PROJECT BHALAKUSHARI

We are working together to better understand and support the mental well-being of older Bhutanese communities in the U.S.

This project is a collaboration between the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg (BCH) and Lehigh University, bringing together academic researchers with expertise in mental health and community-based research, alongside Bhutanese community members who bring valuable lived experiences and cultural knowledge.

This five-year initiative focuses on Bhutanese individuals aged 50 and older, exploring how their experiences of forced displacement and life in a new country affect their mental health today. We’re using a community-driven approach built on a 10-year partnership between researchers and Bhutanese communities in the eastern U.S. Together, we aim to better understand their psycho-social well-being, the support systems they rely on, and how to strengthen care and connection within the community.

OUR STUDY GOALS

1. Listen to stories of support

We want to hear how Bhutanese community members aged 50 and older find social support through friends, family, and community—and how that support affects their mental well-being.

2. Understand long-term challenges and strengths

Over the next three years, we will track how life before and after moving to the U.S. has shaped the mental health of Bhutanese individuals aged 50 and older.

3. Learn from Caregivers

We will listen to community members who are caring for adults aged 50 and older and study how caregiving affects both their mental health and the well-being of those they care for.