Giving South Asian teens the space to think, create, and speak up about mental health
The Rcoz High School Changemaker Program is a 4-week immersive experience where South Asian teens reflect on mental health issues that hit close to home and take the lead in starting conversations that matter.
Through expert-led sessions and hands-on projects, they explore the cultural pressures they face and find ways to share their stories, connect with others, and make mental health feel less distant and more real. This year’s participants worked closely with leading experts including Dr Seema Sehgal, MD, Dr. Apurva Bhatt, MD and Dr Hari Nair, MD.
Program Highlights
These sessions combine lived experiences with clinical tools and insights, helping Changemakers better understand and respond to the mental health needs of their peers.
Youth Unwind Hours
Candid, relatable conversations on topics like
- Between Two Worlds: Balancing Culture and Identity
- The Weight of Being Perfect: Debunking the Model Minority Myth featuring Dr. Apurva Bhatt
Health & Wellness Sessions
- Suicide Prevention Awareness with Julie Taylor, President from (The Sam Taylor Foundation)
- Substance Abuse and Overdose Awareness with April Rovero from The National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (NCAPDA)
- A Youth Mental Health Workshop unpacking the impact of culture and identity
Capstone Project
Changemakers are currently helping organize Rcoz’s flagship Chalo Baatein Karen (Let’s Just Talk) session, happening on June 29, 2025.
This year’s theme: Scroll. Click. Repeat: Are Today’s Youth Silently Struggling?
A conversation between teens, parents, and mental health experts on how social media is shaping the emotional lives of young people.
By the end of the program, Changemakers will have:
- Earned 24+ volunteer hours
- Gained real-world experience in event planning, communications & outreach
- Created content—blogs, posts, and campaigns that raise awareness
- Learned tools to support their own mental health and others’
- Added meaningful experience to their college applications
Program Dates: June 2 – June 29, 2025
Format: Virtual, with an in-person event on June 29 in Newark, CA
Applications for 2025 are now closed.
This event is a step toward building awareness and acceptance for better mental health in the South Asian community. Those wishing to support Rcoz, please know that every donation will have a direct impact on our programs and initiatives. To donate, [click here].