RAMS Promotes Youth Mental Wellness with Communities on AANHPI Mental Health Day
On May 10th, 2025, RAMS partnered with Asians Are Strong to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day. The day began with Asians Are Strong’s Our Heritage 5K Run/Walk, which brought together over 1,300 participants. Kevin Niuatoa and Josiah Mulitauopele from RAMS Pacific Islander Wellness Initiative joined the opening ceremony with a conch blowing performance.
At the finish line, RAMS hosted the Our Wellness Festival at Portsmouth Square for an afternoon of healing and celebration rooted in culture. With a focus on youth mental wellness, the festival included youth speakers from AAPI Youth Rising as well as engaging cultural performances by Siva 4 Wellness, Khmai Social Dance, and Lambong dance, Tai Chi, and Nepali meditation. Guests also enjoyed the creative stations of lei making and paper art, featherball games, giveaways, and booths from community organizations sharing wellness resources.
This year, RAMS joined local and national efforts to move awareness into action. In the evening of May 10th, San Francisco City Hall lit up in lime green in honor of AANHPI Mental Health Day. In addition, RAMS also received a proclamation from Mayor Daniel Lurie, declaring May 10th as AAPI Mental Health Awareness Day in San Francisco. These efforts call for a national commitment to reduce stigma and advance mental health equity for AANHPI communities.
Special thanks to the Our Wellness Festival event sponsor, Kaiser Permanente, and to all our community partners who helped make this event a success. To view more event photos, visit RAMS Facebook page.
History of May 10th
In 2010, RAMS spearheaded the first state, county, and city proclamation efforts to annually establish May 10th as the Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day in the State of California and the City and County of San Francisco. May 10th is now referred to as AAPI or AANHPI Mental Health Day. Since then, six states have codified May 10th as AAPI Mental Health Day. Over 80 organizations from 37 states have submitted proclamation requests to their city or state to recognize the day.
May 10th uplifts the unique mental health needs of the diverse AAPI community and emphasizes the need for culturally responsive, community-centered, and in-language care that creates a new positive way of healing and mental wellness. Learn more about AANHPI Mental Health Day on NAAPIMHA’s website.
