Aarna Garg is a Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience major at the University of California, San Diego. Growing up in India, she witnessed the deep stigma and lack of awareness surrounding mental health, which inspired her to create spaces for open conversation and healing.

In 2020, she founded Accepting Who We Are, a digital initiative dedicated to raising awareness about mental health in underserved communities, reaching over 20,000 viewers through collaborations with therapists and wellness professionals.

Her experiences interning at hospitals and working with NGOs across rural India strengthened her resolve to make mental health education more accessible and culturally inclusive.

With a passion for breaking stigma and building community, Aarna continues to advocate for empathy, understanding, and representation in mental health conversations - work she hopes to expand through Thriving Asians.

Aarna joined the Thriving Asians Internship in 2025. As a Strategic Engagement Team Intern, she developed storytelling media to uplift Asian mental health narratives, and spotlight youth mental health leader advocacy efforts.

She continues her growth as a mental health leader at the University of California San Diego - remaining active in peer mental health, substance use, and harm reduction initiatives.