Summary

The Los Angeles Times spoke with members of L.A.’s Thai community about mental health challenges, highlighting stigma, language barriers, and gaps in culturally competent care. Participants described stress from overwork, financial strain, isolation, and serious mental illness like depression and psychosis. A Thai chef shared how her grief after losing her mother went unrecognized by others who saw only her business success. Massage therapists, often subject to harassment and stereotyping, are organizing self-defense classes to build agency and protect themselves. Community leaders propose solutions such as hiring more Thai-speaking mental health professionals, using less stigmatizing language in Thai, and offering services in trusted spaces like temples, combining Buddhist mindfulness with modern mental health treatment.

Read article by Phi Do, Los Angeles Times.

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Panel at AAUC Unity Summit discusses mental health in the AANPI community.

Summary

The San Diego Foundation has awarded $500,000 in grants to nine nonprofits focused on improving mental health services for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) youth in San Diego County. Each nonprofit received between $50,000 and $65,000 to fund culturally responsive programs, including mental health screening, treatment, leadership development, and intergenerational engagement. The initiative aims to reduce healthcare disparities among AANHPI populations, especially as suicide is the leading cause of death for young AANHPI individuals in California.

Read the full article on The Coast News Group website.