AAPI Mental Health Forum

Yesterday, more than 60 individuals attended a mental health forum sponsored by APCA and Magellan of Arizona. Speakers included Dr. James Campbell, Dr. Young Lee, and Ms. Yen Nguyen, APCA Special Projects Coordinator – each of whom provided a perspective on mental health issues among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Mr. Jeff Boldizsar, Deputy CEO of Magellan, provided an overview of Magellan’s services and opportunities for community members to get involved in improving access for AAPIs. Mr. Boldizsar shared data indicating that while AAPIs constitute 3% of the population in Maricopa County, they account for only 1% of enrolled Magellan clients.

Speakers noted that reasons for the under-utilization of mental services among AAPIs include the stigma surrounding mental illness, language barriers, lack of knowledge about mental health, differing cultural perspectives on mental health, and lack of knowledge about the availability of mental health services.

Participant suggestions included increasing the number of AAPI mental health providers, addressing policies that inhibit the provision of services to AAPIs, and conducting mental health educational campaigns.

A follow up meeting will be held for those interested in working further on mental health issues among local AAPIs. For further information, contact Ms. Yen Nguyen, APCA Special Projects Coordinator, at yen@apcaaz.org or (480) 626-3065.

- Doug Hirano, MPH, APCA Executive Director