May is AAPI and Mental Health Month
Asian American/Pacific Islander AND Mental Health Awareness Month
May is recognized as a national celebration and acknowledgement of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders’ histories and lived experiences as part of the Asian diaspora in the United States.
There are numerous ways to connect with the Asian/Pacific Islander communities this month (and on-going) through art, stories, music, and other cultural activities and events.
At the national level, check out the Asian/Pacific Heritage website.
If you are in Minnesota, check out some local events/resources:
AAPI Festival on May 18, 2024 from 12-4 at Rosland Park in Edina
Saint Paul Public Library will host an event on May 23, 2024 at Arlington Hills Community Center. SPPL has also created lists of AAPI books for children to adults!
Visit St. Paul also offers a listing of AAPI events and activities throughout the month of May.
We celebrate this month and honor the histories and lived experiences of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians. We also recognize that individuals in the AAPI community are less likely to seek and receive accessible mental health care, and we actively strive to remove barriers to mental health and engage in the community to understand the unique needs of APPI individuals, couples, and families.
If you are outside of Minnesota and looking to connect with an Asian-identifying therapist, please check out Asian Mental Health Collective. AMHC has a listing of free support groups led by Asian-identifying mental health providers.
We believe that mental health care should be accessible to all. Learning new, person-centered ways to talk about mental health is a continual process!
Here are some resources to check out this month:
NAMI California offers a list of ways to change the way we talk about mental health.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shares tips and resources for self-care and supporting mental health needs.
National Council for Mental Wellbeing also shares resources for mental health support and ways to advocate for mental health care.
All of us have mental health needs and seeking the help and care of a trained mental health provider is the ultimate form of self-care and self-love! We are here to support all of our clients as they navigate life.
Ready to start collaborating? Reach out today to set up a complimentary phone consultation with one of our providers! We are so grateful to start this journey together.
About the Author
Megan Nyberg, MA, LPCC has worked in the mental health field since 2021 in outpatient clinics serving adolescents and adults. Previously, she co-led an anxiety, depression, and trauma intensive outpatient program (IOP) for adolescents.