Title: “We are all under the same roof”: Project Bhalakushari and Bhutanese with a Refugee Life
Experience
Presenters: Rochelle L. Frounfelker, ScD, MPH, MSSW (Lehigh University)
Tej Mishra, MPH (Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg)
Abstract: Starting in the mid-1980’s, over 100,000 ethnic Nepali were forcibly evicted from the
country of Bhutan. They lived in refugee camps in Nepal for close to 20 years until third country
resettlement began in 2008. Since that time, the majority have resettled in the United States,
with a large community residing in central Pennsylvania. This talk describes a program of
research, Project Bhalakushari, started in 2017 that focuses on the mental health and
psychosocial wellbeing of older ethnic-Nepali Bhutanese adults using a community-based
participatory research approach. We will share findings from pilot mixed methods research as
well as activities currently taking place via a research partnership between Lehigh University
and the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg, a self-help organization that promotes the
interests of over 40,000 ethnic-Nepali Bhutanese in central Pennsylvania. Critically, we aim to
frame our work within the larger context of what health and well-being means to this
community, encompassing components such as cultural preservation, religious freedom,
economic success, educational advancement, civic engagement and belonging. The goal for this
talk is to generate ideas and opportunities for interdisciplinary and intercollegiate collaboration
related to this project.