Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day 2013

 May 10

First established in 2010 by the State of California and the City & County of San Francisco, Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day recognizes the importance of raising awareness about mental health and promoting mental wellness in the Asian Pacific American community. 

 

Approximately 25% of Americans in a given year are impacted by mental health conditions regardless of gender, age, race, religion and socioeconomic status, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Asian & Pacific Islanders (A&PIs) specifically make up one of the fastest growing ethnic communities in the United States, yet they have the lowest rates of utilization of mental health services among ethnic populations, which may be due to the substantial stigma that exists (since many individuals and families remain in denial or silence about their situation) as well as cultural & linguistic isolation of the community, family, and individual. These disparities indicate the critical need to raise awareness & talk about mental health, de-stigmatize seeking help, and increase access to & support culturally competent/relevant services for the Asian American & Pacific Islander community.

For more information on Asian American and Pacific Islander mental health facts, check out the NAMI Multicultural Action Center HERE.
 

Resolution presented by Senator Leland Yee to the CA State Assembly in April 2010,
establishing Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day on May 10 statewide

"This measure would recognize May 10, 2010,

and each May 10 thereafter, as
Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day,

and acknowledge the importance of
raising awareness about mental health
in the Asian Pacific American community."


The establishment of Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day was an effort spearheaded by RAMS along with California State Senator Leland Y. Yee, Ph.D. and San Francisco Board of Supervisor (District 1) Eric Mar.  It was overwhelmingly supported by many major associations and community coalitions. Since May is already established nationally as the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and as Mental Health Awareness Month, institution of this day in the month of May more closely aligns both awareness efforts. 

 

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee at a RAMS event in 2011
honoring Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day

 

San Francisco District 1 Supervisor Eric Mar at a RAMS event in 2011
honoring Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day

 

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS IN MAY 2013

 

RAMS is excited to announce some of the following events recognizing Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day!

 

May 10, 10:00am-12:00pm at Chinatown Public Health Center, 1490 Mason Street, San Francisco: A panel presentation & gathering of public officials, healthcare professionals, Bay Area local & national leaders, community advocates, stakeholder institutions/ organizations, and educators & researcherson to discuss issues of detecting and addressing mental health concerns in primary care & non-mental health care settings. Details HERE.

May 10, 8:30am - 4:30pm at St. Mary's Event Center, 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco: A training on cultural and clinical consideration in working with Filipino-Americans with mental health issues, presented by Dr. Jei Africa.  View the flyer by clicking on the image at right to enlarge (right-click and select any options to "Open").

 

The CAAEN Leadership Group is launching their "it's ok" campaign to bring attention to and promote awareness of mental health issues in the Asian community. Details HERE.

The city of Austin, Texas, has followed San Francisco's lead and proclaimed May 10, 2013 as Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day in Austin.  Special events have been scheduled, including this training presented by the Asian Behavioral Health Network of Austin.

Also on May 10, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and The White House Office of Public Engagement are hosting an AAPI Briefing on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health.

 

Sharing Stories About The Asian Pacific American Experience & Mental Health

 

Ramey Ko shared a personal & inspiring story related Asian American Mental Health, in honor of Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day and the Friends Do Make A Difference campaign to raise awareness & destigmatize mental health in high school students in 2012. Mr. Ko is currently a Commission Member of the White House AAPI Initiative, and is an Associate Judge of the City of Austin Municipal Court.

  



 

Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day Over The Years

 

A sampling of some of the events held in previous years:

 

In 2012, RAMS collaborated with National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA), and its partner interTrend Communications, in their national Friends DO Make a Difference campaign.This creative and collaborative outreach effort provided and distributed messages via TV, online social media, and promotional events at high schools that focus on the importance and power of being a friend for someone facing mental health challenges.

 

On May 9, 2012, local public radio station KALW 91.7 FM aired a three-part series on Asian American mental health issues during the Crosscurrents news show.  RAMS is honored to have been asked to contribute and assist in the making of this noteworthy program. The entire series was heard on air at KALW 91.7FM, but is also available online at www.kalw.org.

On May 10, 2012, Hyphen Magazine wrote an article in honor of Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day: AAMM (the column's author) revisits their roots and considers the impact of a mantra like "It Gets Better" in the article titled "Deciding Not To Bail".
 

On May 10, 2011, an all-day training event "Asian Pacific American Mental Health: Knowing Our Roots and Growing Beyond" was held in San Francisco, featuring  an esteemed panel of presenters that are recognized leaders, trailblazers, and legends in the field of mental health and working with Asian Pacific Americans.

 

On May 9, 2011, the College of San Mateo presented an Asian Pacific American Mental Health Awareness Panel, featuring a panel presentation from RAMS staff about the importance of mental health and culturally-competent services in the A/PI community, working in the mental health profession, as well as challenges and issues specific to the A/PI communities.

 

RAMS is looking forward to many more years of raising awareness about Asian Pacific American Mental Health!



Honoring Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day

Please join us in honoring

Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day

May 10

(May is also the National Mental Health Awareness Month

and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month)

In honor of Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day on May 10^th, Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc. is proudly joining many others in the community at a press conference to discuss the issues of detecting and addressing mental health concerns in primary care & non-mental health care settings. 

 

WHEN: Friday, May 10th from 10:00am to 12:00pm

WHERE/HOST: 
Chinatown Public Health Center
San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH)
1490 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
               
WHAT: Join public officials, healthcare professionals, Bay Area local & national leaders, community advocates, stakeholder institutions/ organizations, and educators & researchers who will gather to recognize Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day

Oftentimes, those with mental health concerns first present to primary care & non-mental health care providers; however, many health professionals in primary care and other healthcare professions may have challenges in recognizing, diagnosing, and treating these conditions effectively due a variety of factors. There is an additional challenge for the Asian American community, as literature indicates that these individuals tend to seek help from their primary care practitioner rather than mental health professionals. If mental health problems are not treated, they can worsen or prevent recovery from the medical conditions. At this press conference/community event, experts in health care will engage in a discussion about the challenging factors we face in this regard, what needs to be & can be done, and how they have effectively & innovatively integrated services so that there is comprehensive assessment and coordination between mental health and non-mental health care professionals.

SPEAKERS:
Peter Ng, MD, Pediatrician, Chinatown Public Health Center, SFDPH
Tung Thanh Nguyen, MD, Commissioner, President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders; Clinical Professor, UCSF School of Medicine
Irene Sung, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Community Programs, SFDPH; Medical Director, Community Behavioral Health Services, SFDPH
Ho Luong Tran, MD, MPH, President & CEO, National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians
Albert Yu, MD, MPH, MBA, Director, Chinatown Public Health Center, SFDPH; Clinical Professor, UCSF, Department of Family and Community Medicine
    

Moderated by: Helena Chan, MD, Medical Director, RAMS, Inc.

This event is sponsored by RAMS.

UPDATE: The panel speakers at the press event:





L-to-R: Drs. Helena Chan, Peter Ng, Tung Thanh Nguyen, Irene Sung, Ho Luong Tran, and Albert Yu

 

About Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day

 
 Approximately 25% of Americans in a given year are impacted by mental health conditions regardless of gender, age, race, religion and socioeconomic status, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).  Asian & Pacific Islanders (A&PIs) specifically make up one of the fastest growing ethnic communities in the United States, yet they have the lowest rates of utilization of mental health services among ethnic populations, which may be due to the substantial stigma that exists (since many individuals and families remain in denial or silence about their situation) as well as cultural & linguistic isolation of the community, family, and individual.  These disparities indicate the critical need to raise awareness & talk about mental health, de-stigmatize seeking help, and increase access to & support culturally competent/relevant services for the Asian American & Pacific Islander community.

The establishment of Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day was an effort spearheaded by RAMS along with California State Senator Leland Y. Yee, Ph.D. and San Francisco Board of Supervisor (District 1) Eric Mar. 

First established in 2010 by the State of California and the City & County of San Francisco, it recognizes the importance of raising awareness about mental health and promoting mental wellness in the Asian Pacific American community.  It is overwhelmingly supported by many major associations and community coalitions.  Since May is already established nationally as the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and as Mental Health Awareness Month, institution of this day in the month of May more closely aligns both awareness efforts. 

 
We are pleased to share that the City of Austin in Texas, has proclaimed May 10^th as Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day this year.  Also, The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and The White House Office of Public Engagement are hosting an AAPI Briefing on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health on May 10^th.  San Francisco Department of Public Health is holding an all-day training on May 10^th focused on working with Filipino-Americans. There are many other outreach activities being held on this day.

Ninth Annual Richmond Community Health Festival on Saturday, May 4th

RAMS is proud to be a co-sponsor along with Senator Leland Yee, Supervisor Eric Mar, Kaiser Permanente, Self-Help For The Elderly, and Compassionate Community Care for the 9th Annual Richmond Community Health Festival.

View the flyer by clicking on the image below to enlarge (right-click and select any options to "Open").

The Health Festival will feature FREE clinical health services including bone density testing, blood pressure testing, Hep B screening, and other medical tests& services, as well as FREE bicycle repair by Sprocket Mobile Bike Repair. The fair will also feature FREE giveaways, food, health education offered by more than 40 community health organizations, children’s activities and family fun.

When: Saturday, May 4, 2012, 10am-2pm

Where: Richmond Recreation Center, 251 18th Avenue, San Francisco (between California and Clement)

UPDATE: Here's a picture from the event!  Thank you to Flora, Grace, Kristina, and Paul for volunteering!

Free Cantonese-language support groups for those affected by problem gambling

The Chinese Community Problem Gambling Project, a program at the Asian Family Institute of RAMS, is hosting a series of free Cantonese-language support groups for affected individuals (family members, friends, etc.) of problem gamblers.

Six weekly sessions shall be held, starting on May 4. The groups will be held on Saturdays at 10:00-11:30am in the Outer Richmond District of San Francisco.

See the flyer images below for more details (right-click on the image and select any of the "Open Link" options to view). The flyer is available in both English and Chinese language.

May 2013 HelpDesk Training program now accepting applications!

We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to learn skills that many employers are looking for.

The RAMS Hire-Ability program is currently accepting applications for the May 2013 HelpDesk training program.  The program provides intensive, supportive, high-quality, and time-limited training in the fields of information technology, technical support, and customer service. Funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the primary goal of the HelpDesk program is to offer consumers of community behavioral health services or their family members with on-the-job training and paid, part-time work experience while providing front end user support primarily over the phone, under the direct supervision of the instructor.

Hire-Ability is seeking applicants with basic to intermediate computer skills, who are able and willing to commit to a nine-month long training program of 10-15 hours a week with a regular schedule. The application and program information are available on the Hire-Ability website (www.hire-ability.org).  This will be the fourth cohort of this program, with several graduates have succesfully secured positions in the field!

Applications and program information are available online on the Hire-Ability website at www.hire-ability.org (click HERE to go directly to the RAMS i-Ability Information Technology Help Desk Training Program page). Applications are due on Friday, March 29, 2013 at 5:00pm. Please feel free to contact i-Ability Program Manager, Terry Golden at tgolden@hire-ability.org for more information.

See the brochure images below for more details (right-click on the image and select any of the "Open Link" options to view)

RAMS Co-Presenting at 2013 CAAMFest

RAMS will be co-presenting two feature films at the upcoming 2013 CAAMFest, formerly known as the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, held by the Center for Asian American Media.

One film, Invoking Justice, explores the way women in Tamil Nadu, South India are challenging tradition to demand equality and justice in their communities.  Fed up with an increasingly corrupt system that allows men to interpret the Qu’ran for personal gain, the first-ever Women’s Jamaat is formed to address issues of women’s rights. Despite initial harassment, the organization flourishes as women from the community and the Jamaat gain the courage to speak frankly about the daily violence they endure. Invoking Justice follows three cases (two murders and a divorce) as the core members of the Jamaat raise their voices with humor, tenacity and heart to demand retribution. This intimate portrayal offers the women of Tamil Nadu an additional opportunity to “talk back”—to the male-Jamaats, to their aggressors and to anyone who has ever doubted the power and autonomy of a Muslim woman.

 

The other film, Dead Dad, is a more intimate story focusing on family dynamics, on children dealing with their parents' imperfections.  When their dad dies unexpectedly, estranged siblings Russell, Jane and their adopted brother, Alex, come home to tend to his remains. Though a stubborn and proud bunch, they are able to agree on one thing: nobody wants to keep the ashes. With little guidance and mounds of resentment among them, the three must work together to achieve a proper goodbye. The man who split them apart brings them closer together as the siblings learn what it means to be a family without their dad. From Director/Writer Ken Adachi, his goal was to to tell a story about our generation and the inherent estrangement that often exists among family members. What if our parents suddenly passed, leaving us to deal with siblings we primarily communicate with via texts, emails and social networking? His hope was to touch upon those small and seemingly insignificant moments that make us love and hate our family members, those moments that make us wonder 'how the hell did I come from this family?'

We hope you join us at the CAAMFest for these highly anticipated films!

New Beginnings, Whichever Way You See It…

The Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Program is proud to announce yet another wonderful cohort has graduated from the program. Over a dozen students from the Fall 2012 cohort celebrated their great accomplishments and received their certificates of completion at their graduation ceremony in December of 2012. These students put in a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment throughout the duration of this 12-weeks long intensive training program, where they learned techniques and skills on becoming peer counselors in the field of community behavioral health. We were especially honored at this graduation ceremony to have the full Executive Management Team of San Francisco Department of Public Health, Community Behavioral Health Services in addition to many community members attend the wonderful even. To date, 5 cohorts have completed the program, bringing our total number of graduates to 68! Congratulations again, class of Fall 2012!

We are also happy to announce that we are currently accepting applications for the Spring 2013 term of the program. Applications and program information are available online HERE at the RAMS website's Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Program webpage. Applications are due on Friday, February 15 at 5:00pm. Classes start Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013. Please feel free to contact Program Coordinator, Christine Tam at christinetam@ramsinc.org for more information.

 Photo Credit: h.koppdelaney via Compfight cc