Break the silence.  This theme reverberated countless times throughout the “Emotional Well-Being and Positive Mental Health Awareness Symposium” on September 14, 2014, a first symposium for Saheli, a South Asian nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic violence and promoting positive wellbeing in the South Asian community.  This symposium marked the first occasion a South Asian non-profit devoted an entire day to emotional health awareness.  Presenters enthusiastically advocated for inclusion of cultural perspectives in the healthcare interaction between healthcare professionals and patients.  Furthermore, the speakers courageously shared insight and research about stigmatized content, namely mental health and domestic violence.  

The philosophy, “wellness is not a destination, it is way of life,” quoted by Raj Sharma at this symposium embodied the ideology of this symposium, as presenters covered the issues comprehensively from personal, research, and healthcare administrative perspectives.   The resounding mantra, advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and individuals struggling with emotional well-being issues, chimed cohesively with the sounding of the gong meditation that echoed during the symposium panel intermissions, directed by Guru Jiwan Singh.  The symposium kick off by the symposium Chair, Dr. Kumkum Pareek Malik, stated that Saheli believes in positive goals, and that emotional well-being for the entire community is the goal of this initiative.  The beginning remarks from Eric Schultz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harvard Pilgrim Health, emphasized the importance of inclusion and communication in the healthcare setting.  Schultz introduced the new and innovative program, Eastern Harmony at Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, providing services in complementary and alternative medicine, such as chiropractic, acupuncture and a diverse array of mind-body service offerings.  Schultz stated that embracing differences leads to better health.

Dr. Nick Covino, President of the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, emphasized the importance of speaking about mental health and domestic violence.  Covino stated that in talking about these issues, society clarifies, educates, creates consensus, and then cultural norms will change.  Geeta Aiyer, Saheli activist, provided a historic synopsis of the foundation of Saheli, how the group meetings started as small meetings in the Boston Public Library in 1997, in order to provide economic support to women.  Since this time, Saheli has grown to an organization of over 140 women.  Aiyer shared the insight that violence against women transcends age, race and religion.  Saheli’s vision is to view men as allies and families as supportive pillars.

During the first symposium panel, “Domestic Violence: Narratives of Resilence,” Dr. Tummala-Nara, Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology at Boston College, introduced research in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for youth and adult immigrants.  Dr. Diya Kallivayalil, staff psychologist at the Cambridge Health Alliance and instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, stated that the prevalence rate of domestic violence in society is 20% - 40%, but that domestic violence is underreported.  Dr. Kallivayalil noted that the consequences of domestic violence include injuries, chronic pain, suicidality, and sleep loss.  Kallivayalil explained that domestic violence victims do not seek help because of the cultural stigmatization surrounding domestic violence and the tendency to only view the family as a source of support, negating outside support systems.  Interventions for domestic violence victims encompass introspection, goal advancement, empowerment, reclaiming one’s sense of self, while providing the victim with comprehensive medical, legal, and mental health resources. Dr. Manju Sheth, a Board Certified Internist at Lahey Health, expressed that first responders play a key role in domestic violence identification.  Dr. Sheth revealed that the only circumstance in which the victims are allowed to leave home are for physical symptoms and that healthcare providers should be extremely vigilant in identifying cases of abuse as early as possible.

In the second symposium panel, “The Invisibility of Motherhood,” symposium speakers discussed the concept of motherhood and the critical, but unnoticed role that mothers play in the development of their children.  Dr. Kumkum Malik, a clinical psychologist, counsels mothers and teaches women to acknowledge their accomplishments as mothers.  Dr. Malik stated that a mother struggles because of lack of appreciation by society that motherhood is hard work.  Mothers may become angry, resentful, and ill from being unrecognized for their constant labor.  Dr. Malik works with mothers on two key strategies, specifically emotional regulation and effective parenting, depending on the needs of the client.  Malik counsels her clients to respect their work as mothers with the overarching goal of creating centered, strong, and vibrant mothers.  

Poonam Ahluwalia, President of the Youth Entrepreneurship and Sustainability (YES) Inc., spoke about balancing motherhood with her career.  In developing innovative programs, specifically, the YES Campaign and YouthTrade, Ahluwalia provided a global platform for youth driven entrepreneurship, an intervention to fight poverty.  Through her career endeavors, Ahluwalia’s personal love for her children sustained her, giving her the willpower to cope with obstacles.  Ahluwalia advocated for reaching a marital agreement with one’s spouse on the principles and values of raising children.  She emphasized that the emotional health of the family hinges on the mother’s role.  Dr. Sajani Shah-Kapasi, moderator of this panel, said that she could not think of a more vital issue for young women than hwo to develop strength and vibrancy for themselves.

Perspectives on male gender socialization contributed to the diversity of the conference discussion with the third conference panel, “Precarious Manhood: Understanding Manhood and Men’s Vulnerabilities.” Dr. Joseph Vandello, Professor of Psychology at the University of South Florida, shared his social psychology laboratory research about the socialization of boys.  An pivotal question of Vandello’s intellectual approach is “What does it mean to be a man?.”  He stated that it is critical for men to share in the discussion about abuse, as this subject is a human issue, in addition to being a gender or feminine issue.  He stated that men should raise awareness when family and friends experience abuse in relationships.  He highlighted the results of his social psychological experimental research, which revealed that when male undergraduate college students engaged in behavior that was stereotypically feminine, such as applying pink hand lotion to their skin, the research participants acted out more aggressively stereotypical male behavior, exemplified in striking a punching bag.

Dr. Subrata Das, co-founder and director of the Stage Ensemble Theater Unit, Setu, presented drama performances about domestic violence and abuse within the South Asian cultural context.  These plays illuminated the vulnerable role of women in the context of marriage, if the husband becomes abusively dominant.  Also, the plays educated the symposium audience about South Asian culture, in that some women are “bought” for marriage and lack equality within their marriage.  The actors displayed the relationship tension with a deep commitment and authenticity to South Asian culture.  After the plays finished, Das stated that children observe all the actions of their parents, upon addressing cultural family dynamics.

In introducing the fourth symposium Panel, “Building Resiliency in Teens: The Demands upon a Teenager in this Culture,” Dr. Bonie Bagchi Williamson, Saheli Program Coordinator, revealed a common insight on human existence, that suffering is integrated in the human condition and the way out of suffering is to help others who are suffering.  Williamson illuminated that Saheli’s mission represents this philosophy, in that it “makes fractured lives whole.”  

Dr. Matcheri Keshavan, Stanley R. Cobb Professor and Vice-Chair of Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Harvard Medical School summarized the teenage years as a turbulent time.  Keshavan stated that the two main challenges of the teenage years, according to adolescent brain development, are transitioning from being smart to wise and from being dependent on parents to forming one’s autonomous identity.  Keshavan taught that during teenage years, adolescents learn emotional regulation, in addition to dealing with the onset of psychopathology in individuals prone to mental illness.

As a complement to Keshavan’s summary of the tumultuous teenager years, Dr. Robert Evans, Executive Director of The Human Relations Service, highlighted the cultural differences that become acutely felt throughout the teenager years.  Evans noted that in American culture, there is a unique emphasis on individuation, when compared with other cultures.  Also, in contemporary culture, as opportunities expand, the future predictability in life decreases.  The teenage years are a training ground for practice in problem solving from learning after making mistakes.  Evans advised that parents should build on their children’s strengths, as opposed to attacking character weaknesses.

Symposium attendees listened to Priyanka Subash, a Liscensed Clinical Social Worker, describe her personal teenage story of dealing with her parents’ expectations, in light of American cultural influences.  Her story illustrated the specific instances when she confronted conflicts between the American cultural emphasis on autonomy and the South Asian cultural emphasis on collectivism or family harmony.

After a final gong pounding and crystal bowl meditative music, symposium participants could sample Harvard Pilgrim Health Care complementary and alternative medicine techniques, namely Kundalini yoga, hypnotherapy, crystal bowl meditation, Tai Chi/Qi Gong, acupuncture, massage therapy and reflexology.

Saheli, translated from Hindi to English means friend, a superbly fitting descriptor for an organization that generously gives the emotional and material support needed to victims of abuse, thereby facilitating the victims’ survival and overcoming of harsh violence and obstacles.  Saheli offers a window of hope and empowerment for individuals in compromised social and emotional circumstances.  A true friend accompanies someone in both the favorable times and the negative times, in addition to speaking out against the unjust treatment of a fellow.  Saheli fulfills these pivotal societal expectations, as this organization courageously stands with clients in the darkest of times, in addition to vocally advocating for social responsibility and justice.

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