Report of Mental Health For Minorities Matter

Event Report

Event Title: Mental Health for Minorities Matter
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Elmhurst Hospital Auditorium
79-01 Broadway, Queens, NY 11373

Organizers:

• Minority Empowerment Network (MiEN)
• Khasokhas

Partner Organizations:

• NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
• NYC Council Office of Council Member Linda Lee
• Queens Borough President Donovan Richards
• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

Event Overview:
“Mental Health for Minorities Matter” was a powerful and timely event focused on mental health access in immigrant and minority communities. Designed as an evening of conversation, resources, and healing, the event brought together local leaders, clinicians, advocates, and residents in a shared commitment to breaking stigma and promoting culturally grounded care.

The evening provided opportunities for networking, panel discussion, and audience engagement, with powerful speeches from city leaders, healthcare partners, and mental health experts.

Program Summary:

🕡 6:30 PM – Opening Remarks by Organizers

• Mr. Suresh Shahi opened the evening, welcoming the audience and setting the tone for the event.
• Remarks by the two lead organizers:

☉ Mr. Kishor Panthi, Editor-in-Chief of Khasokhas
☉ Mr. Shyam Karki, Founder & President of MiEN and community activist

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🕡 6:45 PM – Partner Speeches & Presentations

Suresh acknowledged the event partners and introduced key representatives:

• Dr. Helen Arteaga-Landaverde, CEO of Elmhurst Hospital
• Ms. Atiya Butler, Director of External Affairs & Marketing, Elmhurst
• Ms. Shivani Dutt, Manager of Mission Initiatives, National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

Each speaker highlighted the importance of inclusive, community-centered mental health access.

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🕖 7:00 PM – Panel Discussion: Led by Ms. Shreeya Tuladhar

Introduced by Suresh Shahi, Shreeya Tuladhar, Executive Director of MiEN, moderated a panel on identity, community care, and systemic change. Panelists included:

• Ms. Kimmy Wu, MHC, MA
• Dr. Norman Kim, PhD
• Hon. Linda Lee, NYC Council Member, District 23

Their discussion focused on breaking cultural stigma, the importance of representation in care, and community healing strategies.

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🕢 7:30 PM – Interactive Q&A Session
The floor was opened to attendees for questions and dialogue with panelists, creating a safe and participatory space for shared learning.

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🕢 7:45 PM – Closing Remarks

• Ms. Sookranie Dhanpat, South Asian Liaison, Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs
• Ms. Tseyang Tenzin, Senior Manager of Strategic & Community Projects, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
• Dr. H. Jean Wright, Executive Deputy Commissioner, Division of Mental Hygiene, presented a proclamation recognizing the importance of the event
• Ms. Ebony Young, Deputy Queens Borough President, delivered final closing remarks and presented citations to:

☉ Khasokhas
☉ NEDA – Shivani Dutt
☉ FAW – Bimal Ghale

Photo Session & Community Networking
Following the closing remarks, a photo session and informal networking concluded the evening, allowing participants and leaders to connect and reflect.

Conclusion:
The “Mental Health for Minorities Matter” event was a resounding success. It created a meaningful platform to address long-standing mental health inequities in minority and immigrant populations. The collaboration between community organizations and city institutions demonstrated the strength of unified advocacy and action.

Acknowledgments:
Special thanks to:

• All the organizers, partners, and volunteers
• Our esteemed speakers and panelists
• The Elmhurst Hospital team for hosting
• Every community member who participated

Together, we move closer to a city where mental health support is a right—not a privilege—for all.