A resolution supporting the designation of May 10, 2025, as "National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day".
This is a Senate resolution (S. Res. 208) introduced in the 119th Congress recognizing May 10, 2025 as National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day. It expresses the sense of the Senate that mental health is vital to the well-being of families and communities and that raising awareness about mental health in AANHPI communities is important. The resolution highlights disparities in mental health care for AANHPI people, including low utilization of services, the need for language- and culturally appropriate care, and the disproportionate impact of discrimination and trauma. It also notes the importance of data that disaggregates the AANHPI population to better address specific subgroups. As a resolution, it does not create new law or funding. Instead, it calls on federal, state, and local health agencies to adopt laws, policies, and guidance aimed at improving help-seeking and access to mental health services for the AANHPI community and other communities of color. The overall purpose is to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage policy action that could support better mental health outcomes for AANHPI Americans.
Key Points
- 1Designates May 10, 2025, as “National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day.”
- 2Highlights that the AANHPI community is diverse and faces significant mental health disparities, including low service utilization and suicide as a leading cause of death among AANHPI youth (ages 10–24) from 2018–2023.
- 3Emphasizes the need to disaggregate AANHPI data to accurately capture subpopulation-specific mental health issues and tailor solutions culturally and linguistically.
- 4Calls out language-access barriers and the need for more providers, including paraprofessionals, with appropriate training and ongoing support.
- 5Encourages federal, state, and local health agencies to adopt laws, policies, and guidance aimed at improving help-seeking rates and access to mental health services for AANHPI communities and other communities of color.