California-based OCA Sacramento held a town hall forum, “Let’s Talk

California-based OCA Sacramento a community-based organization held a town hall forum, “Let’s Talk” on October 10th, 2022, which falls on World Mental Health Day, at the California Northstate University in Rancho Cordova with the collaboration of a dozen local organizations including the Indian Association of Sacramento ( IAS) and two sponsors, Wells Fargo Bank & Health Net. It was attended by more than a hundred community members. The forum was led by Dr. Bhavin Parikh, Community leader, Practicing Psychiatrist, OCA Sacramento’s Vice President of Community Outreach & Board of Trustee - IAS.

OCA Sacramento represents Asian Pacific American Advocates, a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Islander Americans, including Indian Americans in the United States.

Mental health is often a hard topic to talk about, especially within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community including Indian Americans. Compared to other racial/ethnic backgrounds, Asian Americans are least likely to receive mental health treatment - only 20.8% of Asian adults with a mental illness received treatment in 2020. There are many systemic barriers to accessing mental health care and quality treatment for Asian Americans, which are exacerbated by stigma, shame, lack of health insurance, and culturally relevant and integrated care. These disparities can lead to worsened symptoms and poorer quality of life if treatment is unavailable or delayed.

Following the tragic suicide deaths of a few Asian Americans in the Greater Sacramento area, OCA and its supporting partners started “API Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Initiative” in 2018. As part of the ongoing efforts to bring awareness and fight the stigma against mental illness in the AAPI community, OCA Sacramento regularly hosts a community mental health forum on October 10th every year, which is World Mental Health Day. Every year, people across the globe take part in World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated on October 10th. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries.

OCA Sacramento understands that living with mental health challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been easy. With the fentanyl crisis now taking center stage in the United States, among other major issues, OCA Sacramento felt a town hall forum on mental health and addiction was especially needed this year.

The speakers' panel included distinguished local psychiatrists, therapists, and student leaders. Guest speakers discussed the impact of addiction on mental and physical health, and provided available resources to the public.

Jinky Dolar, President of OCA Sacramento Chapter, and Dr. Kevin Dong, PharmD, Assistant Director of Student Services and Assistant Professor at California Northstate University College of Pharmacy, welcomed guests and encouraged community members to pay attention to their mental health needs, as well as, stay connected with their support system.

Student speaker Roya Sereshki, a third-year student at the California Northstate University College of Pharmacy, shared her experience growing up as an only child of Iranian immigrants. She bravely spoke about her ongoing journey with mental health. In her speech, she said people can help shape the future generation to reduce the stigma of mental health problems.

Dr Ajay Pal Singh, a local psychiatrist, spoke about the neurobiology of addiction. Addiction exerts a long and powerful influence on the brain that manifests in three distinct ways: craving for the object of addiction, loss of control over its use, and continuing involvement with it despite adverse consequences. Dopamine (DA) is the neurotransmitter that has been classically associated with the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse and may have a key role in triggering the neurobiological changes associated with addiction.

Dr. Manu Saini, an Addiction Medicine Expert mentioned that 5.8% of American adults over 18 - about 14.4 million people - have an alcohol use disorder. Nearly 40 million U.S. adults still smoke cigarettes, and an estimated 2.55 million middle and high school students use at least one tobacco product, including e-cigarettes. About 13% of U.S. adults use cannabis products. Marijuana is the most commonly used psychotropic drug in the United States, after alcohol. Drug overdose deaths rose from 2019 to 2020 with 91,799 drug overdose deaths reported in 2020. Deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (primarily fentanyl) continued to rise with 56,516 overdose deaths reported in 2020. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Available without an individual prescription nationwide, naloxone, also known as NARCAN is a safe and effective antidote to opioid overdoses.

Dr. Greg Gisla, Psy.D, Chief Clinical Officer with the Sierra Health & Wellness centers talked about the Biopsychosocial model of addiction - the complex connection of substance use disorders and mental health, warning signs of emerging substance use disorders, stages of change (pre-contemplation, contemplation, action, maintenance, change) and special therapy of motivational interviewing which enhances motivation to quit substances.

Dr. Bhavin Parikh explained to attendees that nearly 42,000 people die by suicide in the U.S. every year; that’s one death every 11 minutes. Worldwide, 800,000 people die by suicide every year - that’s one death every 40 seconds. 1 in 20 U.S. adults experiences serious mental illness each year, 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder each year, and 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 40% of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health or substance use. Younger adults (ages 18 to 24) reported more anxiety or depression than other age groups. Dr. Parikh also educated attendees about warning symptoms and signs of impending suicide and how to prevent it, including asking patients directly if they’re suicidal, keeping them safe by removing weapons, sharp objects, and medications; listening carefully and acknowledging their feelings and helping them to connect to seek help. Every speaker has emphasized community members to reach out and seek immediate help for their mental health needs rather than suffering quietly. 988 is a new National Suicide hotline that anyone can access in case of a suicidal crisis. The short and extended version of a list of available community resources was published for community members to use. Readers are encouraged to view the event pictures here: https://tinyurl.com/IASMentalAwarenessOct2022

Light refreshments were served to attendees. Many local organizations & mental health agencies were able to set up their exhibit tables during the forum. OCA Sacramento actively advocates for embracing the Hopes and Aspirations of Asian-Pacific Americans. For more information about OCA Sacramento's mission, events and activities readers are encouraged to visit their website: https://www.ocasacramento.org/