{"id":1050,"date":"2026-04-07T08:52:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:52:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/?p=1050"},"modified":"2026-04-18T22:00:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T22:00:36","slug":"mental-health-is-health-how-communities-shape-our-well-being","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/2026\/04\/07\/mental-health-is-health-how-communities-shape-our-well-being\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health is Health: How Communities Shape Our Well-Being"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are happy to share that our second panel discussion will take place in Boston, USA. MHAI will lead a panel discussion titled \u201cMental Health is Health: How Communities Shape Our Well-Being\u201d at the Watertown Free Public Library on April 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:8px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"1058\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/2026\/04\/07\/mental-health-is-health-how-communities-shape-our-well-being\/123-main-st-watertown-ma-02472\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/123-Main-St.-Watertown-MA-02472.png\" data-orig-size=\"1650,1650\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"123 Main St., Watertown, MA 02472\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/123-Main-St.-Watertown-MA-02472-1024x1024.png\" src=\"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/123-Main-St.-Watertown-MA-02472-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1058\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/123-Main-St.-Watertown-MA-02472-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/123-Main-St.-Watertown-MA-02472-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/123-Main-St.-Watertown-MA-02472-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/123-Main-St.-Watertown-MA-02472.png 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This event is part of the&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/week.mha.am\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Armenian Mental Health&nbsp;<em>Week<\/em><\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;initiative, taking place from 16 to 22 April 2026, a space dedicated to promoting mental health awareness across Armenian communities worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;<em><strong>Week<\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;serves as a shared platform for dialogue, connection, and collective reflection across the globe. It aims to foster open conversations around mental health, reduce stigma, and highlight the importance of accessible and culturally relevant support systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Armenian Mental Health&nbsp;<em>Week<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;encourages a global conversation that connects communities, promotes openness, and contributes to a more supportive and resilient mental health landscape across Armenian and broader communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We invite you to join us and take part in this conversation. Through this event, we aim to explore how mental health shapes both individual and community well-being, and how communities, in turn, influence mental health. We hope to create a space for thoughtful dialogue, shared perspectives, and meaningful connection across experiences and contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:128px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About The Panel Discussion  x Agenda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This panel is a community-centered discussion that brings together clinical professionals, public system leaders, and community representatives to explore how mental health is understood, experienced, and shaped within the environments we live in. Moving beyond individual perspectives, the conversation highlights the role of communities, institutions, and systems in influencing mental well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As part of <a href=\"https:\/\/week.mha.am\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Armenian Mental Health <em>Week<\/em><\/strong><\/a> initiative, the event also creates a space to connect Armenian and Armenian-American communities, encouraging dialogue, shared learning, and opportunities for ongoing collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:64px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>02:30 PM \u2013 03:15 PM | Registration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:64px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>03:15 PM \u2013 04:15 PM | Panel #1: Mental Health? What Do You Mean?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The opening panel focuses on how mental health is defined and perceived across different contexts. It explores the differences between how individuals and communities understand mental health and how it is framed within professional and policy environments. By examining these perspectives together, the panel aims to expand the conversation beyond common assumptions and introduce a more comprehensive understanding of mental health as an essential part of everyday life.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>03:15 PM \u2013 03:25 PM | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.williamjames.edu\/about\/profiles\/faculty\/catherine-vuky.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr Catherine Vuky, William James College<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>03:25 PM \u2013 03:35 PM | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youngpscworks.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr Aleesha N. Young, President, Massachusetts Psychological Association<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>03:35 PM &#8211; 03:45 PM | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mamh.org\/about\/team\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr Danna Mauch, President, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>03:45 PM \u2013 04:00 PM | Q&amp;A<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>04:00 PM \u2013 04:15 PM | Break<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:64px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>04:15 PM \u2013 05:15 PM | Panel #2: Different Communities &#8211; Common Challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second panel looks at how communities shape mental health outcomes and how mental health, in turn, affects communities. It highlights the real-life implications of unmet mental health needs, including their impact on social dynamics, public systems, and institutional responses. Through practical insights and examples, the discussion emphasizes the shared responsibility of communities and systems in supporting mental well-being.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>04:15 PM \u2013 04:30 PM | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cambridgema.gov\/Departments\/peacecommission\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Saffana Anwar, Executive Director, City of Cambridge<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>04:30 PM \u2013 04:45 PM | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.middlesexsheriff.org\/Directory.aspx?EID=17\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian, Middlesex County<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>04:45 PM \u2013 05:00 PM | Q&amp;A<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>05:00 PM \u2013 05:15 PM | Break<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:64px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>05:15 PM \u2013 06:00 PM | Panel #3: Armenian Lenses on Mental Health<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final panel brings the discussion into the Armenian context, exploring how mental health is addressed within communities in Armenia and across the diaspora. It highlights the roles of public institutions, professional networks, and community-based initiatives in responding to existing needs and shaping future approaches. This panel highlights the importance of collaboration and continued engagement in strengthening mental health support across Armenian communities.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>05:15 PM \u2013 05:25 PM | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/george-gevorg-gharibyan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gevorg Gharibyan, HCPC-licensed clinical psychologist, Head of the Department of Children and Social Protection, Yerevan Municipality<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>05:25 PM \u2013 05:35 PM | <a href=\"https:\/\/aamaboston.org\/board-of-directors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr Armineh Mirzabegian, Board Member at Armenian American Medical Association of the Greater Boston Area<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/profile\/sally-vanerian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr Sally Salpy Vanerian<\/a>, Veterans Administration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>05:35 PM \u2013 05:45 PM | <a href=\"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/about-us\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Artak Begoyan, Co-founder and Director, Mental Health Awareness Initiative NGO<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>05:45 PM \u2013 06:00 PM | Q&amp;A<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:64px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>06:00 PM \u2013 06:30 PM | Reception<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:128px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We are happy to share that our second panel discussion will take place in Boston, USA. MHAI will lead a panel discussion titled \u201cMental Health is Health: How Communities Shape Our Well-Being\u201d at the Watertown Free Public Library on April 17. This event is part of the&nbsp;Armenian Mental Health&nbsp;Week&nbsp;initiative, taking place from 16 to 22 <a href=\"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/2026\/04\/07\/mental-health-is-health-how-communities-shape-our-well-being\/\" class=\"more-link\">..read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Mental Health is Health: How Communities Shape Our Well-Being<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1054,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,45,5,18],"tags":[46,47],"class_list":["post-1050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-awareness","category-event","category-mental-health","category-mental-health-care","tag-community","tag-minority-communities"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Mental-Health-is-Health-How-Communities-Shape-Our-Well-Being.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1050"}],"version-history":[{"count":32,"href":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1093,"href":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1050\/revisions\/1093"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mha.am\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}