Awaaz at the University of Virginia

Club Description

It is often difficult for South Asian young adults to seek help due to a heightened societal stigma surrounding mental health in South Asian communities. This leads to elevated feelings of distress and helplessness as mental health issues are usually marginalized and cast aside within the community. Thus, Awaaz– meaning “Voice'' in many South Asian languages– started with the goal of providing South Asian students with a safe space for communication regarding unique discussion topics while building awareness about mental health issues and providing support to the South Asian community. It is especially difficult for South Asian students to seek professional help such as therapy services, a practice that is not viewed favorably by older generations. Awaaz aims to create a supportive group atmosphere where student confidentiality is non-negotiable so that interested students can seek help and connections worry-free. By being a member of this organization, students will have the opportunity to share their own experiences and relate to others on a more personal level. Furthermore, we hope that the new connections forged within this organization will allow students to reach out to trusted individuals within the Awaaz community in times of need. Overall, Awaaz hopes to break down barriers that are in the way of South Asian students seeking mental health related resources.