IN THIS GUIDE
- We’ve assembled a list of 2 crisis hotlines for Asian Americans along with 3 non-crisis treatment directories for finding culturally competent mental healthcare.
- Find 4 organizations that are devoted to Asian American mental healthcare as well as 6 online platforms and communities for Asian Americans, by Asian Americans.
- We’ve also found 8 podcasts that are specific to Asian American issues as well as 6 videos that can further support positive mental health practices.
- Finally, we have 5 articles that speak to some of the issues faced by Asian Americans today along with 8 social media accounts that are moving the conversation forward regarding anti-Asian racism in America and how to protect and improve mental health.
Although Asian Americans experience the lowest rates of substance abuse, that does not mean they are unaffected by it. In fact, according to SAMHSA, 3.7% of Asian Americans 18 and older reported struggling with substance abuse in the last year. Only 0.1% of Asian Americans reported receiving treatment for substance abuse. Studies suggest that Asian Americans are more likely to hide the abuse and suffer in silence until the consequences of their addiction no longer allow them to do so.
This disparity can be attributed in part to language and cultural barriers. Mental health is often considered a taboo topic in many Asian cultures. Because of this, Asian Americans are more likely to turn to loved ones or religious leaders rather than professional services. Studies show that there is a general lack of culturally competent resources available to Asian American communities. And even when those services do exist, there is very little accessibility.
We have gathered some helpful mental health and crisis resources that are intended to provide Asian Americans culturally competent help regarding positive mental health practices. Below are 42 mental health and substance abuse resource for Asian Americans:
Crisis Lines
- Asian LifeNet 24-Hour Hotline: Call 1-877-990-8585, (Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Fujianese are offered).
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255 / More than 150 languages are offered.
Treatment Directories
- National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network: This organization provides links and connections to therapists who are QTPOC-fluent.
- South Asian Therapists: A directory of South Asian mental health workers that provides a locator tool to find a South Asian therapist near you.
- Asian Counseling and Referral Services: The ACRS works to promote the visibility, inclusion, and equality of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in America.
Organizations + Foundations
- The Asian American Drug Abuse Program: A non-profit organization dedicated to preventing substance abuse among Asian American youth, as well as promote substance abuse recovery services among Asian Americans.
- Together Empowering Asian Minds: An organization working to engage, educate and empower Asian Americans with culturally relevant resources and peer support in order to destigmatize seeking help for mental health problems.
- Womankind: This organization provides support to victims of gender-based violence and helps them to find recovery and freedom from trauma.
- Project Lotus: This group works to reduce the stigma of mental illness among Asian Americans and provide actionable solutions that can lead someone toward recovery from mental illness.
- Asian Women For Health: A non-profit organization that works to improve access to healthcare, both physical and mental, for Asian Women in America.
- National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association: The NAAPIMHA works to promote mental healthcare among all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Online Platforms + Communities
- It’s Ji-Youn Kim: The website of Ji-Youn Kim, she works to use therapeutic techniques in a social context and uses the concept of justice-focused therapy as a guiding light for seminars, coaching, and workshops.
- Asian Pride Project: A movement to remove the stigma of LGBTQ within the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
- The Cosmos: A community hub for Asian American women to improve their own personal mental health and wellness as well as that of their communities.
- Recovery Dharma: A Buddhist-inspired addiction recovery fellowship that hosts dozens of meetings online each day.
- Modern Health Circle Series – Healing Asian Communities: A set of group discussions focused on Asian mental health and wellness.
- Asian Mental Health Collective: An organization that aims to reduce the stigma of mental health within Asian communities.
Podcasts
- The Full Well Podcast: A look at the crossroads between Asian Americans and mental health with open discussions about the reality of mental healthcare among Asian communities.
- Human Up: A look at Asian American mental health from a man raised in America by an Asian family.
- Happy Asian Male Podcast: The HAM podcast covers a very wide range of issues, including mental health and wellness for Asian Americans.
- Feeling Asian: Hosts Youngmi and Brian talk about romance, dating, and life as Asian Americans in this diverse and colorful podcast.
- Why You No Doctor: A look at the stereotypes that Asian Americans adhere to with regard to career choice. Host Dominic Zhai provides insight and some creative avenues for unconventional career options.
- Pearls of Wisdom from Cold Tea Collective: This podcast shares the stories, struggles, and victories of Asian American entrepreneurs.
- Yellow Glitter: A podcast about the challenges faced by gay Asian American men in society today.
- Stories of Stigma – South Asian Mental Health: A hub for South Asians, by South Asians to help improve mental health and wellness.
Videos
- BTWF Talks/ Mental Health in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Communities
- TransformAsian 2021 Virtual Conference
- Asian Mental Health Collective: Healing Hearts
- Opening The Door To Discussing Suicide: One Survivor Tells Her Story | NBC News
- Mental Illness in Stressful Times – An Asian-American Family’s Story
- I Am Not Your Asian Stereotype | Canwen Xu | TEDxBoise
Articles
- An Asian American’s Language of Mental Health – Empowerment and Understanding Through Conversation: A look at the language and communication barriers for some Asian Americans and learning about their own mental healthcare.
- The Asian American Racial Justice Toolkit
- Self-Care Tips For Asian Americans Dealing With Racism Amid Coronavirus: Helpful tips from therapists and clinicians for Asian Americans who may be struggling to cope with rampant racism in the wake of COVID-19.
- New Generation of Asian-American Women are Fighting to Normalize Mental Health Treatment: A look at Asian American women who are overcoming the cultural stigma of mental health issues and spreading the word about getting help when you need it.
Social Media Follows
- Hieu Pham, LCSW: A licensed therapist, her Instagram posts highlight the importance of mental healthcare.
- Asians for Mental Health: An account run by Clinical Psychologist & speaker Jenny Wang, Ph.D., highlighting health & wellness, Asian American identity, mental health, social justice, and therapy options.
- The Allied Minds Co.: A community dedicated to improving awareness about mental health and social justice.
- The Mind Health Spot: Run by Clinical Psychology graduate Laura Lu, this Instagram page discusses mental wellness, education, and advocacy with an emphasis on Asian Americans.
- Exploring Therapy: Run by online therapist Dr. Therese, this Instagram contains posts about mental health, travel, and remote work wellness.
- Mental Health CEO: Mental health coach Ron Yap shares his tips and expertise.
- Alyssa Marie Wellness: A psychotherapist advocating for social justice and mental health.
- Mind and Me: A community-run by Harvard graduate student Vaishali for the purposes of mental health awareness and psychoeducation.