Volunteer for Chai & Chat
We gathered representatives from the South Asian community on April 17, 2025 to consider the opportunity to launch a Chai & Chat program in Massachusetts. Chai & Chat is part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Sharing Hope Series, a cross-cultural initiative to destigmatize mental health in diverse communities. It is an opportunity to hold listening circles for, by and about South Asian communities and provide the opportunity to validate and explore participants’ mental wellness journeys and discover avenues of support. Here is a link to our newsletter article about that webinar: namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/chai-chat-intro.
Structure of Chai & Chat
The program consists of three 1.5 hour meetings, generally scheduled once per week, either online or in person. A NAMI trained Facilitator oversees the discussion during all three conversations.
First Conversation: We begin with an informal discussion on what mental health means to participants, how they feel their community can support them, and the barriers they face. This conversation is guided by two videos created by NAMI that we watch together as a group, focusing on intergenerational trauma and the cycle of mental health challenges within families.
Second Conversation: We invite a South Asian expert from the mental health field, who has experience working with South Asian clients, to join us. Topics include how to find a good therapist, what to expect in therapy, and self-care strategies.
Third Conversation: This session is dedicated to recognizing signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, identifying when someone may be experiencing a crisis, and understanding when to seek help. We also provide South Asian-specific resources curated by NAMI National. Additionally, a panel of South Asians with lived experiences shares their journeys, discussing how they overcame mental health challenges and are now thriving.
Volunteer Opportunities
NAMI Central Middlesex is powered 100% by volunteers. The building of the Chai & Chat program will follow that model. Since the program is For, By, and About South Asians, all facilitators and participants should be of South Asian origin. Please consider these five roles.
Facilitator: Volunteers for this role must complete NAMI’s five hour training program, split into two Zoom based sessions. They should have personal experience with mental health conditions, either as an individual or as a family member.
Behavioral Healthcare Professional: Have the professional background to work with the Facilitator to cover the Conversation 2 topics noted above.
Peer Panelist: Be prepared to answer questions posed by the Facilitator in Conversation 3 about your experience living with a mental health condition, seeking care, and maintaining life balance.
Family Panelist: Be prepared to answer questions posed by the Facilitator in Conversation 3 about your experience loving and supporting someone who lives with a mental health condition.
Administrator: Manage information about volunteers on a spreadsheet and help with scheduling volunteers.
If you would like to be part of growing this program, please click the button below and fill out the Volunteer Interest Form. If you are already confident that you would like to be trained as a facilitator, please fill out the Facilitator Training Sign Up form as well.
Attending a Future Session of Chai & Chat
It will be a few months before we offer a Chai & Chat program, most likely online. If you would like NAMI Central Middlesex to contact you about the opportunity to attend a future session, please click on the button below and fill out the Waitlist form.