JiVA Mental Health is proud to announce a critical event, “Boldly Brown: Defining Our Paths,” set to take place on June 25, 2024, in Los Angeles from 6:30 – 8:30pm. This initiative, part of Men’s Health Month, is specifically designed to engage men from South Asian and Middle Eastern communities in meaningful dialogue about masculinity and emotional expression.

June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and we at JiVA are excited to open up important
conversations. Thanks to celebrities like The Rock, David Chang, Ryan Reynolds, Zayn Malik, and Kevin
Love, talking about mental health is becoming more common. But for many men, especially within the
South Asian American community, these conversations are still rare. Cultural constraints and limited
access to mental healthcare continue to make it tough for men of color.

We want to change that.

Event Overview:
“Boldly Brown: Defining Our Paths” aims to challenge prevailing cultural norms that emphasize
emotional suppression among men. By creating a safe and inclusive environment, JiVA Mental Health
seeks to foster emotional expression and build community resilience.
Reason for Event/Men’s Mental Health Statistics:
● Approximately 6 million men in the United States suffer from depression annually, yet men are
less likely to seek help compared to women.
● Men are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than women. In 2020, men accounted
for 79% of all suicides in the U.S.
● Only about 36% of men with mental health issues seek treatment due to cultural norms and
stigmas that discourage emotional vulnerability.
● Untreated mental health conditions can lead to serious consequences, including substance
abuse and decreased life expectancy. Men are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors and
less likely to receive professional mental health support.

Event Details:
● Date: June 25, 2024 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
● Location: Los Angeles, California
● Theme: Fostering safe spaces for emotional expression and building community resilience
● Objective: To address and dismantle restrictive cultural norms of masculinity that discourage
emotional expression among men in South Asian and Middle Eastern communities. The event
will feature expert-led discussions and workshops aimed at fostering a supportive network that
encourages mental wellness and communal understanding.

Target Audience:
This seminar is geared towards men within the South Asian and Middle Eastern demographics, as well as mental health professionals and community activists who are pivotal in shaping discourse on mental
health and masculinity.

About JiVA Mental Health

JiVA Mental Health is committed to providing holistic and culturally sensitive mental health services to
the South Asian community in the United States. Our mission is to dismantle the stigma surrounding
mental health, promote healing through connection and integrate cultural heritage with modern
therapeutic practices to foster a community where healing is a collective journey.
● Website: https://www.jivamentalhealth.com/
● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jivamentalhealth/
● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JivaMentalHealth/
● Event: https://www.jivamentalhealth.com/events-1
For more information about the event or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Ektha Aggarwal, LCSW – Founder
Poorvi Mehta – Vice President
Arun Ponnusamy – Chair of Education
JiVA Mental Health
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 424.265.9943