AAPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month

Practical ways to learn about AAPI Heritage Month

May is AAPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness month.

The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 opened the doors to Asian (and African) immigrants coming to the U.S., changing quotas and laws which previously favored Western and Northern European immigrants.

Just 50 years prior, the U.S. Immigration Act of 1917 actually barred Asians, creating what is called the “Asiatic barred zone”, which included British India, SE Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands.

By 2019, the 1965 Immigration Act would drastically change the demographics of the U.S.; now there are 23 million Asian Americans in the U.S.

That number is projected to double to 46 million by 2060.

It is also Mental Health Awareness Month. Focusing on the AAPI population, Asians are often reluctant to seek mental health services, for a number of reasons. For South Asians, in particular, who are perceived to be a privileged minority group, a stigma exists against mental health services amidst a semblance of appearing not to be perfect and have it all together.

As we talk more about mental health and normalize mental health as part of a holistic, healthy life, however, more Asians are stepping forward for mental health services, even using terms like “coaching” which make it more acceptable, as reported by the Juggernaut. And in May 2021, I reported on Asian Americans and mental health and the role churches and faith-based institutions can play, in Sojourners. And also recently, Sahaj Kohli started Brown Girl Therapy, a mental health community for children of immigrants.

There is much, more to say about this topic; the topic is deep. Lumping all Asian Americans into one monolith isn’t representative of each group’s views on mental health or in many other ways, such as religion, socioeconomic factors, cultural differences, languages, food, etc.

Yet we celebrate AAPI Month and use this time to educate and create awareness about the Asian American community and celebrate the history and identity of all Asian Americans.

Here are some practical ways to help and support AAPI friends, now but at any time of the year:

-read books by Asian Americans; leave positive reviews

-support Asian American businesses; leave positive reviews

-pick an Asian American country and read about its history and culture, share with your family and children, try out recipes, sample foods

-read the information at @stopaapihate and support the efforts in data collection, reporting, and advocacy

This list is short and only a beginning, but each one of us can do something, even if it is a small thing.♥️ What speaks to you?
And, if you or a loved one has sought out mental health services, do you talk openly about it? I’d love to learn more. ♥

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