Mental Health Awareness Month

Traditionally celebrated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. To continue the conversation on mental health, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is proud to collaborate with Dr. Nadine A. Chang and Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam to present a series of public programs that address the importance of mental health.

MOCA TALKS: Generational Differences in View of Mental Health

MOCA FEATURES: Tibetan Meditation Workshop with Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam

MOCA TALKS

Generational Differences in View of Mental Health

Wednesday, May 3, 2023, from 6:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. EST |

Virtual on Zoom, conducted in Mandarin Chinese

Free Admission | Open to General Public

Register

There are many misconceptions, stigmas, and stereotypes regarding mental health among Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, and many of these beliefs are culturally based. Generational differences in view of mental health, particularly the stigma of mental illness, also impact knowledge and utilization of effective treatments. In our discussion of mental health across generations, we aim to describe differences amongst age groups and generational status, provide resources for support and treatment, and share strategies for discussing this often-difficult topic with family and friends. This panel discussion will be conducted in Mandarin Chinese, and will be followed by a Q&A session. Questions in both Mandarin Chinese and English are welcomed.

About the Speakers

Nadine A. Chang, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist, Chair of the Asian Psychiatry Program Committee, and a training director of the Clinical Psychology Externship Program at Gracie Square Hospital, a freestanding inpatient psychiatric hospital affiliated with New York-Presbyterian. Dr. Chang also holds faculty appointments as Assistant Attending Psychologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry (Courtesy) at Weill Cornell Medicine, and serves as Inpatient Rotation Director for the APA-accredited predoctoral psychology internship program at Hamilton Madison House. Dr. Chang earned her Ph.D. in Clinical and School Psychology at Hofstra University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at St. Barnabas Hospital in Bronx, NY, and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine with Dr. Aaron Beck, receiving the NIH National Research Service Award for this work. Recently, Dr. Chang was awarded a grant from the New York Community Trust to fund community outreach efforts with Asian communities in New York City. Dr. Chang’s interests continue to focus on implementing and disseminating cognitive-behavioral interventions for psychosis, suicide prevention and Asian American mental health.

Shunling Chen is the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Asian Psychiatry Program at Gracie Square Hospital, affiliated with New York-Presbyterian, where she serves as the primary liaison between the hospital and community organizations disseminating mental health information. Shunling completed her bachelor's degree at Hunter College with a double major in Chinese and Psychology, and is currently completing her master's degree in Mental Health Counseling, also at Hunter. Prior to joining the Gracie team, she worked at Community Counseling and Mediation (CCM) as an administrative program assistant at their behavioral health residence and at Womankind Domestic Violence Shelter for AAPI women as resident support. Shunling Chen is certified in youth, adult and older adult mental health first aid and is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Taishanese. She is dedicated to community outreach and AAPI mental health.

MOCA FEATURES

Tibetan Meditation Workshop with Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam

Friday, May 5, 2023, from 7:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. EST

Museum of Chinese in America | 215 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013

Free Admission | Open to General Public

Reserve for free

What is meditation? How does it benefit our well-being? In this workshop, Dr. Monlam will guide us into building a foundation for a meditation practice that’s appropriate to participants of all levels. In addition, we will also learn to practice Shamata (“single pointed” or “calm abiding” meditation), using supports such as breath, sound, sight, smell, taste, and other body sensations.

Class materials: Yoga mat or blanket (something to sit on), cushions optional.

About Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam

Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam has dedicated his career to the continuance of Tibetan Buddhist culture and language in modern society. Ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he studied and practiced as a Tibetan monk for ten years. Having advanced his studies through institutions for two decades, Dr. Chok has obtained multiple degrees in Buddhist and Tibetan studies, including his PhD from the University of Delhi. He has studied and trained for decades in Buddhist studies, Tibetan yoga, healing, and meditation under the direction of many renowned Tibetan teachers of the major and minor Tibetan Buddhist traditions. An author, translator, and language instructor, Dr. Chok served as the Head of Research and Translation Department at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala for thirteen years before relocating to the United States in 2019. Dr. Chok has taught prolifically in India, the United States, and over a dozen other countries, offering diverse and inclusive teaching series on meditation, Tibetan yoga, healing, Buddhist philosophy, and Tibetan language. He currently teaches Tibetan yoga and meditation at the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, is a participant instructor in the Brooklyn Public Library’s University Open Air program, and offers diverse and inclusive teaching series in partnership with multiple organizations.

MOCA has been creating new digital content through multiple platforms, always free of charge—because history matters. We hope you’ll consider making a gift to become part of a continuing lifeline for MOCA. No amount is too little and we greatly appreciate your generosity. Your contribution helps sustain our beloved institution and supports the creation of new, online programming that will bring comfort and inspiration to more communities.

Support

From MOCA's Friends

Reserve Tickets

The awe-inspiring music of award-winning electroacoustic violin/cello duo ARKAI in their 54 Below debut! Experience popular classics like ‘Sun and Moon’ and ‘Blackbird’ like never before alongside electrifying ARKAI originals in an unforgettable musical journey. They are joined by world-champion beatbox duo, SPIDERHORSE, for a genre-defying, one-night only musical experience unlike any other.

ARKAI is an award-winning electroacoustic duo that has inspired audiences around the world through their genre-defying string music. Graduates of The Juilliard School, their past engagements have included performances at The MET, Joe’s Pub, City Winery, Rockwood Music Hall, Lincoln Center, Musikfest, Jazz Aspen, Chateau Marmont, Carnegie Hall and TED. Recent highlights include opening for Oscar and Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste at NYC’s Javits Center.

Featuring:

• Chris Celiz and Gene Shinozaki (world-champion beatbox duo SPIDERHORSE)
• Wen-Ting Wu on drums

Follow @arkaimusic and learn more at arkaimusic.com.

Reserve Tickets

Experimental: Recent Work by Studio Zhu Pei

Friday, April 27, 2023, from 6:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. EST

Center for Architecture | 536 LaGuardia Place, New York, NY 10012

During this evening event, Zhu Pei will present recent work by Beijing-based Studio Zhu Pei, including the Imperial Kiln Museum, the Majiayao Ruins Museum Observatory, and the Zibo Art Center. The featured projects will guide attendees through an overview of the studio’s philosophy and material propositions, explaining how this philosophy is translated across different tectonic terrains with material integrity. The lecture will be followed by a conversation with Martino Stierli, MoMA's Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design, on the significance of the architectural and tectonic experiments presented. Copies of the book Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum (The Images Publishing Group, 2023) will be available for sale after the event.