By Camille Chu
Dozens of people of all ages and occupations—mental health professionals, directors, government policymakers, liaisons, community leaders, and more—filed into the room where folders full of flyers and pamphlets awaited on the table. It wasn’t just the sheer number of dedicated individuals but the collective commitment to a shared mission that amazed me.
This was the annual White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) mental health convening.
Over the past couple of years, I have been entranced by the myriad of opportunities youth have to create change. I have been involved in organizing panels, conferences, summits, fundraisers, and more. However, I have been most intrigued by tangible change at the national level. I believed that this was, by far, the most challenging to get involved in and even more challenging to spearhead to make a real difference.
Yet, what I had experienced at this convening gave me a fresh perspective—one that showed me concrete change is truly attainable with patience, dedication, and resilience.
Throughout the meeting, I was in awe of representatives from programs and organizations such as the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA), and Asian American Journal of Psychology who spoke so passionately about their work and values.
Admiral Rachel Levine, in particular, caught my attention. Serving as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Levine emphasized her commitment to positive mental health outcomes and focus on health equity, which she defined as the “attainment of the highest level of health for all people.” She mentioned her work targeting the stigma of mental health prevalent in racial and ethnic minorities as well as the importance of providing culturally and linguistically appropriate information.
Next, Erika Moritsugu, the first ever White House AAPI liaison, spoke about her pioneering work in bringing the AAPI perspective into conversations with the White House Chief of Staff. I learned about alarming statistics, such as the fact that suicide is the leading cause of death in AANHPI youth and that AANHPI youth are the only racial or ethnic group with this first cause of death. Moritsugu brought up how this WHIAANHPI initiative includes a new emphasis on climate environmental justice and a push for civic engagement. Her encouraging, yet candid speech made me acknowledge the infinite nuances to governmental decisions regarding these areas.
In addition, through all of this, I was able to reflect on my own local community. One in three youth suffer from mental health disorders with AAPI youth in the Bay Area disproportionately burdened by social and academic pressure, often layered on top of language and cultural barriers. In this world of increased stigma and pressure—especially for minority communities who may feel invisible and ignored by others—it is so important to preserve our personal voices.
I remember looking around the room once last time. I saw not only the faces of inspiring leaders and global changemakers but also compassionate individuals who have dedicated their lives to supporting their community and doing everything in their power to give a voice to the underrepresented. This meeting reminded me that, through collective action and a shared purpose, we can overcome challenges and pave the way for a more equitable future.