QUEENS, NY — The 2nd Annual “Mental Health for Minorities Matter” symposium successfully convened yesterday evening at the Elmhurst Hospital Auditorium, establishing a critical platform for healthcare equity, civic advocacy, and community-driven wellness solutions. Hosted by Minority Empowerment Network Inc. (MiEN), the landmark event brought together hospital executives, policy directors, grassroots organizers, and city officials to confront the unique mental health challenges facing diverse populations.
The evening commenced with a strong emphasis on collaborative leadership during the opening remarks. Event Emcee Ms. Rayna Lama opened the proceedings, followed by MiEN Chairman Mr. Shyam Karki and Vice Chairman Mr. Chhemang Lama, who collectively underscored the urgency of dismantling systemic stigmas surrounding mental health in minority spaces and emphasized the power of culturally competent care networks.
Executive Panel Addresses Systemic Healthcare Gaps
A distinguished panel of healthcare and policy leaders delivered a series of impactful presentations, seamlessly connecting institutional resources with community-level needs.
- Ms. Alina Moran, Chief Executive Officer of Elmhurst Hospital, opened the segment by addressing institutional support systems, highlighting the hospital’s ongoing commitment to expanding accessible mental health resources within multicultural neighborhoods.
- Following her, Ms. Atiya Butler, Director of External Affairs and Marketing at Elmhurst Hospital, spoke on the vital importance of strategic communication and culturally inclusive outreach to bridge the gap between healthcare systems and vulnerable communities.
- Cultural advocacy took center stage as Mr. Faran Sharif, South Asian and Indo-Caribbean Community Representative, highlighted the distinct socio-cultural barriers to care within immigrant households, while Ms. Pallavi Subedi, Health Navigator from Adhikaar, provided critical grassroots perspectives on navigating language barriers and securing healthcare access for frontline workers.
- Legislative accountability and macro-level advocacy were addressed by Ms. Tandeep Kaur, Program Director at Senator Chuck Schumer’s Office, who detailed federal policy initiatives designed to fund local mental wellness programs.
- Closing the panel, Ms. NyJah Sterling, Programs Manager of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) – NYC Chapter, delivered an urgent call to action regarding crisis intervention frameworks and tailored suicide prevention strategies for marginalized youth.
Holistic Wellness and Civic Action
Bridging the gap between institutional theory and practical application, Dr. Imrul Kabir—Ambassador of ‘Save The Children’ and Founder of ‘Active Healing Physical Therapy’—guided the audience through an experiential mindfulness segment. This interactive window utilized specialized meditation and light stretching to demonstrate immediate, somatic stress-relief practices designed for high-stress urban environments.
The symposium then shifted to an open public forum during the Interactive Audience Group Discussion. Led by MiEN Executive Director Shreeya Tuladhar, Queens Deputy Borough President Ms. Ebony Young, and Ms. Faiza Ali, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the segment allowed local residents to air direct grievances, query officials on city resources, and pitch localized safety nets. The program wrapped up with an official Citation Program honoring local advocates, culminating in a dedicated networking session to foster ongoing organizational alliances.
