मन मुक्ति · Mental Liberation
MannMukti translates to “mental liberation” in Hindi. We operate as a university chapter of the national MannMukti organization. Our mission is to encourage healthy, open dialogue of South Asian mental health issues in an effort to remove stigma, improve awareness and promote self-care. Through grassroots advocacy, research, and outreach, we hope to normalize this topic of conversation within the South Asian diaspora and increase access to culturally specific care.
Our Team
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PALLAVI BADRI (she/her)
Co-President, Psychobiology '26
Pallavi is a 3rd year Psychobiology major, interested in pursuing a career in clinical psychology. She joined MannMukti her freshman year to find South Asian community at UCLA. As co-president, she is looking forward to continue building this community and doing more to encourage open dialogue about South Asian mental health. Her favorite South Asian snacks are green kurkure and samosas. She’s always happy to talk about reading, tv shows and movies, and spots to hang out in LA, so feel free to ask her about that as well as for any school or life advice!
SHIVANI MOHAPATRA (she/her)
Internal Vice President, MIMG '26
Shivani is a 3rd year MIMG major, interested in pursuing a career in public health and epidemiology. She joined MannMukti to find community at UCLA, and a space to talk about mental health without judgement. As co-president she’s looking forward to building the community, and expanding South Asian specific resources available at UCLA. Her favorite South Asian snacks are pani puri and mudhi masala. She’s always open to talking, and feel free to ask her about books, school, crafting, and the best places to watch sunsets!
AKANSHA (she/her)
Operations Director, Neuroscience ‘25
Akansha is a 4th-year Neuroscience major and Brain and Behavioral Health minor interested in pursuing a career in clinical psychology research or public health. She joined MannMukti to be part of a community that values South Asian mental health, and as a board member, she’s excited to help expand outreach opportunities and boost the social aspect of the club by planning fun social events. She has lived in California all her life, but her family is from Hyderabad, TG and Kashmir. Her favorite South Asian snacks are sev dahi puri and Gobi 65. She loves to chat, so feel free to talk to her about school, the best places to grab food in LA, stationery, and games she can play on her phone.
ARYAN JAIN (he/him)
Finance Director, Psychobiology '27
Aryan is a 2nd-year Psychobiology major and prospective Brain and Behavioral Health minor interested in pursuing a career in medicine. He joined MannMukti to become a part of a community that also wants to destigmatize the topic of mental health within South Asians, and as a board member, he is excited to lead the SAATHI peer mentoring program for the year, as well as provide funding for our club. His favorite South Asian snacks are samosas and Parle G. Feel free to ask him any questions about school, and he loves coffee, photography, movies/tv shows, and aviation!
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VIDHI DEV (she/they)
Communications Director, Psychology & Sociology '25
Vidhi is a fourth year Psychology and Sociology major aiming to pursue a career in clinical psychology. They joined MannMukti in search of a community that respects and understands all identities within the South Asian community and they have been a member since their first year at UCLA. They’re excited to return as MannMukti’s Communications Director this year. They’re looking forward to connecting with everyone who is a part of MannMukti and building a community where people can talk about mental health openly and get support from each other. In their spare time, they love watching lots of movies and TV shows and trying out different cafes :) They can’t wait to work with everyone to make a safe space for all South Asians!