We live in a time when mental health talk has proliferated. Yet for Asian communities, little has changed, we remain at the fringes of these discussions. ‘Re-imagining Asian Mental Health’ is a bold gathering and call to action – at this hui we’ll look back, with experts who have tirelessly dedicated their lives to advocacy for Asian mental health, to look ahead of us.

We’ll collectively imagine: what does support for ‘Asian’ mental health look like in Aotearoa when we are able to define ourselves, our strengths and our own support needs? How can we collectively move towards that goal? What are the barriers in our way and how do we mobilise to overcome them? 

You’ll hear from key voices building our understanding of Asian mental health, a range of perspectives on how mental health professionals can better work with individuals and communities, and how we can take care of ourselves and each other.

This hui is part of Te Papa’s Asian Mental Health project, alongside a zine and forthcoming video series highlighting different stories and outlooks. The project is led by researcher and activist Mehwish Mughal with the support of Grace Gassin, Curator Asian New Zealand Histories at Te Papa.

Registration is free but essential as places are limited. Your ticket includes lunch.

Speakers

Stay tuned for the full programme, which will be released closer to the hui.

• KEYNOTE – Dr Ruth De Souza (Nurse, academic and community-engaged researcher)
• Dr Kelly Feng (National Director, Asian Family Services) 
• Cayathri Divakalala (Activist researcher, Co-Founder, Adhikaar Aotearoa) 
• Rafiqah Abdullah (Social justice advocate) 
• Nishhza Thiruselvam (Community and youth worker) 
• PANEL TALK – Dr Rita Chi-Ying Chung (Professor Emerita in Counselling), Maria Milmine (Counsellor), Dr Aram Kim (Consultant psychiatrist), Samuel Cho (Health and wellbeing advocate)

Physical access at the Ellen Melville Centre
Parking: No off-street parking. Street parking (pay and display).
Disability access: Gently sloping ramp to right-side entrance. Lift from ground floor to Pioneer Women's hall (right-side entrance only).
Steps to stage. No disability access to Ellen Melville room if Pioneer Women's hall is not open. No designated car parking or drop-off area. Disability access toilets. 

Caption

Asian Mental Health, illustration by Daniel Crichton-Rouse, Te Papa