Between March 19, 2020, and February 28, 2021, almost 3,800 anti-Asian hate incidents were reported. These incidents included slurs, shunning, and physical assaults. More than twice as many attacks were directed toward Asian American women than toward Asian American men. Such numbers represent acts of discrimination that have been reported—the actual numbers are likely much higher. This uptick in harassment and violence is largely attributed to the coronavirus pandemic and racist political rhetoric directed toward Asian people.
Impact on Mental Health
This discrimination, harassment, and violence have a serious impact on the mental health and well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. For example, one study found that 42% of those who had experienced discrimination had anxiety symptoms, 30% had depression symptoms, and 39% had symptoms of traumatic stress. Therefore, it is critical that these communities have access to appropriate mental health resources. Racism and xenophobia take a serious toll on Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Research has found that racism and discrimination have a significant negative impact on mental health. In addition, communities subjected to othering by the dominant racial group are prone to mental health concerns, including an increased risk for anxiety and depression. Such othering also increases the risk of discrimination, harassment, and other hate crimes. This race-based discrimination can be overt, in the form of verbal harassment or physical attacks, but it can also take the form of microaggressions. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), people who experience hate crimes are more likely to experience:
Anger Anxiety Depression Post-traumatic stress
Mental Health Resources
“Asian Americans have long encountered barriers to accessing health and mental health care due to linguistic, cultural, insurance, and other barriers,” explained the Asian American Psychological Association in a written statement given March 18, 2021, at a U.S. House of Representatives hearing on discrimination and violence against Asian Americans. “Fear/anticipation of future racism may prevent Asian Americans from accessing needed resources, such as health and mental health care,” the statement continued. Because of this, online resources can be a particularly important tool for providing advice, support, and information on mental health for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Asian American Psychological Association
The Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA) focuses on using research, education, policy, and professional practice to advance the mental health and well-being of Asian American communities. In addition to advocacy and research, AAPA also provides fact sheets on Asian American mental health concerns, anti-bullying information, and Asian American LGBTQ resources.
Asian Mental Health Collective
The Asian Mental Health Collective is an organization focused on de-stigmatizing mental health within Asian communities. It provides the APISAA Therapist Directory, a directory of therapists located in most states and Washington, DC who specialize in serving Asian American, South Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities.
National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association
The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) is a resource provider for mental health services for Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians. The organization provides a resource list of state-level programs designed to meet AAPI-community mental health needs. In addition to a list of services available in all 50 states, the organization also provides links to general mental health resources.
South Asian Mental Health Initiative & Network
The South Asian Mental Health Initiative & Network (SAMHIN) is a non-profit that works to address the mental health needs of South Asian folks living in the United States. It provides a list of mental health providers who specialize in offering services to the South Asian community. In addition, its provider directory allows you to search by languages spoken, location, and service type.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a section of its website with resources specifically for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. In addition to providing an overview of some barriers to mental health care for members of these communities (including stigma, language barriers, and lack of culturally competent providers), NAMI also has seminars available in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese, as well as links to culturally sensitive support groups.
Asian American Health Initiative
The Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) was created by the Maryland Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. While its mission is to improve the health and wellness of Asian Americans living in Montgomery Country, Maryland, the site also provides useful general resources in Traditional Chinese, Korean, Hindi, and Vietnamese languages. Topics covered include getting mental health care, dealing with stress, building resilience, and staying active for well-being.
National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance
The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) brings together lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizations. Its goal is to help local groups by providing education, leadership development, collaboration, and visibility to help challenge racism and anti-LGBTQ bias. It also provides a directory of Asian and Pacific Islander healers and therapists.
A Word From Verywell
Increased racism negatively affects the mental health and wellness of Asian communities. In order to cope with the effects of this stress and racial trauma, it is important for Asian Americans to have access to resources and support systems that can help.
@asiansdotherapy @asianmentalhealthcollective @asianmentalhealthproject @asiansformentalhealth @browngirltherapy @itsjiyounkim @hieupham.lcsw @projectlotusorg @southasiantherapists @themindhealthspot
In addition to the support of family, friends, and community, online resources—including online therapy and online mental health apps—can be a helpful way to support mental wellness in the face of stress and discrimination.
