WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, May 10, marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day, which falls during both Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. AANHPI Mental Health Day promotes awareness of mental health issues that are specific to the AANHPI community.
To officially recognize today as National AANHPI Mental Health Day, CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), Doris Matsui (CA-07), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) introduced a congressional resolution today, along with its first-ever Senate companion, led by Senator Mazie Hirono (HI). Over 40 community organizations have come together to endorse this legislation at the federal level, while at the state and local levels, AANHPI mental health advocates from 37 different states and cities have submitted proclamation requests to commemorate this day.
May 10 has been recognized as AANHPI Mental Health Day since 2010, when it was first proclaimed in the State of California. In the United States, AANHPIs have the lowest rate of mental health care utilization compared to other racial or ethnic groups, with only 25 percent of Asian adults with a mental illness receiving treatment in 2021. In recent years, suicide has been the leading cause of death for AANHPI youth ages 10 through 24 in the United States, and AANHPI youth are the only racial or ethnic group in this age category with this first leading cause of death.
Click here to view the resolution.
CAPAC Members released the following statements:
CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28):
“AANHPI Mental Health Day serves as an significant reminder of the specific mental health challenges that AANHPIs face and how governments at every level must better serve their needs. As we know, there are several systemic barriers that contribute to alarming disparities between AANHPIs and other racial or ethnic groups, such as the stigma attached to mental health within our communities, a lack of culturally and linguistically competent behavioral health providers, and insufficient disaggregated data within research. As the only psychologist currently serving in Congress, I know how important it is to raise awareness of these issues so we can reduce the stigma, increase access to quality healthcare services, and ultimately improve the mental health of our communities. That is why every year I introduce a resolution recognizing AANHPI Mental Health Day and this year I am honored to lead the bill recognizing May 10, 2023, as National AANHPI Mental Health Day with CAPAC Members Reps. Matsui, Strickland, and Tokuda in the House and with Sen. Hirono leading the first-ever Senate companion.”
CAPAC First Vice-Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06):
“This Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day, we recognize the ongoing mental health struggles and barriers to mental health care faced by the AANHPI community. Compared to those of other racial and ethnic backgrounds, AANHPIs are the least likely to seek out and receive mental health care. We must continue to raise awareness of the mental health resources and services that exist and to decrease the stigma around seeking help. We must also expand access to mental health resources and services by increasing the number of providers offering in-language and culturally competent services to the AANHPI community. I am proud to have introduced the Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act, which would increase the number of qualified, behavioral health providers to provide care in Community Health Centers in languages other than English. I am grateful for today to bring awareness to the importance of mental health in the AANHPI community and I vow to continue my work to expand mental health care for all.”
CAPAC Second Vice-Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39):
“The AANHPI community’s low mental health help-seeking rate is driven by limited access to quality mental health treatment or cultural stigmas. Today on AANHPI Mental Health Day, we must recommit to eliminating systemic barriers and ending the stigmas that prevent the AANHPI community from seeking necessary healthcare. It’s important that we treat mental health seriously and prioritize seeking help when needed. In Congress, we will keep fighting to make mental healthcare more accessible for all in the AANHPI community.”
CAPAC Whip Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36):
“Mental health is health. On Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day, we must continue our work to destigmatize mental health and create accessible mental health resources for all. Though nearly 15 percent of AANHPIs reported having a mental illness in the past year, few national epidemiological studies have even included members of the AANHPI community. Social barriers and other factors can make access to mental health care and treatment challenging for members of the AANHPI community. Along with my CAPAC colleagues, I am determined to address these inequities and increase mental health awareness and care access for the AANHPI community.”
CAPAC Freshman Representative Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02):
“The struggles with mental health are real. Making this worse is the fact that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are far less likely to access mental health services, often due to social stigma, cultural shame, lack of health insurance, the need for translation services, and much more. We must do everything we can to break down these barriers to care, empower our AANHPI communities to seek these services, and improve access to high-quality, affordable mental health care. That is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in recognizing May 10th as National AANHPI Mental Health Day to help raise awareness of the mental health issues unique to our AANHPI community and to encourage all AANHPIs to take care of their mental health just as they would their physical health.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI):
“Cultural, economic, language, and societal barriers prevent too many members of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community in Hawaii and across the country from accessing mental health care. This inequity is particularly devastating for marginalized members of our communities—such as youth and veterans—and in Hawaii, the rate of suicide for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders is three times the national average. This May, as we recognize AANHPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, we must reaffirm our commitment to invest in mental health resources, combat the stigma surrounding mental health, and break down barriers that prevent people from receiving the care they need and deserve.”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07):
“AANHPI Mental Health Day is a time to destigmatize mental health care for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities that have historically faced greater stigma around both substance abuse and mental health issues. We cannot understate the toll the horrific rise in hate crimes we saw target Asian American communities has taken and we must ensure that care is available and accessible. Mental health care is health care, and no one should face barriers to accessing that care whenever and wherever they need it.”
Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17):
“Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders across the country have been facing increased discrimination and violent attacks due to hateful rhetoric during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our communities are also healing from the tragic shootings in Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park. Now more than ever, we need to invest in mental health resources and culturally competent care for AANHPI communities. Today, I stand with my CAPAC colleagues as we work to strength mental health services and tackle the stigma surrounding mental health treatment.”
Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03):
“Every American should have access to mental health support when they need it. On AANHPI Mental Health Day and during Mental Health Awareness Month, it is important to highlight that Asian Americans are increasingly unlikely to seek out or receive mental health treatment. This is a failure of our nation’s care systems. Everyone should have access, confidence, and trust in available resources as well. It is essential that we continue to break down inequities and increase access, affordability, and overall quality in America’s mental healthcare. Today let’s recommit to working past mental health stigmas and address the unique barriers preventing our AAPI communities from having the mental health support and access they deserve.”
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08):
“Today, on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day, we are reminded of the work left to be done to address the health disparities and cultural stigmas associated with mental health in the AANHPI community. AANHPI adults are statistically the least likely racial group to seek mental health services, due in large part to structural obstacles such as lack of awareness of available resources and language barriers. Mental health is health care, and we must recommit ourselves to working in Congress to eliminate these challenges so that all AANHPI community members receive the care that they need and deserve.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12):
“On AANHPI Mental Health Day, we must recognize the longstanding systemic barriers to mental health care that the AANHPI community has faced—from stigma and discrimination to language barriers to lack of insurance coverage. As a former psychiatric social worker, l know firsthand the power of compassionate, culturally competent mental health care. Today, may we recommit to implementing policies that address the specific needs of AANHPI communities and delivering quality care that enables all to thrive.”
Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-07):
“Over the past few years, the COVID-19 pandemic and the terrible rise of anti-AANHPI hate have exacerbated the mental and emotional health of so many Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in Sacramento and across the country. That is why I am proud to co-lead a resolution with Congresswomen Chu, Strickland, and Tokuda and Senator Hirono to recognize May 10 as National AANHPI Mental Health Day and to ensure that all AANHPI people have access to the resources and mental health infrastructure necessary for their recovery and healing.”
Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10):
“On National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Day, we recognize the unique challenges, trauma, and identity struggles that members of this community face. 15 percent of the AANHPI community face mental health issues, and among our younger AANHPI, this number continues to increase. Let’s end the stigma surrounding mental health care, invest in more mental health resources, and support and uplift each other.”
Sen. Cory Booker (NJ):
“On AANHPI Mental Health Day, we recognize the unique challenges and experiences of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders when it comes to mental health. We must do more to address the health disparities, limited access to treatment, and the cultural stigmas surrounding mental health that prevent many AANHPI people from seeking help. Mental health care is health care, and I am committed to expanding access to affordable, high quality mental health for the AANHPI communities in New Jersey and across our country.”
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (NV):
“Our Asian American communities in Nevada have faced barriers to mental health for far too long—that’s why I was proud to help deliver the 988 crisis hotline and expand behavioral health crisis support services. We must continue to work together to reduce stigma, raise awareness of these mental health resources, and support access to those seeking care, so that anyone in Nevada who needs help can get it.”
Rep. Linda Sánchez (CA-38):
“Today, I join the AANHPI community in recognizing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day. Raising awareness about mental health is more important than ever, especially as we continue to witness increased hate crimes toward AANHPI Americans. No one should suffer in silence. Together with my CAPAC colleagues, I will keep working to combat stigma, break down barriers to care, and make mental health care more accessible and affordable for all.”
