Shakti Mental Health September newsletter
A home for South Asian mental health in Melbourne. Events, community and conversations for those who've been told to just get on with it.
Shakti Mental Health: September Newsletter
Hey everyone, Jagesh from Shakti Mental Health, Welcome to our September edition of the Shakti Mental Health newsletter! This month marked RU OK day to promote suicide prevention and remind our community that meaningful conversations can support our wellbeing and make a difference. For many South Asians migrating to Australia rates of overall mental health tend to be poor compared to the general Australian population. A 2025 study Australian study reported that one in six Indian Australians had a higher prevalence of depression compared to the general Australian population. South Asian migrants who migrate to Australia face a range of challenges, including cultural adjustment, language barriers, employment, and housing issues in settling down (Pandey et al, 2025). This month we have a range of programs that support South Asians to have meaningful conversations including our multicultural seniors chai and chat and our open mic night, creative writing workshop. Words of wellbeing: Each month our newsletter will introduce you to a different word in South Asian language used to convey wellbeing and emotions. South Asian words that explain feelings and emotions English never could. Sukoon سُکون (Urdu) A Urdu term that describes deep calm, stillness, and inner peace the kind of quiet that settles the mind and heart. Used in a sentence: Urdu: کچھ زخم لفظوں سے نہیں، صرف سکون کی نرم روشنی سے بھرنے لگتے ہیں۔ English: Some wounds don’t heal through words, only through the soft light of sukoon Phonetic: Kuch zakhm lafzon se nahi, sirf sukoon ki narm roshni se bharne lagte hain In solidarity, Jagesh: Shakti Mental Health
Multicultural seniors chai and chat
Shakti Mental Health and the Multicultural Women’s Alliance Againt Family Violence (MWAAFV) invite South Asian and multicultural seniors to a warm, catered Chai & Chat lunch. This gentle community gathering offers a welcoming space to share stories, enjoy a comforting meal, and take part in supportive conversations. DATE: Saturday 19th September TIME: 12pm - 3pm LOCATION: Marriot Waters community centre, 25 Boland Drive Lyndhurst FREE event Register below
Open mic night and creative writing workshop: September Safe Spaces program
Join us for an evening of gentle creativity, shared voices and community connection. This combined open mic night and writing workshop invites South Asian and multicultural community members to explore storytelling as a tool for expression, healing and collective wellbeing. DATE: Friday 25th September. TIME: 7:00pm - 9:00pm. LOCATION:Dukkana (99 - 101 Harding Street Coburg). FREE EVENT Supported by Roses in the Ocean, Shakti Mental Health and Umeed Psychology. Email: melbournesafespaces@gmail.com
The Lifting Collective: South Asian mens weightlifting and wellbeing program
Lifting Minds is proud to introduce a one of a kind group therapy for those who want to combine psychological health and physical health with other like minded individuals. Starting in September, we will be collaborating with Shakthi Mental Health, Umeed Psychology and Elemental Strength Society to bring to you South Asian Lifting Mens Edition DATE: Late September - Late Ocotober TIME: TBC LOCATION: Elemental Strength Society, Deer Park. Register interest via email: info@liftingminds.org
Partner events! Ghar: Location Not Found (Jasmine Babbar) Melbourne Fringe Festival
What if home isn’t a place you can find on Google Maps? Ghar (home) is a storytelling experience with poetry, music, humour. It’s for anyone who has lived in more than one place and wondered where they truly belong. A raw, intimate and unexpectedly funny story about leaving home, losing it, and looking for it in other people. A reminder that we keep searching for home inside people who can barely text back. Let's find our permanent home together one story at a time. DATE: 10th - 18th October TIME: Available via link below LOCATION: Melbourne CBD (via the link below) TICKETS: $20 - $27 Email or DM shakti for a promo code!
VOLUNTEER WITH SHAKTI MENTAL HEALTH
Interested in volunteering? We are looking for workshop and discussion facilitators, grant writing and resource creation, event and social media support. Apply via the link below.
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