This month's topic: Music with Mental Health

In this month's ALAAP episode, we have a special guest, Zawaad, who is studying audio engineering and produces music in his own studio. The moderators, Fairoz, Tasnova, and Unsha asks Zawaad various questions that involve discussing his journey in changing majors, having that conversation with his family, the importance of a support system, and how helpful therapy was.

Zawaad’s First Album:

https://open.spotify.com/album/51jYMKDjtbMmgxeqIgjSWG?si=OpGiyMxgTXqLzWPhNAc3yw

Please be sure to stay updated on the BMHM's IG (@bengalimentalhealthmvmnt) in order to catch the next topic and add in your own questions and comments, that may end up in an upcoming episode!

This month's topic: Trying to normalize the idea of dating before marriage in the South Asian community

In this month's ALAAP episode, Unsha and Tasnova discuss the mental toll it takes to have to hide relationships before marriage in the South Asian community. It is a common concept in our generation that we tend to do this when we want to have/pursue a romantic relationship that may not lead to marriage at all. It may be parents or relatives or other people in our community who judge those who do this. However, this topic is never discussed in articles or other podcasts when it should be because this concept should be normalized in our community. There are physical and mental dangers of hiding and sneaking around. The mental damage of shame, fear, and guilt harms us daily; what street we can and can’t be on, what lie to say, and so much more. Unsha and Tasnova are open to admit that there aren’t concrete coping techniques for this, however, understanding that love is to be felt and experienced by all of us - the secrecy and shame can be stopped and you can do what you wish as long as you believe in that. Having this conversation, we hope brings other to be more open, so our generation can break this cycle of shame and secrecy in relationships.

Please be sure to stay updated on the BMHM's IG (@bengalimentalhealthmvmnt) in order to catch the next topic and add in your own questions and comments, that may end up in an upcoming episode!

This month's topic: Creating various boundaries with parents

In this month's ALAAP episode, we discuss challenges on how to have difficult conversations with parents in our community. Our moderator, Tasnova, shares a personal struggle of how her future goals are different from what her parents want and this allows moderators, Naziat and Fairoz to discuss how to set boundaries with parents when it comes to having tough conversations. We discuss demands of marriage, plans of moving out, the benefit of setting physical boundaries, and ultimately having a good support system to have your back during this time. Not everyone will see eye to eye with you but that’s okay; believe in your own strengths and stand your ground in a healthy way.

Resources:

Bengali Mental Health Movement IG Post: Boundaries in the Bengali Household

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUvetT4rPIj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Please be sure to stay updated on the BMHM's IG (@bengalimentalhealthmvmnt) in order to catch the next topic and add in your own questions and comments, that may end up in an upcoming episode!

This month's topic: Motherhood challenges and maternal mental health

In this month's ALAAP episode, we discuss challenges of motherhood, pregnancy, and maternal mental health. One of our moderators, Naziat, is a mother and discusses her own experiences of being a mother, the criticisms, the tough expectations and much more. We hope that this conversation helps listeners who are mothers - or will be future mothers - or are thinking of being one - become aware that you are not alone in the struggles or expectations from third parties. We discuss resources that may help show that parenthood has its difficulties but again that you’re not alone! It’s important to validate and fight for what you need and want as a parent, especially as a mother.

Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/p0905-racial-ethnic-disparities-pregnancy-deaths.html

Peanut App:

Android/Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teampeanut.peanut

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/peanut-find-friends-support/id1178656034

https://www.instagram.com/pregnancyjunction/?utm_medium=copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/postpartumstress/?utm_medium=copy_link

Please be sure to stay updated on the BMHM's IG (@bengalimentalhealthmvmnt) in order to catch the next topic and add in your own questions and comments, that may end up in an upcoming episode!

This month's topic: Our personal perspective on unconventional parenthood

In this month's ALAAP episode, we discuss and share our personal opinions and perspective on parenthood. We have a very special guest joining in this episode, Unsha's partner, Farzan, who gives his male perspective on parenthood. We discuss the struggles of how family and friends may become overbearing with the notion of expecting children after marriage, and we have an open dialogue on how it should be a choice of whether or not kids are fit for you and your lifestyle. We discuss this topic in a way that we don't think has been discussed a lot, in that there is an option of choosing not to have children.

Please be sure to stay updated on the BMHM's IG (@bengalimentalhealthmvmnt) in order to catch the next topic and add in your own questions and comments, that may end up in an upcoming episode!

This month's topic: Therapy barriers and experiences 

In this month's ALAAP episode, we discuss and share our personal journey and/or struggle with therapy. We discuss the poll we had on our Instagram as well, which asked various questions about why or why not our community attends therapy, how it has helped, and ultimately their experience with it. We mention cultural competency, money/insurance concerns, bad client/therapist rapport, and more! We discuss ways to stay educated on this topic by attaching various directories below, that may help you find your therapist if you’re looking. We also attached statistics and graphs on therapy that we’ve briefly discussed in today’s episode!

Resources:

https://www.bustle.com/wellness/asian-american-communities-mental-health-wellness-resources-social-media

IG post by browngirltherapy: https://www.instagram.com/p/CRMseVJlQrd/?utm_medium=copy_link

Directories:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists

https://openpathcollective.org/

https://secure.helloalma.com/providers-landing/

Please be sure to stay updated on the BMHM's IG (@bengalimentalhealthmvmnt) in order to catch the next topic and add in your own questions and comments, that may end up in an upcoming episode!

This month's topic: Challenges of communicating with in laws. 

In this month's ALAAP episode, we discuss adjusting to new change in regards to managing life with in laws. Usually during the summertime, it's wedding season and that means there will be new changes and adjustments in a family household. We explore ways to adjust to these new systems while still standing our ground, how important open communication is, and how learning from past generations can help bring awareness and openness to present and future generations. Even if you may not relate to this topic, these conversations can be related back to any form of relationship or friendship. Creating boundaries are important and is a skill to be learned with time, so go slow. 

Resources: 

Red Table Talk episode: https://www.facebook.com/redtabletalk/videos/3027887157488276/

IG post by browngirltherapy: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQjKe6ylGVq/?utm_medium=copy_link

Please be sure to stay updated on the BMHM's IG (@bengalimentalhealthmvmnt) in order to catch the next topic and add in your own questions and comments, that may end up in an upcoming episode!

This month's topic: Challenges with Spirituality

In this ALAAP episode, we discuss interpersonal challenges we, the moderators, have faced this month (spiritually, culturally, etc)  from our own intersectionality perspectives. These are entirely our own personal challenges and experiences and we are not speaking for the general Bengali public but if we’re facing these challenges than many others may be too. This is a way to start having these important and difficult conversations to help others not feel alone. We hope that this episode brings you some clarity that you are not alone and this is a no judgement zone! 

Resources: (these are lists of sources that helped us, the moderators, learn and grow through our spiritual challenges and may help you too!)

Podcast: Honest Tea

Book: Rumi's Little Book of the Heart by Rumi

Book: A Flying Rose by Sabah Ahmad

Please be sure to stay updated on the BMHM's IG (@bengalimentalhealthmvmnt) in order to catch the next topic and add in your own questions and comments, that may end up in an upcoming episode!

This month's topic: Substance Abuse

In this ALAAP episode, we discuss what substance abuse is in terms of the physical and mental toll, addressing the stigma of substance use in the South Asian Community, as well as expressing various treatment services available in New York. Substance abuse is a very important topic and such a taboo in our community, but it can happen to any of us, you're not alone. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, there are services linked below to help, but ultimately just trust yourself, trust the clinicians, and listen to those who are struggling and may need help. 

*Content Warning* - Contains content involving overdose, death, and other consequences of substance abuse.

Resources:

Links to Services mentioned:

https://oasas.ny.gov/

https://www.samhsa.gov/

Links to articles mentioned:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687637.2017.1421143

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hyung-Yoo/publication/40689638_Self-Reported_Racial_Discrimination_and_Substance_Use_Among_Asian_Americans_in_Arizona/links/5787d32b08aedc252a936c07/Self-Reported-Racial-Discrimination-and-Substance-Use-Among-Asian-Americans-in-Arizona.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohammad-Nabi-2/publication/347521218_Legal_and_social_consequences_of_substance_use_Results_from_a_nationwide_study_in_Bangladesh_Legal_and_social_consequences_of_substance_use_Results_from_a_nationwide_study_in_Bangladesh/links/5fe08fbaa6fdccdcb8ec4e6c/Legal-and-social-consequences-of-substance-use-Results-from-a-nationwide-study-in-Bangladesh-Legal-and-social-consequences-of-substance-use-Results-from-a-nationwide-study-in-Bangladesh.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohammad-Hawlader/publication/343435969_Reasons_of_relapse_and_pattern_of_drug_use_among_the_substance_users_in_Bangladesh_A_nationwide_study/links/5f2a4e0a92851cd302dc0fa0/Reasons-of-relapse-and-pattern-of-drug-use-among-the-substance-users-in-Bangladesh-A-nationwide-study.pdf

Please be sure to stay updated on the BMHM's IG (@bengalimentalhealthmvmnt) in order to catch the next topic and add in your own questions and comments, that may end up in an upcoming episode!

This month’s topic: Supporting Anti-Racism and Anti-Colorism.

For this month's ALAAP episode, the moderators introduce a new moderator/podcast host, Naziat Hassan. We come together to discuss various articles pertaining to the decades filled with racism and how it impacts their mental health. In addition, we discussed how people are treated differently by the color of their skin, how it tends to happen a lot in South Asian households and social engagements, and how wrong and unjust this is. Lastly, they discuss various ways to support Black people and most importantly to always be educated and willing to learn.

Below are the links to the articles used and discussed in today's episode:

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200804-black-lives-matter-protests-race-mental-health-therapy