How Can Schools Improve AAPI Adolescents' Mental Health
A major Supreme Court decision, a rise in Asian hate and violence, COVID-19 stress, and racial trauma: These have all contributed to the mental health challenges faced by young people today, especially those who are marginalized. Rather than ignore these trends, let’s ensure that we take care of the basics and address the mental health crisis of the often unseen and underserved Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander adolescents. Even when AAPI students look like they are doing well academically, they can mask underlying issues of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. This session will explore specific mental health stressors, review compelling data, and offer practical resources and actionable tools that secondary schools, CBOs, and colleges can use to better support and advocate for the mental health of AAPI students. In addition, this session will address the particular needs of AAPI LGBTQ+ youth, including suicidal ideation and risk of suicide. There’s important work each of us can do to improve the mental health of AAPI and marginalized teens, and this session will help equip participants for that work.
Presenters: Li Hsiang (Lisa) Chung, MA.Ed, LCUSD College and Career Counselor/Specialist
Chris Loo, LMSW, Co-Director of College Counseling Diversity, Unity and Belonging/NACAC Board of Directors
Kimberly Tsai Cawkwell, MA.Ed, Director of Programs at Challenge Success