages. Learn how to close the gap between cultures and understand how to accept and welcome cultures other than your own at “Bridging the Gap: Opening Communication with South Asian Communities . . . One Conversation at a Time.”
This interactive workshop will be provided by the Indian Foundation of Metropolitan Princeton in collaboration with South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network on Saturday, June 18, at 2 p.m. at Plainsboro Public Library. The event is free and open to ages 10 and up but registration is required.
Writes Sanjay Phanse, IFMP president: “In most cultures it remains taboo to discuss mental health, especially stress the kids face in today’s hyper competitive world coupled with the stress from growing up between two different cultures for kids from South Asian families.
“We all want our kids to succeed but not all stress is good stress. The seminar will discuss the topic of mental health in a non-judgmental way and help attendees understand the underlying stress inducing factors and learn ways to create open communications within families to reduce stress.”
Panelists Sudha Wadhwani, Psy. D, Priti Shah, Ph.D, and Vasudev Makhija, MD, DLFAPA will run the workshop.
Wadhwani is a staff psychologist and outreach coordinator for Counseling and Psychological Services at Montclair State University, where she helps students develop and become the best they can be through counseling and psychology.
Shah is a licensed psychologist and assistant director of outreach and prevention at Seton Hall University, where she has led programs on stigma reduction, suicide prevention, accessibility of mental health information, and peer-led education.
Makhija, founder and president of the South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network, works to address mental health needs in the South Asian community by giving lectures, leading workshops, and attending national and international conferences. He has been a psychiatrist in private practice for more than 25 years and is also a clinical associate professor at Seton Hall’s medical school.
The goal of the Bridging the Gap workshop is to teach people to understand the cultures their children are growing up around and how to interact with people of other cultures. The workshop will also touch on the gender barriers within South Asian families. The panelists will make clear the importance of developing a diverse family identity and respecting all cultures as well as how to teach children about their own family histories and values.
Bridging the Gap: Opening Communication with South Asian Communities, Plainsboro Public Library, 9 Van Doren Street. Saturday, June 18, 2 p.m. Free. Register. E-mail ifmp@ifmpnj.org for information. www.ifmpnj.org or 609-297-7116.
