05/20/2026
Raksha’s Executive Director Aparna Bhattacharyya was on a panel discussion on community trauma and resilience in immigrant and refugee populations at the 30th Rosalyn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum. Hosted by The Carter Center, this forum brings together service providers, policymakers, advocates, and individuals with lived experience from across Georgia to engage in open dialogue on timely and pressing mental health issues.*
“What a gift to be here to celebrate the legacy of Rosalyn Carter and her work to address mental health in our communities. It was such an important opportunity to talk about the needs of South Asian, immigrant and refugee populations,” shared Aparna Bhattacharyya.
The panel addressed systemic needs and gaps: advocacy for youth who need services when cultural stigma, fear and lack of resources become a barrier to parental consent; and the need for integrating mental health services in our schools, faith institutions and community.
Aparna also highlighted the harmful impacts of the current climate - war, hate crimes, the dehumanization of our communities - on collective mental well-being. “We need to find joy in community, connection, and the small things,” she added.
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[In the pics]
1. The panel: Belisa Urbina (Ser Familia), Temple Moore (Refugee Women’s Network), and Dr. Amin Gilani (Alabama Psychiatry), Aashna Panjwani, (The Carter Center), Aparna Bhattacharyya (ED, Raksha Inc).
2. Raksha ED with Board Member Bidisha Sinha.
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*Sources & More Info:
30th Rosalyn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum, The Carter Center (May 19, 2026). https://www.cartercenter.org/events/30th-rosalynn-carter-georgia-mental-health-forum/