Mental health awareness through storytelling & community dialogue |
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NOVEMBER MONTHLY SPOTLIGHT
Rcoz Inspires a High School
Mental Health Movement
“Nothing prepares you for 150 teenagers choosing honesty at the same time’ - Roopali Rajvanshy, Founder of Rcoz
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Last week, Rcoz hosted a youth mental-health workshop at BASIS Independent Fremont, led by our Youth Ambassador, Shreyas Jay. The conversation shifted when Roopali Rajvanshy asked, “Have you ever said you’re okay when you’re not?” One student admitted, “I don’t want to dump my problems on my friends,” and hands went up across the room. Quiet agreement turned into real dialogue in seconds.
Afterward, staff said, “We may need two or three more of these.” Thank you, BASIS Independent Fremont, for recognizing the need for this conversation.
This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for students who show up with courage. If you’d like a youth mental-health workshop at your Bay Area school, contact us at team@rcoz.us.
A Personal Message from Roopali “We Need Your Help Today!”
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Dear Rcoz Community,
This Giving Tuesday, I’m asking for your support. For generations, mental health in our South Asian community has been pushed into the shadows and the cost has been far too high. Every event we host reminds us how desperately this work is needed.
This year, we’ve shared real stories, created safe dialogue, and brought Desi mental-health experts into our community. But there’s still so much more to do, and we need your help now.
In 2026, two programs urgently need support:
• High School Changemaker Internship - Youth explore mental health, lead awareness conversations, and earn volunteer hours.
• South Asian Support Groups - Safe, culturally familiar spaces for connection, sharing, and support.
If you believe our community deserves better, give today: rcoz.us/donate
Workplace giving via Benevity? Search “Rcoz.us.”
With urgency and gratitude,
Roopali Rajvanshy
Founder & CEO, Rcoz
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Upcoming events
Dec 3 - Youth Unwind Hour: Mission Perfect (Feeling The Pressure?), 3:30pm - 5pm
Dec 4 -Rcoz South Asian Women’s Support Group, 11am-12pm
Dec 7 -Unpacking the Roles of South Asian Men (Men Only Event) 4pm - 6pm
Jan 8, 2026 -Rcoz South Asian Women’s Support Group, 11am-12pm
Feb 1 & Feb 7, 2026 -Chalo Baatein KarenTM (Let’s Just Talk) Sessions, Coming Soon!
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Introducing Rcoz Youth Ambassador Shreyas Jay
Creating Spaces for Mental Health Conversations in Local High Schools
“The HCSM program was the first time I felt truly seen, and it was where I first gained the knowledge and the vocabulary to address the lack of awareness within both the South Asian Community and an entire generation of Second-Gen immigrants” - Shreyas Jay
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Shreyas first realized the need for mental health awareness after sharing his own experiences and seeing how rarely these conversations happen in the South Asian community. Through Rcoz’s High School Changemaker (HSCM) program, he gained the tools and confidence to address this silence.
Now an Rcoz Youth Ambassador, Shreyas helps bring mental health awareness into Bay Area high schools. He recently led a youth-focused assembly at BASIS Independent Fremont Upper with over 150 students and is coordinating upcoming events, including a Youth Unwind Hour and a Chalo Baatein Karen™ session on February 1st.
Through Rcoz, he’s creating spaces where students can navigate academic pressures and cultural expectations while feeling seen, heard, and supported.
Learn more or support the Youth Ambassador Program at rcoz.us/donate.
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