In a recent informational hearing led by Assemblymember Stephanie Wynne, California legislators convened to address the pressing mental health needs of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AA and HPI) communities. The session, which included testimonies from various health organizations, highlighted significant barriers these populations face in accessing mental health services.

Tu Quach, president of Asian Health Services, emphasized the critical importance of mental health care for diverse patients who have experienced trauma. He noted that despite the high demand for mental health support—evidenced by a 43% need among Southeast Asian adolescents—cultural stigma and structural barriers, such as language access and a lack of culturally responsive services, hinder utilization. Quach pointed out that the absence of disaggregated data often obscures the unique challenges faced by different ethnic groups within the AA and HPI communities, perpetuating the model minority myth and leading to inadequate resource allocation.

The hearing also addressed workforce shortages in mental health services, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Quach shared a poignant story illustrating how many older immigrants struggle to articulate their mental health issues, often expressing them through physical ailments. He advocated for the inclusion of non-licensed paraprofessionals, such as community health workers, who can bridge the gap and provide culturally relevant support.

Peter Gee from the Little Tokyo Service Center echoed these sentiments, stressing the diversity within the AANHPI community and the need for tailored approaches to mental health care. He called for increased investment in workforce development to ensure that mental health providers reflect the communities they serve.

The hearing concluded with a call for two key recommendations: the collection of accurate, disaggregated data to better understand the mental health needs of AA and HPI populations, and the expansion of the mental health workforce to include culturally congruent non-licensed professionals. These steps are seen as essential to addressing the mental health disparities that persist within these communities.