Mental Health Update
03/07/2022 – ASIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION LAUNCHES MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTORY TO ADDRESS ACCESSIBLITY AND CULTURAL NEEDS FOR ASIAN NEW YORKERS
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CONTACT: Akash Gejjagaraguppe | akash@kivvit.com | 603.930.0591
ASIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION LAUNCHES MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTORY TO ADDRESS ACCESSIBLITY AND CULTURAL NEEDS FOR ASIAN NEW YORKERS
As Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Crisis Continues, Mental Health Takes Significant Toll on Asian Americans Who Lack Resources to Access Services
The Asian American Mental Health Directory Can Be Accessed HERE
New York, NY – The Asian American Federation (AAF) today launched its mental health directory to help Asian American individuals and families find a provider to fit their cultural and accessibility needs. The goal of AAF’s directory is to ensure that all Asian New Yorkers who need mental health care can receive it in the language they speak and from providers who look like them and understand their cultures. Mental health professionals included in the online directory service provide counseling, education, and a number of other services that Asian Americans may seek to support their mental well-being.
“There is still much work to be done to help Asian New Yorkers recover from this pandemic, and the first step on the road to recovery is addressing mental health. The stress, trauma, and fear we experience every day because of the increased crimes against Asian Americans weigh heavily on our community,” said *Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive Director of the Asian American Federation*. “For many Asian immigrants and community members, it can be difficult to find not only a provider who understands their culture, but also one who speaks their native language. This directory will help bridge that gap and empower the members of our community to find the support they sorely need during this trying time.”
Considering the continuing anti-Asian hate crimes crisis, the Asian American Federation has urged that access to mental health services be a legislative priority for New York City and New York State. As outlined in its 2022 Policy Priorities document, AAF is calling for an increased
funding for organizations providing culturally competent mental health care to Asian New Yorkers, alongside acknowledgement of the importance of non-traditional and community-specific approaches to addressing mental health across Asian communities through city contracting and engagement processes.
Strengthening mental health services for Asian New Yorkers is reliant on committed funding from New York State and City. After a history of underfunding, AAF is calling on elected officials to show their commitment to empower and protect New York’s Asian American community. The full AAF 2022 policy document can be viewed here: Rebuilding Together for A Just Future
AAF has also called upon New York City for $30 million in emergency committed funding following the tragic deaths of Asian community members in recent months.
AAF’s Mental Health Directory was created with support from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, New York State Health Foundation, and Peloton Interactive, Inc. and in collaboration with AAF’s member organizations, the Arab American Association of New York, Hamilton-Madison House, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, and Sapna NYC.
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The Asian American Federation was established in 1989, with the mission to raise the influence and well-being of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness, and nonprofit support. Serving 70 member and partner organizations and representing the collective interests of 1.3 million Asian New Yorkers, the Asian American Federation is the largest umbrella leadership organization in New York, serving diverse Asian American communities that make up the fastest-growing population in the city, state, and country.
