An interactive town hall event centered on mental health, with a focus on mindfulness, was held at the Sikh Community Center in Yuba City on March 24. The event, organized by the Khair Program, a substance use prevention and education initiative under the Jakara Movement, also included discussions on tobacco education.
The Khair Program, a Punjabi Sikh leadership group, has long worked to support youth in the community. During the event, several presenters, including interns from local high schools, took to the stage to share insights on mental health and offer resources for coping with stress.
Harleen Kaur, Health and Wellness Fellow for the Yuba City Khair Program, introduced the event, emphasizing the significance of mental health education. “Mental health is just as important as physical health,” Kaur stated. “The goal was to educate students about coping strategies, particularly since stress is a major issue for high school students.”
The town hall featured contributions from Yuba City High School and River Valley High School students, who served as interns. The interns spoke about the importance of mental well-being, highlighting strategies to cope with stress and other mental health challenges.
Among the key presentations, Amrit Chauhan from Sutter Yuba Behavioral Health Services introduced the concept of mindfulness. Defined by the American Psychological Association, mindfulness is described as the “awareness of one’s internal states and surroundings,” and it can help individuals manage emotions and avoid automatic, destructive reactions.
Chauhan’s session was complemented by José Montoya from the California Health Collaborative’s STAAND program, who emphasized the power of breath as a grounding tool. “Your breath is like a remote control – when you focus on it, you can slow things down and feel calmer,” Montoya explained during his slideshow presentation. Visual aids, such as an image of a remote control and a meditator, reinforced this idea.
Montoya also shared a metaphorical illustration: “Think of your mind as a snow globe – when you’re stressed, it’s all shaken up. Mindfulness helps you pause and let the snow settle so you can think clearly.”
Additionally, Montoya discussed the importance of mindfulness as a natural tool for managing anxiety. He cautioned against external pressures, noting that industries often capitalize on people’s anxiety, citing the 89 tobacco retailers in Sutter County as an example. Montoya highlighted Kick It California, a free program dedicated to helping individuals quit tobacco use, encouraging attendees to access support through the program.
The town hall was not only informative but also interactive. Attendees participated in a Four Corners game, where they physically moved to different corners of the room based on their agreement or disagreement with various statements about mental health. This activity provided a platform for attendees to express their opinions on mental health issues.
The event provided a valuable space for education and open dialogue about mental health and tobacco prevention, offering attendees tools to improve their well-being.
Related Topics
