Each May, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month commemorates the history and contributions of cultures from all of the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. To recognize this important month, especially as it coincides with May Mental Health Awareness Month, join us in shedding light on the need for culturally competent care within historically marginalized communities, including the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

The following is a list of national resources created specifically to support mental health in Asian communities:

Asian American Psychological Association is committed to helping Asian Americans succeed through various resources and initiatives.
Asians Do Therapy is dedicated to reducing stigma and increasing accessibility to mental health resources for the Asian community.
Asian Mental Health Collective's mission is to raise awareness about the importance of mental health care, promote emotional well-being, and challenge the stigma concerning mental illness amongst Asian communities globally.
Asian Mental Health Project aims to educate and empower Asian communities in seeking mental health care.
South Asian Sexual & Mental Health Alliance is a new nonprofit community network engaging, educating and mobilizing South Asian communities around issues related to mental health.
South Asian Mental Health Initiative & Network is a nonprofit that addresses the mental health needs of the South Asian community in the U.S.

We hope you use these resources to learn more and find support, and share them widely with your communities. You can also watch these previous episodes of our Elevating Voices for Long-Lasting Change town hall series:

"Culture and Mental Health in South Asian Communities" –– Moderated by AFSP's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, with panelists Dr. Dimple Patel, Dr. Zheala Qayyum, and Dr. Deepak Penesetti
"Mental Health in Asian American and Pacific Islander Families" –– Moderated by AFSP's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, with panelists Dr. Howard Liu, Dr. Jenny Wang, and Dr. Becky Wong
"Supporting AAPI Communities: Mental Health Experiences, Discrimination and Reducing Stigma" –– Moderated by Washington Post journalist Marian Chia-Ming Liu, MBA, with panelists Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, Dr. Rona Hu, and Dr. Chris Hahm

The importance of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage does not end with May. So please join us, this May and beyond, in raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention in the AAPI community.