Health Equity

TP34 - Mental Health Needs of South Asians in the San Francisco Bay Area Stemming From Social Isolation Due to COVID-19 Restrictions

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Location: South Exhibit Hall HJK, Level 2, LACC

Poster Presenter(s)

Chandrakala Ganesh, PhD (she/her/hers)

Associate Professor of Public Health
California State University, East Bay
Hayward, California
Arnab Mukherjea, DrPH, MPH

Department Chair & Associate Professor of Public Health
California State University, East Bay
Hayward, California

Coupled with the effect of persistent cultural stigma surrounding discussion of mental illness and disability in community settings, social isolation due to COVID-related restrictions have exacerbated distress and disorder among communities of South Asian descent, particularly those who are elderly. We will focus on articulating socio-cultural needs of this rapidly-growing population and how programs and policies should be tailored to prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality. Ideal for health professionals, researchers, trainees and students who endeavor to advance an agenda of health equity and are keen to adopt community-engaged approaches in their practice.

Learning Objectives:

Describe unique factors affecting mental health and social wellbeing of South Asian elderly in the United States.
Articulate how COVID-related social restrictions influenced or exacerbated mental health concerns in this population.
Demonstrate how programs and policies might be tailored to effectively improve mental health and well-being of South Asians in the U.S. in a culturally-sensitive manner.
Recognize the importance of community-engaged approaches to characterize social and cultural determinants which facilitate development of targeted intervention strategies.