May 10th is National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Mental Health Day

Our mental health is impacted by all aspects of our lives, yet it is a topic that Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) seldom talk about. AANHPI Mental Health Day plays a critical role in raising awareness about mental health within the AANHPI community, leveraging resources for our community organizations, developing partnerships, and advocating for policies that increase access to culturally relevant services.

National Resolution Declaring May 10th
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day

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.

This year, the national resolution will be introduced again on May 10th, marking the 4th anniversary of AANHPI Mental Health Day. Amidst a rise in anti-Asian racism and violence, it is crucial to celebrate and center the mental health and wellbeing of AANHPI communities nationwide.

Here are ways to celebrate

AANHPI Mental Health Day!

1

Take the pledge to celebrate AANHPI Mental Health Day!

2

Write your representative to support a national resolution for AANHPI Mental Health Day

3

Get involved to get your city and/or state to sign a proclamation

4

Sign-up as a community partner organization

5

View our AANHPI Mental Health Day Info Session Recording (Feb 16 @3PM ET)

Review Info Session Resource List

State and City Proclamations Declaring May 10th
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day

State Effort

Our efforts don't stop with the national resolution! Let's color the map below by getting state and city's to sign proclamations recognizing May 10th as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day

Purple: Approved State Proclamation (7) | Pink: Approved City Proclamation (7)

Orange: Submitted State Proclamation Requests (26) | Submitted City Proclamation Requests(4)

2023 State, City, & County Proclamations

Thank you to the following states, cities, and counties for proclaiming May 10, 2023 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Mental Health Day:

State Proclamations: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Washington

City Proclamations: Dallas, Fontana, Santa Clara, Washington DC

AZ Proclamation AANHPI Mental Health Day.png

Screenshot_20230509_102044_Samsung Notes (1).jpg

Screenshot_20230508_223024_Samsung Notes.jpg

Screenshot_20230508_173034_Samsung Notes (1).jpg

AANHPI Mental Health Resources

Below you will find a few mental health resources and events available for the AANHPI community. If you have an event or resource you would like us to feature, please contact support@naapimha.org.

AANHPI Mental Health Resources for Allen, TX Victims & Community

Redefining Mental Health Summit Infographic

SALDEF Mental Health Response to Violence Guidebook

Last month, the Sikh American Legal Defense Action Fund (SALDEF), with support from The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), produced culturally competent mental health resources in English and Punjabi.

The newly launched website features podcasts, factsheets, and guidebooks to help the Sikh American community understand how to report hate crimes and how to respond to mental health needs when Anti-Asian hate occurs.

5/9-5/11: NTTAC System of Care Summit

From May 9-11, the National Center for Training for Training and Technical Assistance on Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health (NTTAC) is pleased to announce a no-cost, virtual System of Care Summit (SOC Summit). The SOC Summit is an opportunity for all children’s mental health partners to reunite, renew, and re-energize their efforts to support children and young people with behavioral health needs, as well as their families. 

NAAPIMHA Deputy Director Krystle Canare will be providing welcome remarks on May 10th in honor of AANHPI Mental Health Day. The virtual doors are open to anyone who is invested in the mental health and wellness of children, youth, and families.

5/11: National Council on Aging's Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium

On May 11, join NAAPIMHA at National Council on Aging's sixth annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium, co-sponsored with the U.S. Administration for Community Living, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

NAAPIMHA Training Director Pata Suyemoto will be presenting at a breakout session on Suicide Prevention Updates on 988.

5/16-5/17: AAKOMA Project Revelations: Uncovering Truths About The Mental Health of Youth of Color.

On May 16 & 17, NAAPIMHA joins the AAKOMA Project for "Revelations: Uncovering Truths About The Mental Health of Youth of Color.", an exceptional event held to mark the release of their latest report: The State of Mental Health for Youth of Color.

Gain valuable insights, solutions and resources to help the Youth Of Color in your lives navigate intense moods, feelings and situations effectively and confidently.

5/18: MTV Mental Health Action Day

NAAPIMHA is partnering with MTV and the Mental Health Action Partner Network to shift the culture of mental health from awareness to action.

For the third annual Mental Health Action Day on May 18, 2023, we are asking you: What if everyone dedicated one hour to take action for their mental health?

Now is the time to invest in mental health actions.

Join us on Mental Health Action Day as we uplift community resources and take time to take care of our mental health.

Act to Change 5th Annual AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate

5/18: Act to Change AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate

On May 18, NAAPIMHA is proud to join Act to Change as a community partner for its 5th Annual AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate to raise awareness around bullying and stand up against all forms of hate

.

May 18, 2023 would have been Vincent Chin’s 68th birthday. Chin’s life was cut short four decades ago in a hate crime where two men brutally attacked him just because he looked Asian.

The continued hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, and the recent shootings in Allen TX, Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay have deeply shaken up our community, while also reminding us of our resilience and our power to heal in unity.

5/20: Asian Mental Health Project Honor Your Feelings Festival

And finally, on May 20, NAAPIMHA is excited to be a part of the Asian Mental Health Project's first-ever Honor Your Feelings Fest taking place at the California Marketplace in Los Angeles, California.

Honor Your Feelings Fest is a one-day wellness festival aiming to deepen the conversation around mental health in the pan-Asian community. The festival will feature panel discussions, movement workshops, live music, a community marketplace, wellness workshops, and more.

Gain wisdom from renowned panelists, breathe into your body in a morning yoga session, and remember the joy of community at the closing concert. Come, honor your feelings with us.