Asian Mental Health Advocacy Organizations You Should Know About
Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI)
“Welcome to AAHI’s Mental Health and Wellness Resource Center! Since FY15, AAHI has been implementing a mental health project aimed at addressing the unique mental health needs of Asian American communities. Using a multifaceted approach, AAHI strives to increase awareness, promote open conversations, and reduce stigma around mental health while also improving access to culturally responsive care.”
https://aahiinfo.org/mentalhealth/
Asian Mental Health Collective (AMHC)
“Asian Mental Health Collective fosters healing, resilience and connection in Asian communities in the US through culturally-informed clinical services, virtual peer support spaces, and support for Asian mental health providers.
Our approaches to healing and connection for Asian communities in the US:
We fund free, culturally informed therapy for Asians who need it. We believe cost shouldn’t prevent people from getting the care they need.
We build virtual community spaces to foster connection and peer support around mental health.
We cultivate connections between Asian mental health clinicians. Our goal is to fight isolation and build solidarity for therapists.
We educate and build our community’s understanding of mental health issues. We do this through stories, digital content, and community dialogue.”
FAUNA Mental Health Foundation
“We are a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide culturally relevant and inclusive open-access mental health resources for the Asian & Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community.
Our main initiative is specifically tailored and responsive towards the Asian community. Much of Western therapy inadvertently has caused minority cultures to conform their needs to what society provides. At FAUNA, our mission is to meet the Asian community where they are at in order to provide effective mental health interventions, tools and resources.”
https://www.fauna-npo.org/mh-resources
National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA)
“The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and redefine the mental health and well being of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander individuals and communities in the United States through training, programs, policy & advocacy, centering those with lived experience.”
National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA)
“The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), founded in 1996, is a coalition of 44 national Asian Pacific American organizations around the country. Based in Washington D.C., NCAPA serves to represent the interests of the greater Asian American (AA) and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities and to provide a national voice for AA and NHPI issues.
MISSION: We are a coalition of national Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander organizations striving for equity and justice by organizing our diverse strengths to influence policy and shape public narratives.”
https://www.ncapaonline.org/resources/
National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA)
“The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), a national leader in the LGBTQ+ AANHPI* community, serves as a convener of community leaders and groups; prepares leaders to challenge systemic injustices; and advocates for LGBTQ+ AANHPI liberation across the United States and its territories.
* LGBTQ+ AANHPI : Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans Queer + Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander”
https://www.nqapia.org/resources
South Asian Therapists
“We are the largest South Asian mental health therapist and counselling community in the world. Our directory has hundreds of South Asian therapists, including Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Afghani and Nepali heritage. Here you can find culturally competent South Asian mental health professionals to help you get the support you’re looking for. If you’re looking to find South Asian Therapists near you we’re here to help.”
About the Author
Adora (she/her) is a licensed clinical mental health counselor associate and owner of Spring Day Therapy PLLC. In the past she has worked in various mental health settings with different age groups, populations, and levels of care. In the therapy room, Adora operates from a DBT-informed and culturally-responsive lens to support clients in working through challenges and create real-life changes. Her work is further enhanced by her passion and training in supporting Autistic individuals and providing culturally responsive care for Asian populations.
Outside the therapy room, Adora has experience working in mental health research, and is also the founder and president of FAUNA Mental Health Foundation, an Asian mental health advocacy nonprofit. She currently leads an international team of volunteers and interns to provide accessible mental health resources through their website and workshops with community partners.
Interested in receiving therapy with Spring Day Therapy? Fill out an interest form below to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with Adora!
