Amidst the recent anti-Asian rhetoric, discrimination, and violence, how organizations respond speaks volumes about their culture around supporting their employees. The disproportionate impact on employment, ongoing discrimination and violence against AAPIs, and hardship caused by the pandemic itself is predicted to lead to a mental health crisis for this community.
Mind Share Partners has compiled the following list of culturally competent resources to support this community, and resources for HR and People teams to better support employees.
I. Organizations and Resources for AAPI Professionals
[Organization] Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA) Founded in 1972 by a group of Asian American psychologists and other mental health professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area, the mission of the Asian American Psychological Association is to advance the mental health and well-being of Asian American communities through research, professional practice, education, and policy.
[Organization] National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association The mission of the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) is to promote the mental health and well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Since its founding, NAAPIMHA strives to raise awareness of the role of mental health in an individual’s health and well-being, especially in Asian American Pacific Islander communities throughout the country.
[Organization] South Asian Therapists Home of the largest global community of South Asian therapists, including therapists of 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.
[Organization] Asian Mental Health Collective It is the mission of the Asian Mental Health Collective to normalize and de-stigmatize mental health within the Asian community.
[Organization] Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum APIAHF influences policy, mobilizes communities, and strengthens programs and organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
[Organization] Asian American Health Initiative The mission of the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI), part of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, is to improve the health and wellness of Asian American communities in Montgomery County by applying equity, community engagement, and data-driven approaches.
[Organization] Asian Pride Project Stories of lesbian, gay, transgender and queer triumphs and struggles in our Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities through the eyes of parents, elders and family.
[Organization] Chinese-American Family Alliance For Mental Health Chinese-American Family Alliance for Mental Health (CAFAMH) seeks to promote self-empowerment and mutual support among Chinese-American caregivers of mentally ill individuals by providing a safe space for family support group meetings. CAFAMH aims to educate and raise community awareness of mental illness, improve the quality of services necessary for mental health patients, family members, and caregivers.
[Organization] The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) A federation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizations. We seek to build the organizational capacity of local LGBT AAPI groups, develop leadership, promote visibility, educate our community, enhance grassroots organizing, expand collaborations, and challenge anti-LGBTQ bias and racism
[Podcast] "Asians Do Therapy," Conversations with Asians and Asian Americans on both sides of the couch. Hosted by Yin J. Li, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
[Podcast] "Misfortune Cookies," Launched in November of 2020 by friends Karl and Rachel, this podcast provides a space for Asian Americans to share their mental health stories while working to destigmatize conversations about the topic in the Asian American community.
II. Articles and Resources for HR & People Leaders and Allies
The following articles share insights into the rising mental health crisis AAPI professionals are experiencing.
[Article] “Workplace Mental Health for Asian American Professionals,” Hear from Asian American professionals about the unique challenges they face around workplace mental health—insights from Employees at Adobe, Dell, Square, and UC Berkeley
[Article] “How to support Asian American colleagues amid the recent wave of anti-Asian violence,” CNBC Make It offers tips for leaders and peers to better support their Asian American colleagues right now.
[Article] "Rise in Anti-Asian American hate crimes may lead to mental health crisis," A growing body of research suggests that experiencing such racist aggression can have serious mental health impacts.
[Article] "Why Some Asian Americans Are Staying Silent About the Ongoing Hate Crimes," Here's how allies can show support during this time.
[Article] "How Mental Health Employee Resource Groups Can Support Their DEIB Counterparts To Stop Social Injustice In The Workplace," In this article, Mind Share Partners interviewed ERG leaders and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) experts to understand how these groups can work together to champion DEIB goals and support the mental health needs across communities.
[Article] "How Mental Health Employee Resource Groups Can Support Their DEIB Counterparts To Stop Social Injustice In The Workplace," In this article, Mind Share Partners interviewed ERG leaders and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) experts to understand how these groups can work together to champion DEIB goals and support the mental health needs across communities.
[Article] "Stressors in the Asian American experience," A list of experiences in the AAPI community that contributes to poor mental health outcomes.
[Article] "Talking about depression can be hard for Asian Americans, but services can help," Experts said isolation, social pressure, and war trauma can contribute to depression.
[Article] "It ‘makes you feel invisible’ When people can’t tell their co-workers of color apart, it’s a constant reminder that you’re an outsider," Jonathan Castanien, and Nicholas Pilapil were often mistaken for each other by their white co-workers.
[Article] "When Asian American Men Seek Therapy: The Invisible Struggle," The Invisible Struggles of a so-called "Model Minority"
III. Resources for Mental Health ERGs (or Affinity Groups)
[Article] "How Mental Health Employee Resource Groups Can Support Their DEIB Counterparts To Stop Social Injustice In The Workplace" Forbes
[Resource] Virtual Community for Mental Health ERGs, Mind Share Partners A free Slack community and ongoing resources for leaders of mental health ERGs from over 200+ companies.
IV. Covid-19 Mental Health Resources For Businesses and Leadership
This visual guide outlines action-oriented tips and company examples to help managers and leaders support employee mental health during this time. The guide can be shared with leaders and managers directly or as a presentation to teams.
Mind Share Partners is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization that is changing the culture of workplace mental health so that both employees and organizations can thrive. We host communities to support ERGs and professionals, build public awareness, and provide workplace training and strategic advising to leading companies.