Presented by Asian & Asian American Studies

Featuring:

Rochelle L. Frounfelker, ScD, MPH, MSSW, Lehigh University

Tej Mishra, MPH, Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg

Starting in the mid-1980’s, over 100,000 ethnic Nepali were forcibly evicted from the country of Bhutan. They lived in refugee camps in Nepal for close to 20 years until third country resettlement began in 2008. Since that time, the majority have resettled in the United States, with a large community residing in central Pennsylvania.

This talk describes a program of research, Project Bhalakushari, started in 2017 that focuses on the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of older ethnic-Nepali Bhutanese adults using a community-based participatory research approach. We will share findings from pilot mixed methods research as well as activities currently taking place via a research partnership between Lehigh University and the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg, a self-help organization that promotes the interests of over 40,000 ethnic-Nepali Bhutanese in central Pennsylvania. Critically, we aim to frame our work within the larger context of what health and well-being means to this community, encompassing components such as cultural preservation, religious freedom, economic success, educational advancement, civic engagement and belonging. The goal for this talk is to generate ideas and opportunities for interdisciplinary and intercollegiate collaboration related to this project.

RSVP Here by 4/16