Health & Fitness

15 Best Mental Health Resources for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

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Since the beginning of the pandemic, the uptick in xenophobic rhetoric against Asian Americans in the United States has been alarming and consequential. It has fueled an astonishing rise in anti-Asian violence, and discrimination has taken a great toll on countless people within the AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) community.

According to a recent national data from Stop AAPI Hate, a non-profit that tracks and responds cases of racial harm against AAPI, there have been over 6,600 reported incidences since March 2020. These incidences include (but are not exclusive to): verbal and online harassment, shunning, physical assault, bullying and civil rights violations.

Unfortunately, these numbers only illustrate a fraction of the physical, mental and emotional impact these incidences have had among the AAPI population, according to Michi Fu, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and professor at Alliant International University. These incidences tend to be under reported, she says, meaning the rates of these cases are probably higher. And what’s more, the numbers don’t reflect the extent to which vicarious trauma has affected the community.

“Watching someone who looks like you being attacked can be very distressing, and we know that it can have [negative] effects on the psyche,” says Dr. Fu. “You can just watch the news and say, ‘That could have been me.’ People are going out into the world wondering whether it’s safe and how to protect themselves or their loved ones.”

Moving through any sort of racial trauma, racial stereotyping and discrimination is difficult; seeking culturally informed mental health support can be helpful, adds Dr. Fu.

But financial and linguistic barriers, as well as the stigma around mental health can prevent many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from receiving the support they need, according to Kaila Tang, L.M.S.W., the chief of programming at Asian Mental Health Collective.

For example, “there’s often this cultural value of honor,” says Tang. “We’re often trying to appear at our best, and the idea that someone could be mentally ill — to a lot of people — goes against that notion of saving face, or being honorable, which makes it very difficult for people to talk about.”

On top of all of that, finding a clinician who understands the unique lived experiences of a person’s specific identity — whether East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian or Pacific Islander — can be challenging.

“We are not a monolithic group,” says Ulash Thakore-Dunlap, L.M.F.T. “And unfortunately, resources for Brown Asians tend to get left to the side. So how can we really speak to the diversity of the AAPI community?'”

It’s questions like these that inspire Thakore-Dunlap and many other mental health professionals to work together to expand resources for people across the diaspora. Below you’ll find organizations and online communities that are on a mission to foster important conversations around mental health as well as increase the access to quality services and care.

1

Asian Mental Health Collective

AMHC started as a Facebook group called “subtle Asian mental health” which was an open forum where people could share their thoughts, feelings and experiences. Now it’s an expansive resource hub with an Asian-American (and Asian-Canadian) directory, blog, events and more. They even host another Facebook group dedicated solely for Asian mental health care professionals looking for support. With all that they do, AMHC’s mission is to destigmatize mental health within the Asian community so more people can have access to the services they need.

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2

Bridges

Bridges, an NYC-based org, is a place where Asian, Pacific Islander and South Asian Americans (AAPISA) can find clinicians and other community members who have a shared cultural identity. They have a therapist directory, links to fellow organizations, as well as a few support groups for therapists and Vietnamese-speaking individuals ages 50+.

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3

Asians Do Therapy

Yin J. Li, M.A., L.M.F.T., started Asians Do Therapy because they found many people in the Asian community were “struggling and suffering, often times in isolation.” This site answers a lot of questions about what to do whether you are new to the concept of therapy, or ready to begin therapy. There are also various stories of Asian Americans sharing how therapy has impacted their lives.

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4

Asian Pride Project

We all know that storytelling can be incredibly healing and community building during trying times. The Asian Pride Project aims to use that medium for social justice and advocacy for Asian LGBTQ folx. On their website you’ll find videos, portraits, essays and more celebrating the journeys, triumphs and struggles of LGBTQ individuals and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) families.

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5

South Asian Therapists

South Asian Therapists is one of the largest South Asian mental health communities in the world. Founded by Raj Kaur, this org offers a therapist directory, a digital self-care package, as well as workbooks exploring therapeutic themes from a South Asian perspective.

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6

Asian American Journalists Association Therapy Relief Fund

Reporting on hate crimes and discrimination in your own community is meaningful, powerful work that can raise awareness on important issues. It also can take a huge emotional toll on you, the reporter. That’s why the Asian American Journalists Association organized a therapy relief fund. All are welcome to donate to the GoFundMe while AAPI journalists can apply here to receive financial assistance (up to $1500) to support their mental wellness services.

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7

Silakbo

Silabo is a Philippine-based advocacy group made up of students and young professionals who aim to share stories that raise mental health awareness. These stories take many art forms: poetry, paintings, music and any medium the storyteller feels is best to express their narrative. This org may not be in the United States, but the online format really allows communities to connect across borders.

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8

Inclusive Therapists

Inclusive Therapists is not exclusively dedicated to serving the AAPI community, however, it’s an organization geared towards assisting those of all marginalized identities through a social justice lens. “We honor the full neurodiversity spectrum and advocate for mental health care accessibility for people with disabilities/ disabled people,” it says on their website. Head over to their page to get matched with a therapist, or scroll through their directory. You can even browse their library of resources which includes professional trainings, blogs, job offerings and a wonderful book list.

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9

Project Lotus

Project Lotus is a youth-led non-profit seeking to foster stigma-busting conversations around mental health. Their team has cultivated stories from the AAPI community (both in written and podcast form) that explore ways in which to dismantle the “model minority” myth, navigate sibling competition, handle the pressure of beauty standards, engage in activism and so much more. Project Lotus also has a long list of resources for kids and their parents to help families understand how to seek support and how to better support one another.

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10

NQAPIA

NQAPIA is a federation that’s dedicated “to build the organizational capacity of local LGBT AAPI groups, develop leadership, promote visibility, educate our community, enhance grassroots organizing, expand collaborations and challenge anti-LGBTQ bias and racism.” They also have an AAPI healer network and resource list for anyone who is looking for therapy, energy work, readings or herbal consultations from those of Asian and Pacific Islander descent.

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11

South Asian Mental Health Initiative & Network

SAMIN is another large network and resource hub for South Asians. They provide a practitioner directory as well as tons of info exploring various topics such as: alcoholism, depression, domestic violence, HIV and more.

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12

Ayana Therapy

Ayana Therapy serves a broad base of people who come from marginalized cultural, racial and ethnic identities. They help people across the United States match with therapists that fit their needs — and they even provide demos for businesses looking to be more educated on mental health issues.

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13

MannMukti

MannMukti (which means “mental liberation” in Hindi) is “a storytelling platform that enables the South Asian diaspora to normalize and discuss mental health issues.” On their platform you can read stories that have been submitted by various members of the community; you can click through articles and research to understand various conditions like anxiety and mood disorders; you also listen in to their podcast and so much more. MannMukti also has a provider database to help people find therapists in their area, and they even offer a youth fellowship for high school students who wish to get involved with mental health advocacy.

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14

The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association

NAAPIMHA is an organization that is focused on expanding access to high quality affordable mental health care for Asian American and Pacific Islanders, as well as empowering those who are seeking the best care for themselves. They have service providers in all 50 states and they also collaborate with many community-based organizations. In addition, NAAPIMHA provides various trainings for professionals and non-professionals alike to help people hold space for themselves and others going through mental health challenges.

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15

Asian American Psychological Association

The AAPA is more suited for those who are professionals in the field or for those who are pursuing a career in therapy, psychology, psychiatry or a similar mental health profession, but there are many resources on this site that other people can take advantage of as well. They have a bunch of resources and fact sheets on various topics including: addressing bullying, supporting LGBTQ AAPI and navigating COVID-19.

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Scoop Sky is a blog with all the enjoyable information on many subjects, including fitness and health, technology, fashion, entertainment, dating and relationships, beauty and make-up, sports and many more.

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