Dr. Keerthi Channarasappa is the President and Co-founder of South Asian Americans for Change (SAAFC), whose work is focused on advancing their mission to break the silence around mental health within the South Asian community. As an organization, SAAFC is committed to utilizing arts, education, and community engagement to foster empathy, healing, and open dialogue. Dr. Keerthi’s leadership and passion helps drive their vision of a future where mental health is a central, respected part of discourse. With a focus on cultural understanding and inclusivity, Dr. Keerthi and the SAAFC team are empowering individuals to share their stories, seek support, and contribute to building a stigma-free environment for generations to come. Dr. Keerthi Channarasappa shared with SEEMA the story about the inception of the organization, its mission and the resources being made available though SAAFC to members of the South Asian community.
What motivated you to co-found South Asian Americans For Change (SAAFC), and how has the organization evolved since its inception in addressing mental health within the South Asian community?
SAAFC started in 2022 with a simple goal: to create a space for South Asians to talk openly about mental health. We saw a real need for this after the pandemic, when isolation and stress were taking a toll on many people in our community. Many of us had personally struggled with mental health challenges and realized the difficulty of talking about them, let alone seeking help.
Many of the initial founders were close college friends and dance teammates, sharing a sense of community and a natural connection to the arts. We believed that art, especially important in South Asian culture, could unite people and make conversations about mental health more comfortable.
Serendipitously, after the pandemic, many founders relocated to the same area, recognizing the community’s need and deciding to establish SAAFC. This entirely volunteer-run, grassroots organization has expanded significantly in just two years, growing beyond its initial group and tripling in size with volunteers and collaborators around the country. Despite the learning curve, we’ve achieved a lot in our mission to destigmatize mental health including:
- Art and Storytelling: We’ve created and showcased art and stories that highlight mental health experiences. Our annual gala is a big event with a panel featuring notable individuals, art, performances, and awards. An element of this is incorporated in all of our live events as well. We also have an online art market, a mental health docuseries, and are working on a podcast.
- Education: We offer free webinars, and resources on mental health topics and organizations.
- Community: We host a variety of events, from big gatherings like our gala and screenings to smaller get-togethers like walking groups, meditation sessions, and happy hours. We also work with South Asian influencers, companies, and media outlets to spread the word and get more people involved.
Mental health is often a taboo topic in many South Asian households. What are some of the cultural challenges you’ve encountered in normalizing mental health conversations, and how is SAAFC working to overcome these barriers?
One of the biggest challenges is the stigma around mental health. Many people in the South Asian community believe that talking about mental health is a sign of weakness or shame.
To overcome this, we’re focusing on building trust and creating a safe space for people to share their experiences. We lead by example, being open about our own mental health struggles. We also partner with respected South Asian community leaders who are willing to share their stories.
For instance, our “Breaking the Silence” documentary series features a South Asian man who candidly discusses his struggles with addiction and alcoholism. It also features a prominent comedian sharing his experiences with therapy. This initiative has inspired many people, including men who have traditionally been difficult to engage, to seek help.
How does SAAFC incorporate South Asian cultural heritage into its mental health advocacy, and what role does cultural pride play in fostering emotional and social well-being?
We believe that South Asian culture can be a powerful tool for promoting mental health and we do this in several ways:
- Cultural Integration: We incorporate cultural elements like art, music, and food into our programs. For example, our annual gala features South Asian performances, art, and food, providing an atmosphere where participants can connect with their cultural heritage.
- Culturally Relevant Workshops: Our workshops address specific challenges faced by South Asian immigrants. Our “Life as a Child of Immigrant” workshop, for instance, delves into the complexities of the immigrant experience, providing participants with tools to navigate cultural expectations and perceptions.
- Community Building Events: We create events that focus on creating open dialogue, reflection, and connection. Our previous event “Love the Skin I’m In” which featured Nina Davuluri, a former Miss America, provided a platform for participants to discuss issues of colorism and beauty standards, encouraging a sense of community and empowerment. We recently also hosted a widely attended event at Philadelphia City Hall, with a panel discussion focused on the Queer South Asian experience as well as a screening of the third part of our docu-series, Breaking the Silence, which tackled the more serious topic of suicide.
Cultural pride plays an important role in well-being. When individuals feel a deep connection to their cultural heritage and a sense of pride in their identity, they are more likely to develop a positive self-image and a strong sense of belonging. This creates a safe space where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued, especially in a diverse nation like the United States where it can be challenging to avoid feeling marginalized or different. In such a space, individuals are more likely to seek help and utilize resources to improve their lives.
The South Asian community often experiences generational divides when discussing mental health. How does SAAFC bridge these differences and create intergenerational dialogue around emotional well-being?
Bridging the generational gap is a challenge. Older generations may be more resistant to talking about mental health. However, we’ve found that focusing on the younger generation can be effective. By providing support and resources to young people, we can indirectly help their parents and grandparents understand the importance of mental health.
We also try to incorporate cultural elements into our programs that appeal to older generations, such as traditional art or music. This can help break down barriers and create a more welcoming environment for everyone.
What mental health resources and support does SAAFC provide to individuals seeking help, and how do you ensure these resources are accessible to all members of the South Asian community?
We offer a variety of resources, including:
- Free webinars and workshops on mental health topics
- Educational posts on social media
- A list of culturally competent mental health and wellness resources available at our live events
- General mental health online resources for information and support
We also partner with other organizations to expand our reach and ensure that our resources are accessible to everyone in the South Asian community.
What advice would you give to young advocates or aspiring mental health professionals who want to contribute to breaking the stigma around mental health in the South Asian community?
Our advice is to dive in and make your voice heard. There are countless ways to get involved, from volunteering at events to sharing your personal experiences. The more people talking about mental health, the faster we can break down the stigma.
And remember you aren’t alone – there is a whole group of people rooting for you. We’ve found that the broader South Asian community, beyond just the mental health community, has been incredibly supportive of each other. From artists to small businesses to content creators, all sectors of the South Asian community are actively working to create a supportive network online and in person. This is what makes being a part of the South Asian community so special – it feels like we’re on the brink of a groundbreaking movement together!
South Asian Americans for Change (SAAFC) was established in 2022 with a simple goal: to create a welcoming, inclusive space for honest conversations around mental health within the South Asian community.
What began as a close-knit group of family, friends, and dance teammates who happened to relocate to the same area quickly evolved into something greater. Inspired by their own mental health journeys and driven by the growing need to address mental health concerns, especially post-pandemic, the founders recognized the unique challenges that South Asian Americans often face. Many in the community experience higher rates of mental health struggles but are less likely to seek support due to cultural stigma, and lack of culturally nuanced care.
SAAFC’s founding team believed in leveraging the power of South Asian art and culture—both valued within the community—to unite people and make these important conversations feel more approachable. In just two short years, this entirely volunteer-run, grassroots organization has seen tremendous growth, expanding beyond its initial group and tripling in size, with passionate volunteers and collaborators nationwide.
A key part of SAAFC’s approach to breaking the stigma is through storytelling. By sharing their own mental health experiences and featuring respected South Asian leaders and public figures who are willing to open up, SAAFC leads by example. One standout initiative is the “Breaking the Silence” documentary series, where a South Asian man openly discusses his battle with addiction and alcoholism, while a well-known comedian shares his journey with therapy. This powerful series has inspired many—especially men, who are often hesitant to seek help—to take that first step.
SAAFC’s first gala was a sold-out success, drawing 150 guests and featuring four prominent panelists: Nadia Jagessar, Amrit Kapai, Rohit Gijare, and Annika Sharma. The second annual gala, also a sell-out event, highlighted speakers like Mitul Desai (founder of CareHack), Payal Desai (@Payalforstyle), and Jyoti Chand (@mamajotes), and continues to bring influential voices to the conversation.
The importance of community is at the heart of SAAFC’s mission. Their events are designed to nurture open dialogue, reflection, and connection. Take their “Love the Skin I’m In” event, which featured former Miss America Nina Davuluri. This event sparked meaningful conversations around colorism and beauty standards. Another recent event held at Philadelphia City Hall featured a panel discussion on the Queer South Asian experience, providing a platform for important conversations around identity and inclusion. Separately, SAAFC also hosted a screening of the third installment of their powerful “Breaking the Silence” docu-series, which addressed the sensitive and serious topic of suicide.
In line with their mission to make mental health resources accessible, all of SAAFC’s events are either free or low-cost, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to participation. This year, they also launched their first “SAAFC Social Hours,” featuring a series of small free events—including a community walk, meditation session, sound bath and happy hour—designed to bring the local South Asian community together in a relaxed and supportive environment.
SAAFC recognizes the transformative role that art and culture play in promoting mental health and well-being. By incorporating South Asian performances, art, food, and other cultural elements into their events, they help participants feel a deeper sense of belonging and pride in
their heritage. In this safe and supportive space, individuals are more likely to reach out for help and access the resources they need.
Regarding resources, SAAFC offers a variety: including webinars, workshops, educational materials, and a list of culturally competent mental health professionals. Their workshops, like “Life as a Child of Immigrants,” tackle specific challenges faced by the South Asian immigrant
community, equipping participants with tools to navigate cultural expectations. The organization also partners with other groups, South Asian influencers, corporate sponsors, and media outlets to amplify its message and expand its reach. Looking to the future, SAAFC has exciting plans on the horizon, including launching a podcast, hosting their first mental health and arts summit, and continuing their annual gala in April 2025.
Their ongoing workshops, events, and educational programs have already left a lasting impact, with supporters calling SAAFC “not just vital, but revolutionary” and “a much-needed source of comfort and connection.”
Stay connected with SAAFC by following them on Instagram @saaforchange or signing up for their newsletter at saaforchange.org. And if their mission speaks to you, consider donating at bit.ly/saafcdonate to help them continue driving change!
