“It’s okay to not be okay,” Somaya Ahmady tells her clients, many of whom are immigrants, refugees, people of color and predominantly from marginalized minority communities. “Your mental health matters, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
For many, the words ‘mental health’ evoke a silent battle, one that is often fought quietly behind closed doors, especially among Asian, broader minority and immigrant communities where seeking help and caring for mental well-being can feel like a luxury. Overshadowed by language barriers, systemic barriers, economic hardships, stigma, cultural expectations, and where histories of displacement or persecution from home countries loom large.
As July marks Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, statistics paint a sobering picture. Asian Americans are three times less likely to seek mental health services and within immigrant communities, the rates of depression and anxiety soar, yet treatment remains elusive. And this is the reality Somaya Ahmady confronts daily in her role as a case manager at Eliot Community Human Services.
“I have a specific number of clients and I manage them – my responsibility is to check in with them on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, many are suffering from depression and schizophrenia,” she explains, her voice carrying a weight of understanding as someone who has walked this journey herself – An immigrant minority woman from Herat, Afghanistan, navigating the challenges of economic instability.
Somaya’s path to her current role began with our Community Health Work Training, where she developed the skills to lead with compassion and the belief that everyone deserves a chance to thrive. “I love my job after the training, this is what I wanted. Professionally I’m learning a lot,” Somaya reflects.
Her work extends far beyond traditional case management that could challenge even the most seasoned professionals. She provides housing support, food assistance, and financial aid while addressing the deeper wounds of mental health issues. The conditions, she notes, often begin in childhood, creating trauma patterns that ripple through generations.
The work is humbling but demanding. Her passion is evident but what sets Somaya apart isn’t just her clinical skills, it’s her profound understanding and active listening approach, taught in our CHW training that transforms lives. She makes her clients feel seen and heard, creating space for stories that are shrouded with cultural sensitivities, language barriers, and the deep-seated shame that often accompanies mental health struggles.
“No one should face these challenges alone. With the right resources, care, and commitment, recovery and stability are possible. You deserve dignity, respect, and access to the tools that can help you lead a fulfilling and meaningful life.”
These aren’t just words on a page – they are a manifesto for change.
As we observe Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, Somaya’s story reminds us that transformation happens one conversation at a time, one client at a time, one moment of radical acceptance at a time.
She doesn’t just tell her clients they matter; she shows up week after week, proving it through presence and persistence. She’s redefining what it means to seek help, and we all can help create this ripple effect where seeking help is reframed as an act of strength, and where cultural identity and mental wellness can coexist.
Apply to our upcoming Fall Training: awfh.org/Fall25Application
With Gratitude,
Ameena Qayyum (Communications Coordinator, AWFH)
