I am participating in the Anaheim HYROX race to raise support for the Mental Health Initiative for South Asians (MHISA). Suicide has become the **leading cause of death among South Asians in the U.S. between ages 15–24**, underscoring an urgent public health need.

MHISA is addressing this crisis through evidence-based programming focused on mental health education, destigmatization, and accessible resource development tailored to South Asian-American communities. Their work equips individuals and families with the tools to navigate mental health challenges and strengthens community resilience nationwide.

Your donation will help MHISA expand its impact and continue providing culturally responsive mental health support. Thank you for contributing to this important cause.

Race For Impact - HYROX 

We aim to advance the mental wellbeing of our South Asian community.

In 2021, during their freshman year of college, our founders Ravi Parekh and Aaron Pandian suffered the loss of their close friend and roommate, Farhan, in a tragic murder-suicide where he took the lives of himself and his family. 

Farhan was struggling with a variety of inadequately treated mental illnesses. However, like so many members of the South Asian-American community, his parents simply lacked the tools, resources, and education necessary for providing him the care he needed.

They recognized that, as an immigrant South Asian family, they lacked the tools, resources, and education necessary for providing Farhan the care he needed. The tragedy of Farhan and his family revealed that there are many mental health issues unique to the cultural characteristics of South Asians. Understanding that these environmental factors and structural barriers to effective care created the situation which led to this tragedy, we theorized a youth-led grass-roots advocacy and education initiative that equips South Asian youth and other interested parties with access to tools and resources to understand, process, and empower.

Grass-roots efforts are often inspired by lived experiences. Our passion and drive to bridge the gaps in mental health care for South Asian individuals stem from our lived experiences.

Knowledge is empowering, and part of understanding mental health is to both learn and express empathy for those affected who are unable to receive effective care. To learn not to fear mental illness as a sibling, parent, friend, significant other, or affected individual and employ newly acquired tools that work to connect with the resources they need. 

MHISA embodies these ideals and provides us an outlet to engage those around us with a shared goal: to enable South Asians struggling with mental illness to lead better and healthful lives.

Mental Health Initiative for South Asians

148788709

1578280819

1873740264

2052641908

2088874155

We are a nonprofit, so instead of charging fees we rely on the generosity of donors like you.

Choose a donation for Every.org

2109878826

2140519340

2249891241

2310049938

2551237796

2576076625

2594001433

283252266

2883383521

3026174861

316638097

338811242

3705164611

3842241318

3934974605

4167807122

440668958

1287028958

2729980760

2939442496

3440869557

671754822

87081813

1014384873

1112422858

153399038

2028390811

220342792

2266630408

2519810400

2539558839

2826465835

2843798242

2898624300

3259439560

339774024

3642494300

3902459442

4250940449

472232120

585491400

641510716

91682487

Mental Health Initiative for South Asians

Race For Impact - HYROX

Mental Health Initiative for South Asians

Donors

Become a supporter!

Become a supporter!

Mental Health Initiative for South Asians