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promoting mental health awareness in the south asian community

SOCH is a mental health promotion initiative started by two registered nurses from Brampton, tailored at providing the South Asian community with awareness, skills, and knowledge about mental health. As a not for profit initiative, SOCH's aim is to first 'start the mental health conversation' to break the stigma in the South Asian community and second, to empower the community with the skills and knowledge to navigate the mental health system, support loved ones, and most importantly, take a preventative approach to caring for one's overall well being.

SOCH not only works with South Asian communities but aims to promote mental health awareness within all ethnic communities. By implementing a culturally safe approach, SOCH encourages individuals from various backgrounds to reach out to collaborate with our team.

To date, SOCH has conducted over 40 mental health workshops, facilitated the first mental health event at a Sikh temple in the GTA and started an international TV show called "Apni SOCH".

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South Asian Mental Health Resources - SOCH

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SOCH is a mental health promotion initiative started by two registered nurses from Brampton, tailored at providing the South Asian community with awareness, skills, and knowledge about mental health.

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First Unitarian Universalist Church, Thoreau in Richmond 

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First Unitarian Universalist Church, Thoreau in Richmond 

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Join us this Sunday right after the service for SOUP-er Bowl Sunday and Game Hour! We will have a variety of delicious, wholesome, homemade soups for lunch and then stay awhile to play games. Board games, card games, bingo - even Mah Jongg, there will be something for everyone. Good for the whole family! This Sunday at Thoreau!

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First Unitarian - Thoreau /Richmond Campus

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Join us this Sunday right after the service for SOUP-er Bowl Sunday and Game Hour! We will have a variety of delicious, wholesome, homemade soups for lunch and then stay awhile to play games. Board games, card games, bingo - even Mah Jongg, there will be something for everyone.

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Congregation Beth El - the Center of Jewish Life in Fort Bend County.

Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, Congregation Beth El strives to fulfill its mission of helping each member connect with what is important to them as Jews and as part of the global community. We seek to do this by offering engaging and spiritually-uplifting Shabbat and holiday services, a vibrant educational program for children and adults, and opportunities to perform acts of tikkun olam, repairing the world. Most importantly, Beth El provides is a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all our members, Jewish or non-Jewish, as seek to create a close-knit community bonded together by the highest ideals of our faith.

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Congregation Beth El - the Center of Jewish Life in Fort Bend County. Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, Congregation Beth El strives to fulfill its mission of helping each member connect with what is important to them as Jews and as part of the global community.

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If you're looking for a bit of an escape from everything going on in the world right now, try experimenting with and embracing your Judaism from home. Here are a few ways to begin.

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Be part of the community helping Fort Bend Family Promise get homeless families back to self-sufficiency.

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East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry has been closely monitoring the evolving spread of the Coronavirus situation. During this difficult time, many of our clients need us now, more than ever.

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The website for New Hope Lutheran Church in Missouri City, Texas.

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Unitarian Universalist Network of Houston

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Home - Unitarian Universalist Network of Houston

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Sign your name to the Declaration of Conscience to commit to putting Unitarian Universalist values into action to resist hate, fear and bigotry. Get regular email updates, opportunities and stories from this joint initiative of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC).

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You Tube Channel

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With a history dating back over a century, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston is an inclusive, supportive, spiritual community that has grown int...

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First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston - An Inclusive, Supportive and Spiritual Community

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Streaming Site for Christian Based Media: RightNow Media

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Streaming Site for Christian Based Media: RightNow Media

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Level Up Your Ministry

RightNow Media equips your church daily with 24/7 access to 25,000+ biblical videos for spiritual growth across all ages and groups.

Level Up
Your Ministry

The mission of the church is to make disciples, and we've seen God use digital media to transform lives. That's why we developed RightNow Media-to help every person, family, small group, and student grow in their faith with 24/7 access to 25,000+ biblical videos. We want to help you equip and disciple everyone in your church every day of the week.

On a Convenient App Built to Foster Discipleship and Community

Trusted by Thousands of Churches & Organizations of All Sizes

Helping to Make Disciples of All Nations

This ministry started in 1977 with a desire to help Christians be active in their faith and make disciples of all nations. Today, RightNow Media is available in 100+ countries with content in 13 languages, equipping the global church with digital resources to fulfill the Great Commission. Learn how you can help global pastors in their work of discipleship.

Only Available on RightNow Media

Discipleship for Everyone in Your Ministry

Everyone in your congregation can access biblical videos on topics like marriage, parenting, youth, recovery, leadership, finances, and much more.

Equip your church anytime, anywhere with RightNow Media.

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RightNow Media | Streaming Video Library of Bible Studies

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Say hello to the streaming library of Bible study videos that inspires faith every day of the week.

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Local resources for mindfulness and meditation virtual groups.

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The Institute for Spirituality and Health

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The COVID-19 pandemic is causing anxiety in many areas of our lives, from the health and wellbeing of ourselves and our loved ones, to the loss of employment and financial security, the isolation and "stuckness" of social distancing, and the disruption of our daily lives and the activities that bring us joy.

To relieve anxiety and foster connection, ISH and the Greater Houston Healing Collaborative have activated our network of trained facilitators to lead virtual mind-body skills groups and workshops for self-care and community support.

What Are Mind-Body Skills Groups?

Mind-Body Skills Groups offer a safe space for social connection while teaching evidence-based skills that reduce stress and anxiety and support immunity, resiliency, and overall health and wellbeing. These groups allow us to connect deeply with one another, become more aware of ourselves physically and emotionally, and learn to manage and improve our own health. Mind-Body Skills include breathing, movement, meditation, guided imagery, autogenic training, and explorative drawing and writing to help us express ourselves fully, and offer tools to alleviate anxiety and awaken vitality in body, mind, and spirit.

The facilitators leading these groups have been trained by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM), a world-renowned trauma relief organization that for almost thirty years has been implementing this resiliency building group model for communities across the globe.

Please understand that these are educational support groups, not clinical therapy. For those with mental health conditions, we recommend a licensed psychotherapist. Some resources are listed at the bottom of this page.

Join a Group

All groups are hosted online via Zoom. Click on a box to learn more and register.

help SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE

Most of these groups are generously provided by our facilitators free of charge to the community. Please consider supporting this initiative to help us sustain and grow these services.

Please support us by donating now. Thank you!

CAN'T FIND A GROUP ABOVE? STAY IN THE LOOP
WE WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF NEW OFFERINGS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE

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Mind-Body Groups - The Institute for Spirituality and Health

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The COVID-19 pandemic is causing anxiety in many areas of our lives, from the health and wellbeing of ourselves and our loved ones, to the loss of employment and financial security, the isolation and "stuckness" of social distancing, and the disruption of our daily lives and the activities that bring us joy.

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Church openings and updates for some Fort Bend County churches

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There is no denying we are in new and uncertain times as the COVID-19 pandemic grows and spreads around the globe. The Inclusive America Project's (IAP) mission to create a sustainable and thriving religious pluralism in the United States is as important as ever in this moment. Theology, traditions, and beliefs from a variety of religious traditions call us to honor our communities and care for our most vulnerable neighbors.

Buddhism emphasizes the inevitability of change, Christianity calls on us all to remember that, " whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me [Jesus Christ]," and Islam encourages us all to remember our neighbors, even if they are strangers: "Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good - to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet). "

All of us at IAP are confident that faith communities across the United States (and the world) will respond to this growing crisis in new, innovative, and important ways. In that vein, we are excited to continue updating this blog with information on:

1. Virtual events and communities you can take part in

2. Religious literacy tools for you and any children in your life

3. Ways we can support the most vulnerable in our communities

Finding Virtual Community

Faith communities and organizations around the world are responding to the COVID-19 virus with online resources and virtual communities.

In Religion News Service, Paul Brandeis Raushenbush of IFYC writes that " it's a good time for people of faith to reflect on how well digital technologies serve faith communities and consider the future of religion." At IAP, we hold firm to the belief that religion is " a source of comfort in times of confusion and suffering," and that it can be an essential tool in combatting the decrease in compassion during pandemics.

While you take part in the critical task of social isolating, we hope you will explore the following opportunities to find community and connection:

1. Sixth & I Synagogue will host all scheduled classes free and online.

2. The Washington National Cathedral will live stream and archive all services on their YouTube page.

3. Numerous Muslim Community Centers and Mosques from Georgia to Washington, DC will live stream Jumuah prayer services.

4. The Liturgists Podcast continues to host weekly community gatherings on Zoom for members (memberships are available for $0-$25 dollars).

5. The Unitarian Universalist Association provides a list of congregations with live-streamed and/or recorded services.

6. Join OneTable for a virtual Friday night Shabbat dinner. Search through hundreds of already planned dinners or plan one with your friends and family here.

7. The Online Faith Collective has been gathering and sharing online worship services and has created a virtual pastor network. If you are unsure of where to find online worship or would like to speak with a spiritual leader (over 30 religions, faiths, and spiritualities are represented!) this is a great start.

8. Join Shoulder to Shoulder as they build connections throughout the month of Ramadan. Through their social media campaign, guidebook, and virtual Iftar meals, they are helping create multi-faith connections during Ramadan.

9. The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom has begun facilitating the "Sisterhood Virtual Coffee Connection." Sign up here to be connected with another sister one-on-one to share ideas, recipes, worries, or just to have a friendly chat! They will facilitate the connection, but it is up to you to set up a time and chose the format to meet.

10. While finding virtual community is crucial in this time, it comes with a unique set of risks that includes cyber-bullying. As a recent Sikh Coalition blog says, "it may seem that there is less contact with other students right now, but the additional screen time and lack of classroom monitoring by a teacher may increase instances of cyberbullying." Read more and find tips on how to talk to your kids about this important topic here. -NEW

11. The group Jewish Boston Teens has created aJewish Teen Initiativewith many resources - for teens and their parents. And while you are on their website, take a look at their many virtual events

Leading a Virtual Community

1. Sign-up to the Sacred Design Lab's newsletter to join their 'Weekly Wisdom Sessions.' These sessions are designed for those leading a community, supporting a community, or holding space for others. Each week a different wisdom teacher will offer words of clarity and comfort.

2. Are YOU leading online worship or groups? If so, read this great resource by Jeanne Rewa and Daniel Hunter for some helpful tips and tricks before your next webinar or service.

3. View this list from Wesleyan Church or this blog from Faith & Leadership at Duke Divinity to view resources for pastors and other Christian leaders thinking about the best practices to engage their communities.

4. Author Priya Parker shared tools for creating meaningful connections with friends, family, and coworkers during the coronavirus pandemic on a recent TED Conversation. Watch here to see what she says about how we can take advantage of gatherings unique to this moment.

5. If you could use ideas to help move your interfaith trainings online, this list of the Top 5 Interfaith Youth Core Curricular Tools for Online Learning is a resource with videos, interactive quizzes, and more to help in the transition.

Religious Literacy Tools

As gatherings, events, and classes are canceled, many of us are looking for new ways to fill our time. Here at IAP, we believe that religious pluralism relies on individuals having a basic understanding of religions. We hope you will take advantage of this time to review the following resources and brush up on your own religious literacy:

1. Harvard and Yale are just two of many higher education institutions offering free online courses on various religious traditions (among many other subjects).

2. Catholic Digest made a number of resources free for those who are unable to attend Catholic Mass and for those interested in the liturgy and traditions of the Catholic faith. Plus, you can check out this resource for children!

3. IAP's own primer on Religious Pluralism, "Many People, Many Faiths, One Nation" is a fifteen-minute curriculum responding to the question we frequently field: "what is religious pluralism?"

4. Spend some time learning the foundations of Hinduism and about Hindu practices that help manage COVID-19 anxiety and stress.

5. Islamic Networks Group (ING) offers curriculum on Islamophobia and its Impact, Ramadan and Fasting, & Getting to Know American Muslims. View these great resources here, and if you're a teacher, you can request a presentation from ING here!

6. Harvard's Religious Literacy Project publishes a variety of short videos - including brief overviews of the six major world religions.

7. The Sikh Coalition provides legal support for those experiencing discrimination, and they wrote to ensure that Sikh healthcare professionals and emergency first responders understand their rights.

8. Interfaith Youth Core created a hub of valuable resources for interfaith America. You can read blogs, watch videos, and explore curricular tools all on their new website.

Religious Literacy Tools for Kids

1. There are many children's books we enjoy at IAP! Some favorites are Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh and What Does a Muslim Look Like? by Mohamed Abdel-Kader. While many local bookstores have closed, some are providing shipping at low or no cost.

2. Apps like Libby enable you to virtually "check-out" the above books (and many others) from your local library.

3. The Sikh Coalition just launched their Kids Corner. Tune-in each week for this virtual learning series. Their first session will feature a conversation with the author Rakhee Mirchandani, who will engage elementary school-aged children in a reading and discussion of her bookSuper Satya Saves the Day.

4. All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) hosts classes, events, and much more on their website. With multiple programs each day, that you can watch live or on demand, there is something for everyone (including special programming for kids)! Watch here.

Ways to help your communities

Staying at home, washing our hands, and resisting the urge to hoard supplies are all ways we can stand in social solidarity and protect our most vulnerable neighbors.

Religious traditions have long been sources of guidance and inspiration for social solidarity. During this time, individuals, organizations, and communities can draw on their faith to take action and love their neighbors in the following ways:

1. The Care Coalition is a grassroots, diverse partnership of social/civic organizations & volunteers serving as a connector between residents who need care & those who can give care.

2. Meals on Wheels is an organization ensuring those who are unable to leave their home still have access to warm meals.

3. Many local churches, synagogues, etc. are organizing their congregations to help at-risk community members. If you are in DC, the Table Church is organizing this form and the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation is asking for volunteers to connect those who are able to run errands with those who cannot leave their homes.

4. The Berkley Center at Georgetown University is launching an online platform and sending daily emails to share how religious actors are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can sign up to receive this information here.

5. Give to DC127's Coronavirus Response Fund to help purchase groceries, Uber cards, and any other immediate needs for vulnerable families in the Washington DC community.

6. Learn more about preparing your masjid to support and protect the health of your community with this guide from The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago. Through collaboration with local, state, and federal health agencies, the document provides step-by-step ways to build upon the talents, gifts, and resources already present in many masjids.

7. Social distancing guidelines have suspended in-person services and also impacted the donations houses of worship collect. To support Imams and their staff from around the country, you can donate to this LaunchGood campaign.

8. The COVID-19 Emergency Fund from the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta has raised over 2 million to help meet the urgent needs of vulnerable individuals. Learn more and give to this fund here. - NEW

We hope you find these tools and resources helpful. This list is incomplete and growing daily. Please share resources that should be included on twitter with the #InclusiveAmerica or by emailing Abbie.Haug@aspeninstitute.org.
The views and opinions expressed in the linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Aspen Institute.

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Resources for Maintaining Community During the COVID-19 Pandemic - The Aspen Institute

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There is no denying we are in new and uncertain times as the COVID-19 pandemic grows and spreads around the globe. The Inclusive America Project's (IAP) mission to create a sustainable and thriving religious pluralism in the United States is as important as ever in this moment.

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Self-guided Children's Lesson on World Religions

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Self-guided Children's Lesson on World Religions

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Lesson on teaching tolerance of world religions, along with reliable resources for research.

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Vocabulary

prejudice [ prej-uh-dis ] (noun) an opinion or insufficient information that is not based on fact or actual experience.

secular [ sek-yuh-ler ] (adjective) denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.

religious freedom [ ri-lij-uh s free-duh m ] (noun) the right to practice any religion you choose, or to live without any religion at all

tolerance [ tol-er-uh-ns ] (noun) a fair, open, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, beliefs, practices, racial or ethnic origins, etc., differ from one's own

Suggested Procedure

1. Instruct students: "In your notebook, list the names of as many different religions or faith traditions you know about. Share your lists with the class." As students share responses, create a master list on chart paper. Note: If students struggle with this activity, make suggestions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Atheism, Baha'i Faith, Sikhism, Shinto, Confucianism, and others.

2. Explain: "In the United States, religious freedom is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Religious freedom can be defined as 'the right to practice any religion you choose, or to live without any religion at all, without the government getting involved.' Put this definition into your own words and tell it to a partner." (Note: Explain that "without the government getting involved" means "the law cannot tell you what you can and cannot do in the way you practice your religion.")

3. Ask students to pick one religion from the list, using one or more reliable online sites (suggestions below). You may also want to ask your school librarian/media specialist to select grade-appropriate books about different religions. Instruct students: "Gather information about one religion, and create a poster to present the information. The poster should include interesting facts about major beliefs, sacred texts, festivities and ceremonies, rituals, clothing, places of worship, and so on."
http://www.uri.org/kids/index.htm https://www.factmonster.com/world/religion/major-religions-world http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/winter-celebrations/#WH-hanukkah.jpg
4. Review students' work. Ask them to present the posters to the class. After students complete their presentations, ask the class to share their reactions and ask questions through while using the handout Speaking With Respect.

Note: You can also offer students a choice of these three graphic organizers to help them design their posters as described above.

Do Something

Guide students in organizing a "Religious Diversity Day" in your school building or district. Discuss and plan the event carefully. Ask: Why might event be helpful to the community? What are our goals? How might we promote this event in a way that includes everyone and does not endorse or support any one religion? Invite guest speakers from the community, from local churches, synagogues, mosques, etc. to join in a discussion about religious customs, traditions, writings, etc. Invite all students, teachers, and administrators to attend.

Alignment to Common Core State Standards/ College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards CCSS R.4, W.2, W.4, W.7, SL.1, L.4

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Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators-teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners-who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use our materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.

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British Library: Sacred Text from World Religions

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British Library: Sacred Text from World Religions

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Discover texts and literature from various world religions.

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Discovering Sacred Texts provides access to the richness and diversity of the texts from some of the world's greatest faiths. Discover more about the sacred texts from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and the Baha'i Faith, Jainism and Zoroastrianism.

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Discovering Sacred Texts | The British Library

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Discovering Sacred Texts provides access to the richness and diversity of the texts from some of the world's greatest faiths. Discover more about the sacred texts from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and the Baha'i Faith, Jainism and Zoroastrianism.

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Mobile App: Ebook and audio book reader designed to explore various religions' sacred texts and literature.

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Ocean is a custom ebook reader designed for exploration and study of the sacred literature of the world's religious traditions. It provides a simple cross-platform reading experience with an immersive audio-integrated reading experience and usful study and research tools.

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𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝟐.𝟎 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 ㊪ sacred-traditions.org

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𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝟐.𝟎 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 is a custom ebook reader designed for exploration and study of the sacred literature of the world's religious traditions. It provides a simple cross-platform reading experience with an immersive audio-integrated reading experience and usful study and research tools.

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Visit this site to explore a virtual exhibit of children's depictions of God.

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Rice University Religion and Public Life Program

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Rice University Religion and Public Life Program

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Scholarly resources on how the public engages with religion.

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RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE PROGRAM

Our vision is to facilitate and promote deeper and better conversations about the role religion plays in society by:

" training scholars

" conducting cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research

" engaging local, national, and global communities

RPLP BY THE NUMBERS

Since our founding in 2010:

" 75 undergraduate students
" 54 graduate students, postdocs, & junior scholars

" 45,591 individuals surveyed
" 1,169 individuals interviewed
" 104 articles in academic journals
" 11 books published

" 5,107 people reached through in-person programming
" 1,187 media appearances
" 161 scholars & community leaders hosted through events
" 103 panel events and gatherings

Top

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" training scholars " conducting cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research " engaging local, national, and global communities " 75 undergraduate students " 54 graduate students, postdocs, & junior scholars " 45,591 individuals surveyed " 1,169 individuals interviewed " 104 articles in academic journals " 11 books published " 5,107 people reached through in-person programming " 1,187 media appearances " 161 scholars & community leaders hosted through events " 103 panel events and gatherings Top

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a poem by Edwina Gateley

Be silent.
Be still.
Alone.
Empty
before your God.
Say nothing.
Ask nothing.
Be silent.
Be still.
Let your God look upon you.
That is all.
God knows.
God understands.
God loves you
With an enormous love,
And only wants
To look upon you
With that love.
Quiet.
Still.
Be.

Let your God --
Love you.