Female BIPOC Founder Celebrates 20 Years Showcasing The South Asian Community & Creating Awareness For Mental Health During May’s South Asian Heritage Month x Mental Health Awareness Month
Toronto, ON | Wednesday April 26th, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
An arranged marriage led Raj Girn, founder of ANOKHI LIFE, to emigrate from the United Kingdom to Canada in 1992, where she knew no one and like many immigrants, had to start her life from scratch. Many challenges led to the end of the marriage after 10 years, where Raj was left feeling unseen as a divorced, BIPOC single mother.
Raj did not want other immigrants, especially women, to have to go through what she did with very limited resources available that prolonged her depression and mental health challenges. To speak to this, she founded ANOKHI in 2002 to bridge the gap between the South Asian community and mainstream society in North America, so that the community could be seen, heard and valued. And although she had no business or media degree to qualify her, she had a mission to create awareness that has lasted 20 years.
In honor of May’s South Asian Heritage Month x Mental Health Awareness Month, ANOKHI’s 20th anniversary will celebrate the success of the South Asian community and create awareness for mental health.
DID YOU KNOW:
There are 2.6 million people of South Asian origin in Canada, representing seven percent of the population and the country’s largest racialized group. This population has a higher rate of anxiety and mood disorders, but is also 85% less likely to seek treatment due to many factors, including socioeconomic disparities, cultural differences and stigma (camh.ca).
Recently, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has shared new evidence-based tools and training to support the mental health of South Asian Canadians. This new research provides evidence that culturally adapted cognitive behavioural therapy is a more effective treatment for the South Asian population than traditional psychotherapy. More details available HERE.
It is this research and associated therapy, that ANOKHI is aligning it’s 20th anniversary (#ANOKHI20) milestone festivities with, by partnering with CAMH as follows:
Part 1 – ‘CIRLE OF TRUST’ Video Series (May 2023):
The ‘Circle Of Trust’ Video Series will feature prominent personalities, influencers, and celebrities who will be sharing their stories around the importance of mental health. They will also be providing some resources and tips on what they do for their personal self-care.
Throughout the month of May, this video series can be viewed HERE.
Part 2 – MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS Brunch (June 17th, 2023):
Brunch discussing mental health with meditation, keynote, panel, fireside chat & opportunity for attendees to discuss mental heath, with prominent personalities from the South Asian community. Keynote will be presented by CAMH.
Event Details:
ANOKHI EMERALD BRUNCH
June 17th, 2023 | 10 am – 2 pm
Westin Toronto Airport Hotel
950 Dixon Road, Toronto.
For media accreditation, please sign up HERE.
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For Details Of Full Programming: www.anokhi20.com/program.
To interview Raj Girn, please email: [email protected].
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#ANOKHI20 SPONSORS & PARTNERS:
- EVENT HOST: Anokhi Life
- CHARITY PARTNER: Centre For Addiction & Mental Health
- VENUE & HOTEL PARTNER: Westin Toronto Airport Hotel
- TALENT SPONSOR: The Open Chest Confidence Academy
- PLATINUM SPONSOR: KFI The Indian Sauce Company
- GOLD SPONSOR: Keek, Mantella Corporation, Rowenta
- GOLD SPONSOR/BROADCAST MEDIA PARTNER: Zee TV
- SILVER SPONSOR: Rubicon Exotic, Shana Foods
- SILVER SPONSOR/RADIO PARTNER: Rukus Avenue Radio
- BRONZE SPONSOR: Blue Peacock Vodka, Five Rivers Whiskey
- FRONT STAGE LOGISTICS & SHOW MANAGEMENT: Styleworthy
- BACKSTAGE MANAGEMENT & FASHION CHOREOGRAPY: Toronto Fashion Academy
- DECOR PARTNER: Top Diamond Events & Party Rentals
- DECOR CONSULTING PARTNER: Chic Events by Sonia
- AUDIO/VISUAL PARTNER: Empire Entertainment
- DESIGN & ANIMATIONS BY: Philip Studios
- ANNIVERSARY CAKE PROVIDED BY: Kate Frasch
- MEDIA & PR: Media Works
- RED CARPET COVERAGE: Anokhi Uncensored
- ONLINE MEDIA PARTNER: Dissdash, Sapna Toronto
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Stay tuned for Talent announcements coming soon!
FOR MEDIA ACCREDITATION: CLICK HERE
TO INTERVIEW FOUNDER RAJ GIRN: CLICK HERE
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About ANOKHI LIFE
ANOKHI LIFE (previously ANOKHI MEDIA) was founded in 2002 by its award-winning President and CEO Raj Girn, who had the vision of creating a one-stop multimedia resource to communicate and engage intimately with the global South Asian community to which she belongs, as well as provide a platform for relevant and penetrative connectivity between the community and the commercial world at large. With this as the central focus and mission statement, Raj and her team set forth to create a brand that would forge this vision into the mindshare of the community and market share of the client.
ANOKHI LIFE’s portfolio includes a robust online community with an online magazine blog, 2 video channels, a radio show, an annual awards show, a boutique event series, a weekly newsletter, and a global social media network. They have also garnered an extensive, long-term, multi-national client base due to their innovative strategies and pioneering initiatives. The brand has become North America’s premier “go to” information resource for all aspects associated with South Asian pop culture, lifestyle and entertainment, for the consumer, the media and the commercial sector.