November 25, 2024
We are facing difficult times where our country is in the throes of division, conflict, and
hate. It is a time when targeted populations are vulnerable to restrictions of basic human
rights and dignity as well as budget cuts in services, lack of medical care, oppression,
bigotry, and physical and psychological violence.
Yet, in AANHPI communities we know we have, over generations, suffered worse. Our
communities have endured, war, difficult immigration/refugee journeys, internment,
colonization, exclusion acts, and historical and current racial violence. I say this not to
minimize what we are experience now, but to remind us that we are resilient. We have
survived in the face of significant challenges and danger.
In part we survived, because we had hope that if we worked hard, we could shape a
future for our communities and our children. We know if we work together and support
each other that we could fight for justice and freedom, despite forces that work against
us. We cannot do this alone. We need to use our collective voice and power to shape a
world where we are all able to feel acceptance, belonging, and support. We also need
to work side by side with our People of Color allies and our white allies to create
change. We cannot be siloed into specific cultural communities and divisions in the field
of mental health. It is an important time for like-minded organizations and individuals to
come together.
At NAAPIMHA our focus is on mental health and improving the mental well-being of
AANHPI individuals and communities. We understand that mental health affects all
aspects of our lives and that our environments, institutions, and systems also impact our
whole health including our mental health. We are also aware that many of us have
historical or current trauma in our lives and right now we need to ground ourselves and
not act out of our trauma and fear. When we act out of our trauma, we are not effective
as advocates and activists. Instead, we need to lead with compassion for ourselves and
others. We need to have compassionate conversations with those who have mis/disinformation. We need to extend this compassion to ourselves as we try to navigate these challenging waters.
And at this time we need to remember that we carry the strength of our familial, cultural, and activist ancestors and can draw from their strength was we go forward to do the important work we all do.
In community,
Pata Suyemoto
NAAPIMHA Executive Director
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