In 2010, RAMS spearheaded the first state, county, and city proclamation efforts to establish May 10 as the Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day in the State of California and the City and County of San Francisco. 

 

In 2021, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) introduced the first congressional resolution to recognize May 10th as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day. This resolution calls upon Members of Congress to promote national awareness of mental health issues unique to the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community and urges State and local health agencies across the nation to improve the quality and availability of mental health services for this population.

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This year marks the 6th anniversary of National AANHPI Mental Health Day.

 

In this time, we are reminded that fundamental barriers exist to accessing mental health and wellbeing supports. From attacks on our immigrant communities, to rising costs making basic necessities like health care, housing, and food unaffordable, to widespread racial discrimination as a source of minority stress and underlying social determinant of health, we are reminded now more than ever that we cannot be well until we fully reckon with systemic issues of economic insecurity and the lack of culturally responsive care available. This AANHPI Mental Health Day, we aim to promote dialogue, mobilize resource distribution, and uplift diverse, decolonized forms of healing. 

 

We acknowledge National AANHPI Mental Health Day will look different for everyone. For our community partners across the country, centering AANHPI mental health is taking the form of free mental health service offerings, mental health days, advocacy efforts, educational events, cultural celebrations, and more.