Asian and Pacific American Mental Health Day 2021
In honor of Asian and Pacific American Mental Health Day, Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc. (RAMS) proudly presented Making Time: Wellness Practices across Asian American & Pacific Islander Communities, a free virtual event open to the public on May 10. From 9:30am – 4:00pm, guests engaged in panel discussions, a Bhangra dance workshop, Chinese integrative medicine, Zen-inspired meditative art, and Samoan dance.
In light of the pandemic and surge in anti-Asian violence, many in the API community may struggle to find peace and hope in their homes. With Making Time: Wellness Practices across Asian American & Pacific Islander Communities, RAMS shared tips to maintain mental wellness and assure attendees that there should be no shame or stigma around mental health. Although the event showcases wellness practices across different API cultures, all individuals of any background are welcome to attend.
About Mental Health Conditions
- Roughly one in five U.S. adults are impacted by at least one mental health condition according to the National Institute of Mental Health
- Nearly half of youth 13-18 years old are impacted by at least one mental health condition according to National Institute of Mental Health
- API adults have the lowest help-seeking rate with only 22% of API adults with a mental illness seeking services in 2019 according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
- According to the National Health Expenditure Accounts in 2020, total mental health costs are greater than any other health-related expense at $201 Billion. This far outpaces other leading expenses like those for heart conditions, trauma, and cancer.
- Untreated mental illness costs the nation $113 billion annually according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
About Asian and Pacific American Mental Health Day
May is established nationally as both Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness month. In 2010, RAMS spearheaded the effort to establish May 10 as the Asian Pacific American Mental Health Day in the State of California and the City and County of San Francisco. APA Mental Health Day has since been established in other cities like Austin, Texas. At the confluence of both Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness month, APA Mental Health Day recognizes the importance of raising awareness about mental health and promoting mental wellness in the Asian and Pacific Islander community.
