JiVA Mental Health

A non-profit initiative designed to shatter the South Asian mental health stigma by creating accessible mental health & support services for South Asian American individuals, families, and communities.

JiVA collectively empowers the human spirit and promotes your journey toward strengthening mental well-being.

All donations to this 501 3(c) are tax deductible and receipts will be provided to your email. Thank you for your generosity in shattering the silence and stigma within the South Asian communities

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JiVA Mental Health began just as an idea

A vision that was created over a bite with Pooja Batra at the local Indian restaurant, with notes scribbled on the phone.

Little did we know the vision would spark such passion and quickly develop into a South Asian Health Awareness Society that rebranded and launched as JiVA Mental Health.

From the moment we announced JiVA Mental Health, the response was overwhelming — emails poured in, and messages surged within weeks of going live. It was clear we had tapped into a deeply felt need in the South Asian community.

Mental Health Services

Virtual mental health therapy services are available for California residents starting January 2024.

The populations we are serving:

Individuals: Adults & Teens (age 13+)
Couples
South Asian Americans
Multicultural Immigrants & Families
South Asian LGBTQIA+

Scholarships & Pro bono services are available based on funding for those who are in need.

Post Partum Training

In Partnership with Postpartum Support International (PSI), Jiva Mental Health is offering scholarships to South Asian Health Care professionals and family members in California to be certified in Perinatal Mental Health.

As of December 2023, the PSI platform only has 1 trained South Asian in postpartum care. In efforts to increase accessibility to South Asian mothers and families in California, Jiva is committed to having 5 South Asian Perinatal Mental Health professionals and community men trained by the end of 2025.

The Perinatal Mental Health Certification Program creates a structure for professional education and evaluation, and a standardization of training and experience to inform families of perinatal mental health specialists.

Please apply by filling out the application on the Documents tab.

Meaning of JiVA

JiVA (n): a concept with it's roots in Sanskrit and in several South Asian philosophies and religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Jainism that translates to 'to breathe' or 'to live.

JiVA then refers to a living being with a life force energy embodied within. It is interpreted as the soul that goes through cycles of birth and rebirth, much like that of your life.

JiVA Mental Health deeply resonates with the principles of individual experience and the journey of the soul - themes that are often reflected in the holistic approach to mental health care and wellness.