About Us

The Be Well Initiative (BWI) has its roots in human suffering, specifically aiding the Nepali diaspora, profoundly impacted by the 2015 Nepal Earthquake.

Nepali Americans found comfort/solace among people from all walks of life, including White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) friends. Deeply empathetic to the Nepali diaspora, these allies also guided collaborative thinking to alleviate suffering in our adopted homeland. Scientists, advocates, professionals, and community leaders systematically gathered to join hands and problem-solve. Organizations such as NAAPIMHA, Ohio Dept. of Mental Health, ASIA, SANN, ACRS and Adhikaar have supported our efforts with their experience and credibility.

Professional Counseling Network

As we all are going through this unprecedented and unsettling time of Covid-19, the need for Mind-Body Health Education & Counseling is growing rapidly. In this time of crisis, we need all hands to support each other, from those in the health care front lines to people working the grocery lines. We appreciate the sacrifice that essential workers are making during this crisis. And, because of the extraordinary times and their concern for our community, the following professionals have agreed to provide further assistance.

Maria Alfonso, LPC (Spanish)
Suresh Lama, Eclectic Counselor
Dr. Rosina Manandhar, Mental Health Expert
Kripa Sigdel, Ph.D Scholar & Mental Health Counselor
Sujan Shrestha, Clinical Psychologist

Please contact us: bewell2072@gmail.com

BWI Statement

What we stand for

  • Developing psycho-social support for individuals, families, and the entire community.
  • Building a mind-body health and wellness “prevention” as well as early counseling intervention infrastructure that supports everyday family and community health and vitality.
  • Being a resource in dealing with potential future disasters.
  • Evolving resource bridges between communities and government, non-profit, and private resources.

A model is envisioned for individuals, families, and even communities as a whole:

  • to progressively strengthen psycho-social health and mind-body well-being.
  • to increase a sense of sharing, openness, and psychosocial connection within a variety of personal to communal group settings.
  • to more effectively use existing community resources for stress-transition resilience and to close resource gaps, and 4) through education, prevention, and early intervention, live healthier and more productive lives.

As the BWI team of experts probed into emotional wellsprings and stories of individuals, families and groups, qualitative knowledge about Nepali diaspora community health and wellness emerged. Identified key stress factors are as follows:

  • Life in the United States
    Pursuing the American Dream
  • Balancing act
    The emotional and societal expectations of families back-home is another pressure-packed dimension in this population’s “survival of the fittest” chase of the “American Dream,”
  • Sacred Spaces
    Individuals’ mind-body space is so sacred that one does not disclose even when the mind itself is in crisis. (Of course, shame can also impede sharing.) Consequently, too many minor mind-body issues are not addressed until the eruption of severe depression, personality disorders, domestic and substance abuse and, even, suicide.
  • Outreach
    BWI plans to increase its outreach to the Nepali and South Asian Diaspora.
  • Cross-Cultural Partnership
    BWI continues its outreach to other immigrant communities for mutual learning and shared resources and support.
  • Resource Development
    BWI is developing partnership with CBOs for federal (SAMHSA) and private grants.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, feelings, or urges, contact emergency services at 911, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255