I was hesitant about sharing something personal on social media, especially because I’m not super comfortable with opening up to people or sharing about myself. But I’m stepping outside of my comfort zone because mental health is so so so important. If I had to describe myself: quiet, shy, reserved, introverted, especially around strangers and in a class full of other students. However, my mind is always buzzing with thoughts and unspoken words. Sometimes, I’m laying in bed wishing I can shut my thoughts off with just one single flick of a switch. Because sometimes, my thoughts are too much for me to handle. It’s just all too much. Too overwhelming. I feel like I’m walking on thin ice. Always rehearsing what I’m going to say inside my head over and over again. Always having to reassure myself that people aren’t judging me. It’s exhausting. I just want to be myself. And I asked myself, “What does it mean to be myself?” This is when I began to focus on my mental health.

Here is a post that I shared a couple weeks ago: Does anyone else feel sad for no reason? Like sadness just pops out and hits you out of nowhere. Hard. And then you start thinking and get even more sad? You just want to turn off all those thoughts swirling inside your head. So you shut your eyes hoping that sleep will fix everything? But sometimes you can’t fall asleep even though you’re dying to do so. You try counting backwards from 1000. You try recalling some pointless formulas or processes you learned. nothing’s working. then what do you do?

I think one of the scariest things in the world is the human mind. We all have it. But each mind is different. No one can ever step inside mine. It’s just me, alone. me and my thoughts. sometimes when I try picturing my mind it’s a room. It’s vast, endless and it’s pitch dark. Lost. Scared. Alone. But other days, I can picture my mind as an endless field of flowers underneath the blue sky scattered with white, fluffy clouds. Like the flower field from Howl’s moving castle. This time, I feel Safe. Warm.

Each day is different. It sucks that it can’t be rainbow and sunshine every single day. It sucks that my mind can’t be full of sunflowers 24/7. But the peace that follows after bawling your eyes out or after feeling like it’s the end of the world makes life bearable. I always remind myself: it’s always too much to take in everything all at once. So instead of focusing on all seven days, focus on 24 hours. If 24 hours is too much, then focus on one. If one hour is too much, take it a minute at a time. If one minute seems too much, just focus on breathing and give your mind and body some break. We don’t have to figure out everything all at once at this moment. Things are kind of all over the place right now. Different. Give yourself the love you deserve. Always. From me to myself. From me to you.

I want to remind myself, and everyone else, to focus on yourself. Be mindful of what our mind and body are telling us. Our feelings are valid. Our thoughts are valid. Sometimes, we just need to take a step back and take a deep breath. Healing takes time. It takes patience. Show yourself compassion and kindness. To me, my mental health journey is about connecting with my feelings and thoughts, learning to be comfortable with myself, and reminding myself that I (we) also deserve love and kindness, always.

By : Leanna Duong

As a teenager, my mom often chided me if she caught me watching Korean Dramas or giggling on the phone with my friends. “Get serious about school”, she’d say. As a solid B student, I didn’t see a problem–school was fine, I had friends, what more could I want? But every time I was criticized, I got more and more annoyed. It seemed like the only way to appease my parents and “get serious” was to eliminate joy from my life. 

As I began studying harder, I unintentionally side-lined my friends. One less hour of video games was one more hour of grinding on the SAT, right? I worked twice as hard and I cut out all frivolous activities…yet I saw no improvement in my grades the following term. 

Furiously, I scoured the internet for an answer – asking my only friend Google how to increase my productivity. To which I received a lame reply: “Take a 5 minute break. Perhaps go for a walk”, spat Google. How on Earth would a walk solve anything!?

Only now, after studying human cognition, do I realize how important happiness is to work performance. Taking a break here and there is hardly self-indulgent; in fact, it can actually improve psychological and physical well-being. In order to thrive, it is not enough to eliminate negative emotions such as sadness and anger, one must also give equal consideration to positive emotions. 

Dr. Barbra Fredrickson of University of Michigan, one of the pioneers of positive psychology, asserts that positive affect broadens cognition while negative affect narrows cognition. To put this into perspective, imagine getting stranded in the forest; in a confrontation with a tiger, you would call upon the specific action tendency to make a split-second decision. Of course, it would be hard to come by any other solution besides running the hell away. But, upon removing the stressor of a wild tiger, one is allowed to be creative with how to go about evading a tiger if one stared them dead in the face, like making a trap or traveling with a bow and arrow. This example illustrates how negative affect serves to narrow and sharpen your attention while positive emotions serve to broaden your scope of thoughts and actions so that you can become a more socially integrated, creative, knowledgeable person. 

Positive emotions serve many purposes; it is hardly an excuse to be self-indulgent. There are many reasons to set time aside to pay attention to your happiness. Here are just a few:

  1. Positive emotions facilitate creativity.

    The current literature shows that those who experience positive emotions are more likely to be creative, flexible in thought, and efficient in breaking down information.

    In one study, participants primed with a happy video were more likely to list a greater number of things they wanted to do in that moment than those who were primed with a neutral or sad video (Fredrickson & Branigan 2004).

    Therefore, being in a positive state of mind can allow more ideas to flow through your mind and make you more creative. 

    Tip: Try it out by listening to your favorite song or watching a funny cat video before a hard problem set. You might score higher!

     

  2. Positive emotions facilitate faster recovery in anxiety-inducing situations.

    Being in a positive state of mind prior to anxiety-inducing situations can lighten the physical and psychological impact.

    One study showed that participants who watched a happy video prior to a stressful situation exhibited faster cardiovascular recovery than those who watched a sad or neutral film. (Fredrickson & Levenson 1998)

    Tip: Maybe giggle at the Subtle Asian Mental Health meme page before opening up your final grades. It might lessen the anxiety.

     

  3. Positive emotions can “undo” negative emotions. 

    Negative emotions can be “undone” by positive emotions, like a plus and minus sign canceling out. So when you are down, hit refresh by doing something to make you happy (Fredrickson & Levenson 1998; Fredrickson et al. 2000). 

    Tip: Try cheering yourself up from a bad day by doing an activity you like.

 

Over the years, as I have slowly incorporated this philosophy into my daily practice, I’ve noticed significant changes in my happiness and my performance. While I was a high school student under careful watch by my parents, I felt like I was not “allowed” de-stress. This caused me to bottle up two types of stress: school stress and the stress about releasing that stress. Oh boy, a double whammy!

But when I finally went to college, the changes I made to my life by introducing these techniques into my life were pivotal; I didn’t have to explain to my mother why I was scrolling Facebook on my down time; I didn’t have to quickly switch tabs if I heard footsteps near my door. I was able to set my rules about how to use my time. Given that I was a new college student, I will admit that not every decision I made was the wisest. However, through trial and error, I’ve been able to identify the activities that help me maximize my operating potential and be my happiest self at the same time. 

So if you want to know the big secret to being successful, it’s that productivity isn’t entirely dependent on the amount of hours you put in–it matters what mood you are in too. I was skeptical of this at first, but like the phrase, “you’ve got to spend money to make money”. You have got to spend time to save time. Take a leap of faith. It won’t hurt to take some time out of your day to take that walk or bake that cake. In times of stress, just remember this: your work influences your mood as much as your mood influences your work. 

Sources:
Fredrickson B. L. (2004). The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 359(1449), 1367–1378. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2004.1512

Fredrickson, B. L., & Levenson, R. W. (1998). Positive Emotions Speed Recovery from the Cardiovascular Sequelae of Negative Emotions. Cognition & emotion, 12(2), 191–220. https://doi.org/10.1080/026999398379718 

Fredrickson, B. L., Mancuso, R. A., Branigan, C., & Tugade, M. M. (2000). The Undoing Effect of Positive Emotions. Motivation and emotion, 24(4), 237–258. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1010796329158 

About the Author

Leanna Duong

Leanna is one year from graduating from Vanderbilt University with a B.S in Cognitive Studies. Her positive experiences as a Crisis Text Line Counselor and research assistant have inspired her to pursue a career in therapy. She seeks to find her own way of shining light on the mental health struggles that come with a hyphenated identity.

Have you ever struggled with navigating your queer identity while also navigating your Asian identity? Have you tried to access therapy or other mental health support and felt it wasn’t affirming of your unique identities?

This month, we chat Sara Stanizai – a licensed therapist, clinical supervisor, and the owner of Prospect Therapy, a queer- and trans-affirming therapy practice based in Long Beach, CA, with a special focus on serving first-generation American and immigrant communities.

A queer first-gen herself, Sara’s clinical and professional work focuses on serving the Afghan diaspora, specifically, fellow Afghan-American women, and bicultural communities in general. In addition to running her group practice, she is on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Bisexual Task Force, a 501c3 organization that champions education, advocacy and visibility for the bi+ communities of greater Los Angeles. 

Check out the work that Sara does with Prospect Therapy here!

Sara, LMFT and founder of Prospect Therapy

Tell me about your practice! What does it mean to be an affirming therapist? What’s it like to work with LGBTQ+ Asian clients?

Sara: We are a queer and trans affirming practice with a focus on first-gen and immigrant communities. All of our therapists bring lived experience and high quality clinical training to our work. Lived experience in short means we share many identities and experiences with the people we serve. We believe that clinical training and lived experience are both important in our work – neither is the “full story.”

An affirming therapist makes sure to check our assumptions, examine our own biases, understand where our own beliefs come from, and keep educating ourselves. Simply because we are “familiar with” a presenting issue or type of person doesn’t mean we know this person’s destination! I like to say an affirming therapist uses our knowledge as a foundation but helps our client build the house on top of it

It’s great working with the intersection of queer + Asian/PoC clients because we constantly hear that this is often one of the first times someone has been able to bring their whole self to therapy and really get to work through things. Even if those things are not what brought them to therapy, at least they don’t have to leave part of themself at the door.

What does it mean or look like when therapists bring lived experience and/or integrate feminist theory into their practice?

Sara: We embrace feminist therapy – which is not just “therapy for women”. It is a framework that takes systems into account. So that if you are experiencing distress, it’s not simply because you need to “shift your perspective.” Feminist therapy recognizes that we all exist within patriarchal and white-centered systems, and that would naturally result in distress for people not at the top.

What’s something you would want to share with young LGBTQ+ Asian folks?

Sara: Your identity is valid even if you don’t have a heartwarming coming-out-to-your-family story. Your experience is still valid even if you don’t share the information with your family. “Coming out” is not a deciding factor and is often imposed on people who are not interested or able to share things about ourselves.

Chosen family is a real thing and finding people who treat you the way you deserve, with respect, understanding and compassion is not limited by conventional standards.

Any tips for those who are unable to access identity-affirming therapy?

Sara: Find your people! We are everywhere. It does not have to be limited to official providers just like it doesn’t need to be your caregivers or siblings. There are peer-led groups, online forums, gaming communities, queer coffee shops or bars (if that’s your thing), and other groups that have nothing to do with being queer that you can join.

Also don’t feel bad for needing or wanting recognition or validation. We all need that when we are figuring ourselves out. If we don’t get that – if others don’t reflect us back to ourselves, it can be hard to know what’s what. Once you get enough of that, you’ll know who you are even if no one is there to validate you. It’s like trying to get dressed in the dark – we need some sort of confirmation that we’re doing it right. That our signal is being received. Once we get comfortable with that, then we don’t need the mirror after all. 😊 But everyone needs it at first, so don’t feel bad for that!

What do you want to say to those navigating coming out to their family as an Asian queer person?

Find an ally, a role model, or a buffer for tense family situations. If you have someone to whom you can vent about it afterward, that can make all the difference and help you feel less alone.

If you are the first or only in your family that you know of, take heart in knowing that you are being there for your future family members who will be able to look to you for support.

And finally if you tell everyone but your family, or no one at all, you’re still who you say you are.

Check out Prospect Therapy as well as the Los Angeles Bi Task Force which Sara is on the board of!

Ryan Alexander Holmes
headshot of Christian de Luna
Christian De Luna
Vivian Duong

In honor of Asian/API Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, AMHC hosted a special WAVES virtual roundtable discussion featuring members of the Asian community whose stories often go unheard. 
The event also included a mindfulness break, a panel discussion on self care, community support, professional support, and an opportunity for participants to have intimate conversations around supporting their mental health.

“What we learn when we gather in spaces like this, is that not only are we not alone, but we are cared for and there is power in sharing our stories that we’ve been carrying as unwanted baggage. Once we open up our experiences and share them and explore their contents, we create a new story because we see how strong those experiences have actually made us.” – Ryan Alexander Holmes, Actor

AMHC provides many resources and programs to support Asians in every stage of their mental health journeys. One of these programs is WAVES, a series of events such as roundtables, guest speaker panels, and other meetups that foster connection and awareness of mental health in the Asian community. The main goal of WAVES is to create a sense of community and a safe space for the Asian community to discuss their mental health.

Learn more about WAVES from two of our amazing team members, Christian De Luna and Vivian Duong.


Q. How did WAVES get its start? What does WAVES do? 

Christian: WAVES was co-founded in New York City in Summer 2018 by Eric Pai and myself. We wanted to create an informal space where folks could come talk about any topic—all without the inherent stigma that mental health entails. We envisioned a community where folks could walk into a room and know that everyone else “knows” and has been through their own journeys and struggles. 

Vivian: WAVES was founded by Christian de Luna and Eric Pai. We hold community events to discuss our collective Asian experience and its impact on mental health. 

Q. What do you love the most about working on the WAVES team at AMHC? 

Christian: There are so many people who want to help our community. It’s been amazing to see the volunteerism put forth by all members of our team. I’ve met so many great folks (digitally for many), but I feel like I’ve known them forever at this point.

Vivian: What I love about WAVES is that we aim to bring the community together to have crucial, collective conversations on mental well-being. It’s fun — being able to connect, learn, and explore different perspectives from folks of different backgrounds. No mental health journey is entirely the same.

Q. What have you learned about Asian mental health as a WAVES member?

Christian: Asian is a monolithic term used to describe a broad swatch of cultures and ethnicities. There are so many nuances that each Asian person brings to the table based on their identities and upbringings, all factoring into their individual mental health. Mental health is not a one-size fits all matter, and being able to make the space more contextual and personable is really exciting work. I can’t wait to see where the road leads from here.

Vivian: Mental health is not linear. It is not always consistent. Some days, the tides are high, other days, they are low. Sometimes, they can be sporadic and chaotic like a raging storm. Maintaining your mental health isn’t always easy. However, you do not need to go through the mental health WAVES alone.

By: Jenny Park

I believe that when you are going through depressive episodes, it’s important to look at your situation objectively. But, that’s also the hardest part. Falling into a negative spiral is unfortunately too easy. Everyone has different mental capacities when coping with bad moods, and there is no right or wrong way to handle a difficult situation. In this somewhat personal blog, I will be sharing one of the ways that I found to be most helpful: asking myself questions. Not just any potentially destructive questions, but healthy questions. I often joke with my friends that I have befriended a self-created alter ego named Yeti, who is the one that stays grounded when my real ego acts up. Funnily enough, that silly habit comes in handy. 

*I am not a professional and this is based on my personal experience, so please read it with a liberated heart*

The Questions I’ve Learned to Ask Myself

1) “What happened in my environment that affected my mood?”

When I’m feeling down, I become hypersensitive to everything. I get irritated by the tiniest inconvenience and tend to take unintentional offense at people’s actions. My mood used to change drastically by the second and for the longest time, I didn’t know why, which was unsettling. Then, I arrived at the thought that maybe an environmental/external influence triggered something inside me that changed my mood. If I was getting coffee and the barista came off a little rude because she was busy, that somehow ruined my mood. Quite irrational and ridiculous, I know. But, I learned to recognize the alleged cause and effect in these situations. This helped me take a step back and process my surroundings rather than keeping myself in that moody loophole. Identifying specific external mood triggers and being conscious of my internal mood change have helped me keep my emotions organized.

 

2) “What does this mood mean to me?”

This could also be rephrased as “What is this particular mood telling me about myself?” This is a tough one. Let’s take the barista example I previously mentioned. Although the barista did nothing wrong, in my mind, my “damaged” mood was her fault. This tells me that I am emotionally dependent on how others treat me, to a certain extent, and that dependability could intensify when I’m not feeling that great about myself. Just like that, I learned a new fact about myself. I didn’t quite like this new fact when I realized it, however, this realization also opened the door to accepting it. Once I’m comfortable with this new fact, I could then challenge it.

 

3) “What can I do from now on?”

I’ve often found myself digging my own grave because I focused on how my past actions didn’t lead to a satisfactory reality – why didn’t I do this yesterday? Why did I waste time when I could’ve done something better? Etc. Well, the past is the past, and there’s always should’ve, could’ve, would’ve’s. Start thinking of what you think you should be doing from now on and go for it. During this process, you slowly start to learn what methods work for you and what doesn’t, so you’ll have a more reasonable expectation for yourself throughout the future.

 

4) “What meaning can I introduce into my life?”

Living in today’s society, it’s easy to feel empty. One common thought that recurs in my mind when I’m not feeling my best is “What is the meaning of my life?” It doesn’t encourage me to find an answer to the question, rather I immediately feel awful. It quickly shifts to the self-hate track and I always find myself questioning my worth – something that no one should question. Life is what you make of it; you are the pilot of this journey. Instead, we can tweak that and ask “What meaning can I introduce into my life?” Asking this question helps you identify the values, beliefs and behaviors that you want to keep pursuing in the long run. What I really like about this question is that there could be so many answers. It’s non-binary and fluid. And the best part about it is that you get to create it on your own and claim it.

 

5) “Is this self-pity or victimization?”

I often drown myself in thinking that I am deprived of empathic affection. Wanting attention, I sometimes play Cinderella and make everybody else in my life the mean step-mom and sisters. Whether it’s emotional oversharing in 9 out of 10 conversations I have in a week, or finding solutions to my current problems from my past trauma, I found myself blaming my low self-esteem on my less than ideal childhood to validate my skewed rationale. Then, I would think “only if my dad hadn’t abandoned me”  or “if only my mom had validated my feelings growing up, I wouldn’t have hated myself so much.” Maybe that’s true, but even if it is, what can I do about it? I can’t travel back in time and change my life events. Our past shapes who we are, but it doesn’t have to define us. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of self-pity moments, but it became a habit and I got tired of voluntarily playing the victim when I didn’t have to. Put yourself in different roles – sometimes be the bad guy, sometimes be an outsider, sometimes be a cameo, sometimes be a protagonist. It broadens your perspective on how you look at your life.

 

6) “What should I try that I haven’t tried?”

I do a lot of research to find subtle non-clinical ways that could help me (you don’t have to do exactly what Buzzfeed or Refinery29 tells you). Staying close to nature, for example. I try to go for a walk near my neighborhood where there’s water and trees. I try to stay close to friends who understand my feelings. I force myself to share my immature emotions when I just want to bottle up. I try to keep an active voice and say things when I want to say it and drop the passivity. There are subtle things you can do that, depending on how you look at them, could be immensely helpful. 

 

7) “If I saw someone feeling the way I am feeling right now, what would I tell that person?”

I think as Asians we are naturally quite empathetic and altruistic. We tend to think of others before ourselves and while that’s a wonderful quality more people should appreciate, it’s easy to leave yourself out of that same care. Think of whatever comment or advice you would want to give and say that exact same thing to yourself. Plug your name in it too (wow, cringe). Tell yourself that because you need that for yourself. It feels cringey at first, but self-empowerment is a great virtue.

 

Overall, the message I’m trying to communicate in this blog is “know yourself.” Learn how you respond in certain situations and keep yourself cognitively checked in to how you are processing your thoughts/emotions. It’s complicated and honestly a life-long homework that never gets easier. But, it makes you grow. It prevents your mental illness from overpowering you. 

If you are going through a rough patch and you’ve gotten yourself out of a negative thought, you should be genuinely proud of yourself. If you couldn’t, that’s still very okay. The attempt is a continuous effort. No need to feel like your mental illness is slowing you down. If any of you are Marvel fans, remember that even the Avengers fought 14,000,605 battles and won only 1, but that one victory became more meaningful because they made it that way. Perspective isn’t everything, but definitely something we shouldn’t ignore. Be your own advocate. Be a kind friend to yourself. Be selfish sometimes. 

About the Author

Jenny Park 

Jenny is originally from Korea, raised partially as a military “BRAT” (Born Raised And Trained). She is currently based in Huntsville, Alabama working as a Camp Counselor at a local space educational center. Jenny is passionate about bringing mental health issues to the table and supporting communities of color. 

This Fall has been filled with many strong emotions, as we grapple with the mass violence and genocide taking place in Gaza currently. Whether you are feeling hurt, angry, confused, or numb – know that your feelings are valid.

On Monday October 23 we hosted a processing and healing space led by psychologist and meditation practitioner Sriya Battacharyya, PhD. We also held a follow-up collective grief processing space led by Sara Stanizai and Manpreet Kaur on November 6. 

Sara, Afghan-American therapist, also shared her thoughts on processing major traumatic events below.

Please introduce yourself.
My name is Sara Stanizai, I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist and the owner of Prospect Therapy, a queer and trans affirming practice in southern California with a focus on immigrant and diaspora mental health. I’m Afghan-American, I was raised Muslim, and am openly bisexual. There are a LOT of people like me, and I keep talking about it so that we can find each other. Myself and the therapists at my practice bring clinical training and lived experience to our work, meaning we share identities and experiences with many of the communities we serve. 

Please feel free to share any thoughts or anything you’d like us to consider while processing the violence in Gaza. 

People talk a lot about trauma, especially in mental health circles, or even in sensationalized media content. And to be sure, there is an overwhelming amount of trauma we are witnessing and experiencing.

But there isn’t as much talk about grief. Grief is a very typical and universal response to loss – any type of loss. 

That might mean literally grieving and mourning loved ones. Let’s not forget the people in our communities who are directly affected by genocide, displacement, and the natural and manmade disasters taking place right now. 

But the effects of grief also extend out from these events, to people who aren’t directly affected. 

As we witness what is unfolding, we are still pressured to go on about our daily lives. And yes, of course life goes on. But it doesn’t have to be “business as usual,” ignorant of how these events are affecting us. 

We might be grieving the loss of relationships, disillusionment, loss of belief in certain systems and people; disenfranchised grief (when the loss is not acknowledged or publicly allowed), or even grieving the lack of public support for your own community. It’s not pretty, but many people are privately wondering, where was the outrage for us? 

There’s no shame in any iteration of grief you might be experiencing. 

Center and support the people who are most closely and directly affected by loss. AND acknowledge that witnessing loss can also stir grief responses for you too. It’s not co-opting someone else’s experience, as long as you pour the support toward them first. 

Are there any resources that folks can look up in case they missed the session? 

Disenfranchised Grief: Recognizing Hidden Sorrow by Kenneth Doka

The Four Tasks of Mourning by William Worden

SWANA Therapist Collective

 

Please feel free to share any thoughts or anything you’d like us to consider while processing the violence in Gaza. 

People talk a lot about trauma, especially in mental health circles, or even in sensationalized media content. And to be sure, there is an overwhelming amount of trauma we are witnessing and experiencing.

But there isn’t as much talk about grief. Grief is a very typical and universal response to loss – any type of loss. 

That might mean literally grieving and mourning loved ones. Let’s not forget the people in our communities who are directly affected by genocide, displacement, and the natural and manmade disasters taking place right now. 

But the effects of grief also extend out from these events, to people who aren’t directly affected. 

As we witness what is unfolding, we are still pressured to go on about our daily lives. And yes, of course life goes on. But it doesn’t have to be “business as usual,” ignorant of how these events are affecting us. 

We might be grieving the loss of relationships, disillusionment, loss of belief in certain systems and people; disenfranchised grief (when the loss is not acknowledged or publicly allowed), or even grieving the lack of public support for your own community. It’s not pretty, but many people are privately wondering, where was the outrage for us? 

There’s no shame in any iteration of grief you might be experiencing. 

Center and support the people who are most closely and directly affected by loss. AND acknowledge that witnessing loss can also stir grief responses for you too. It’s not co-opting someone else’s experience, as long as you pour the support toward them first. 

Below are resources we compiled to aid your collective grief journey.

DONATE:

GET INVOLVED:

LEARN:

 

For hub of mental health resources and events; https://www.instagram.com/palmhnwellness/

Mental Health Supports During Gaza Crisis by NAAPIMHA: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NT8IxSoYOrB6gyU_87tXTs18prVpfUSX35zfl1bCvdQ/edit 

By: Em Wong

No, it’s not a typo.

So, recently I’ve been reading heaps of personal finance blogs. I’ve started my first grown-up job and am looking into investing for my future. (I aim to live off my investment profits by 40. FIRE, anyone?) All this has got me thinking about how the concepts of investing and growing financial wealth can transfer to… mental health. Let’s talk about investing in your mental health so it pays dividends in the future!

Turning Mental Health into Mental Wealth

1. Know your values when you set up your budget (your mental budget, that is)

Follow along with me on this metaphor. You have mental currency that you earn and spend. To be mentally wealthy, you’ve got to budget and invest well. So what are your needs? What’s important to you? What makes you feel fulfilled and happy? That’s where you should spend your mental currency – aka your attention, time and energy. Work out what aspects of your life uphold your values, and what don’t. Are you spending too much on energy drains and unnecessary purchases? Alter your budget as required. Know where your mental currency is going. Be more intentional in your budget. Focus on quality, versatility and joy. Marie Kondo your budget, Marie Kondo your life.

 

 

2. Beware the comparison trap – where are your spending impulses coming from?

We all know the dangers of Instagram – from enticing you to buy future clutter… to bombarding you with pretty people and FOMO. For those aspirational impulse spenders out there – you can change how you use social media. Unfollow, unlike, mute, delete. It’s a little harder in real life, but we can be aware of people and situations that mentally drain us. If you find yourself trying reaching for an impossible standard – stop and ask why. Who is pressuring you to be someone you’re not? Make some healthy swaps. A little self-awareness and introspection can curb a lot of unhelpful impulses.

 

3. Get rid of temptation!

You know those spam emails from your favourite store? They pop up in your inbox, promising a whopping 20% off summer shorts? So hard not to click… (Or any time there’s chocolate in the house – good luck, Emily’s self-control.) It’s much harder to exercise self-control when temptation is right in front of you. Do you always end up in the same unhealthy situation (e.g. sick with a stomach full of chocolate and a new pair of shorts)? Notice your triggers. If you can avoid it from the start, it saves a lot of mental stress later on.

 

4. Never go to the supermarket hungry

On the topic of chocolate-gorging triggers – I’ve learnt to never go to the supermarket hungry. I always reach for the unhealthy snacks. (Read: chocolate). In that same vein, do something that fills up your mental energy bucket before events that you know will tax you.

 

 

5. Cut and combine debts

The first debts to tackle are the small ones you can pay off fast. They’ll give you the momentum to move forward. Next are the ones with the highest interest, which allow you to minimise wasted dollars. If you’re able to combine your loans, it helps you feel more in control. If you want to stop spending money you don’t have, you could cut up your credit cards and use cash instead. (Sorry for the actual financial advice – but it’s the same with mental debts). Is there a bunch of stuff you’re avoiding? Is it taking a toll on your mental health, causing knock-on effects in the rest of your life? Are you spending mental currency you don’t have, and then not paying yourself back? I know it’s hard and uncomfortable, but the sooner you work on paying off debts, the sooner you can gain control.

 

6. Do your research before you invest – but definitely invest

Look, I’m forever salty that I didn’t invest in Bitcoin when I first heard of it in 2012. But that doesn’t matter now. Cryptocurrency seems a little too risky and shady for my taste anyway. I did some research and invested in sustainable ETFs. They select stocks that pass a certain ethical standard. In real life, you have a choice of who and what to invest your mental currency in. You’ve got to know who to trust (there are some dodgy advisors out there). You also have to select ones you like and gel with. That takes time and effort. Yes, there’s always risk involved. There will always be a market crash. But you can’t grow your wealth unless you somehow invest. In other words, you gotta be in it to win it. Invest in life.

 

7. Diversify your assets and spread your risk

On that note, it’s always a good idea to diversify your assets so that if one thing crashes you don’t lose it all. Don’t invest all your money in one chocolate company (delicious, but bad for you). You could invest in many chocolate companies. Or, the marketing company that makes the chocolate ads. Invest in the Chocolate Appreciation Society (dunno why it’s listed on the stock market). Then invest in bread and also dogs. It’s the same with your support system. You need more than one confidante. You might have a support group, a community, a best friend, a therapist, a GP, a psychiatrist, a pet. Then there are books, apps, music and hobbies. A daily routine, a self-care ritual, walks in nature, memes, and so on and so forth.

 

8. Be grateful for the simple things in life (it’s what makes you happy)

You don’t need to save up for that expensive car, holiday or chocolate factory to finally be happy. Collect little rituals and do free things that give you joy, and you can have that feeling many times a day. It’s the same feeling, honest. I find joy in drinking a cup of tea, sharing smiles with babies, and making endless music playlists. Oh, and also chocolate! All without the expense of an expensive plane ticket from Australia to anywhere.

 

9. Have some savings goals and a future vision

So what are you actually saving for? All that money has to be for something. My financial goal is to have financial freedom and live off my investments. Then I can spend time working on my passion: being a world-famous chocolatier. Now what about mental wealth goals? When I was young, I suffered from debilitating social phobia. But I worked hard on my social confidence. I wanted to achieve my personal and career goals without my fears inhibiting me. I wanted to help others in the way that I needed, but never had. (That’s a story for another post). But here I am, I’ve gotten way further than I ever thought I’d get, and I’m using this platform to make a difference.

 

10. Don’t be an amateur day trader; don’t get swayed by market panic

Obsessing over tiny changes in market volatility is exhausting and time-consuming. Plus, over a few decades you don’t win out over the people who invest and forget and let compound interest do its thing. This is all to say, don’t sweat the small stuff. There are always going to be tiny bumps in your day, but it’s how you respond to them that count. Even if there are big bumps – the trajectory of the stock market has always gone up over the long term. You’ll recoup that loss. Hold onto your blue chip stocks. The economy is cyclical and you’ll live through a few recessions. If you’ve got a life philosophy and a long-term plan, then don’t panic – you’ll win out in the end.

 

11. Get a side hustle

Diversify your income streams. Write that ebook, drive for uber or deliver pizza. Extra points if your side hustle hits one of your secret passions – if you’re lucky it can become your day job. Diversifying your mental income? Find a volunteer position, a creative hobby, or whatever else your soul loves.

 

12. Know what to splurge and save on

Splurge: mattresses. Save: random micro trends. Invest your mental currency in things that add the most value to your life. Things like healthy relationships, fulfilling activities, good quality sleep. Save on things like those “friends” who are fun to hang out with but would never be there for you when you need them. They’re not important.

 

13. Use a reusable water bottle (and reduce cognitive dissonance)

A reusable bottle is better for the environment and my wallet but also my brain. Any time I buy anything with single-use plastic (usually out of convenience), I get eco-guilt. I value caring for the environment but my priorities aren’t aligning. Cognitive dissonance is mentally taxing. Take a look at your values, and your habits. See where there are discrepancies. Make some changes. You can save yourself a heck of a lot of subconscious mental distress. (To the boba drinkers out there for whom this is a thing too – you can buy reusable boba cups too!)

 

14. Pay yourself and treat yo’ self

You’re the CEO of your life, so make sure you pay yourself. Treat yourself with kindness and love. No real money necessary.

 

15. Start making regular investments for your future

It’s never too late or early to start investing in your future – whether it’s financial or personal. Some people are waiting for the next stock market crash to dump a massive lump sum in there. But we have no idea when this crash will happen. It could be next month or in 2 years time, and in the meantime you’re missing out on potential gains. The best method is to make regular payments so that you can benefit long term, and put some extra in when it’s down. It’s the same with getting support. Don’t wait until you’ve hit a crisis, or after exam season when you have “more time” (but less stress), because then it’s too late. The best way to handle a crisis is to prevent it. Keep checking in – whether that’s with your therapist, doctor, or a trusted mentor.

 

16. Find some ingenious saving hacks

Some people save all their $5 notes. Some round up all their bank transactions and invest the difference. You can apply this in life – for example – set up an app to save happy photos or a box for cute notes from friends. Make a reminder to write down one thing you’re grateful for every night. When you need a little pick-me-up, you can go into your stash and remind yourself of the good times. I started an annual survey for myself in 2010. Every October I answer my questions about my life and goals at that point. It’s an amazing way to see how I’ve grown over the past ten years.

 

17. Change banks for the best rates, set and forget

This year, I realised I was getting pitiful interest on my bank account. There are heaps of snazzy new zero-fee-high-interest online banks out there. So I made the switch. It’s like receiving free money. Then I set up automated transfers to make life easier. Who knew banking could be so fun!? Sometimes there’s a possible big transition that would make life so much easier. The hard part is sitting down and getting it done. Do it. You’ll thank yourself later.

 

18. Learn how to meal prep some delicious and nutritious lunches for work

This is the ultimate in self-care and financial savvy. It feels so good to eat something healthy, hearty and cheap that I’ve made. I don’t do this enough but I’m going to make it a priority this year.

 

19. Don’t beat yourself up about buyers’ remorse

Sometimes you buy a thing, and then you question your life choices. It’s easy to beat yourself up about things you’ve done. Of course, it made sense at the time, or else you wouldn’t have done it. We all make mistakes. The only thing you can do now is to learn from it. In the future you won’t buy the metre long soft toy shark from Ikea despite being a grown adult with no children. (JK, no regrets.)

 

20. Life changes are hard, so get a buddy

My best friend is a straight-talking sort of person who has been my rock for 16 years. She knows me better than anyone (and knows how fickle I am in doing what I say I will). She’s seen me grow from that quiet girl to the crazy people-loving extroverted introvert I am today. (Change is hard for her. She’s working on adjusting.) My friends from home remind me of who I am at my core and how far I’ve come. My new friends give me the opportunity to explore new possibilities. No matter who it is, we usually spend too much money on good food (it’s worth it) or eating too much chocolate (also worth), and then I convince everyone to do karaoke (hey, let’s do karaoke!). Even if we have no money left, good friends are the best sorts of wealth.

Disclaimer: I’m not a financial advisor, so take my unqualified financial advice with a grain of salt! Say you’re not on a liveable income or are in a financial crisis. This article may not be immediately applicable to you. The same goes for mental health crises. That’s ok! Take care of the emergencies first.

About the Author

Emily Wong

Em is a 26-year-old Aussie doctor and future psychiatrist. Her passion is integrating the arts into mental health advocacy, education and practice. Em is an adventurous introvert, art gallery enthusiast and karaoke fiend. Most importantly, she LOVES DOGS.   

Asian Mental Health Collective (AMHC) is hosting our 2nd annual virtual TransformAsian conference, and we are excited to connect thousands of individuals around the world on their mental health journeys.  The name “TransformAsian” alludes to transformations, and our belief in the power of change and the importance of celebrating recovery.  This year, we are excited to share more personal stories and professional experiences focused on Asian mental health.

The TransformAsian 2022 theme – “Breaking the Cycle” – speaks to our commitment to destigmatize mental health issues important to Asian communities.  Hear from speakers on topics such as internalized stigma, intergenerational trauma, and the model minority myth, as well as from special guests and performers.

May 1, 2022
1:30 PM - 6:00 PM EST
Tune in live on Facebook, Youtube, or Twitch!

Welcome

1:30 PM EST / 10:30AM PST

Meditation

1:40 PM EST / 10:40AM PST

Self Panel

1:55 PM EST / 10:55AM PST

Performance

2:40PM EST / 11:40AM PST

Community Panel

2:55PM EST / 11:55AM PST

Performance

3:55PM EST / 12:55PM PST

Society Panel

4:10PM EST / 1:10PM PST

Fireside Chat

4:55PM EST / 1:55PM PST

Closing

5:55PM EST / 2:55PM PST

Fireside Chat

In our Fireside chat, speakers will highlight themes from the three pillars of self, community, and society. As they share about their experiences and their work, they will talk about where we go next as a community.
Michelle Zauner
Author, Crying in H Mart
Singer, Japanese Breakfast

Michelle Zauner is best known as a singer and guitarist who creates dreamy, shoegaze-inspired indie pop under the name Japanese Breakfast. She has won acclaim from major music outlets around the world for releases like Psychopomp (2016) and Soft Sounds from Another Planet (2017). Her most recent album, Jubilee (2021), earned two GRAMMY nominations for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album. Her first book, Crying in H Mart, an unflinching, powerful memoir about growing up Korean-American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity, is a New York Times Best Seller. She’s currently adapting the memoir for the screen for MGM’s Orion Pictures.
Cathy Park Hong
Author, Minor Feelings

Cathy Park Hong is an award-winning poet and essayist whose book, Minor Feelings, is a searching work that ruthlessly reckons with the American racial consciousness. Hong weaves together personal stories, historical context, and cultural criticism to ultimately create an emotional and impactful exploration of Asian American personhood. Minor Feelings is the 2020 recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Autobiography. Hong is the author of several books of poetry, and is the recipient of notable awards such as the Windham-Campbell Prize. In her moving talks, she offers a fresh and honest perspective on race and Asian American identity, discusses how poetry and writing can be a means for understanding ourselves and our world, and comments on the ways politics and culture are influenced by art—and vice versa.
Facilitator
Jeanie Chang
LMFT and Founder of Your Change Provider
Learn More

Fireside Chat

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner:

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Penguin Random House

Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong:

Amazon, Bookshop, Penguin Random House

Jeanie Chang is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Founder of Your Change Provider, PLLC®, an interdisciplinary practice founded on solutions and her unique framework Cultural Confidence®. Jeanie is a bestselling author and an accomplished international speaker for corporations, community organizations, and colleges on topics such as burnout, resilience, mindfulness, stress, and mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Jeanie is also a McKinsey & Company external faculty and executive coach, corporate wellness and DEI consultant, and clinical expert for college student organizations.
In addition, she is a teacher on Headspace, and provides support groups around the country for DEI and AAPI leaders as well as journalists.

Self Panel

Understanding what it means to develop a positive self identity as an Asian American is a complex process. In the Self Panel,  panelists will share their experiences in overcoming internalized stigma and reconnecting with their culture unapologetically for themselves and others.

Ryan Alexander Holmes
Ryan Alexander Holmes
Actor & Content Creator
Sara Stanizai
Therapist & Coach
Linda Thai
Therapist, Coach, Educator & Speaker
Keali’i Kauahi
Doctoral Candidate, Clinical Psychology
headshot of Christian de Luna
Facilitator
Christian De Luna
Asian Mental Health Collective
Learn More

Self Panel

Ryan Alexander Holmes is an actor and content creator based in Los Angeles. Having garnered a sizable presence on social media (@ryanalexh) by using his platform to embrace his mixed Chinese/African American background through comedic story telling and poignant writings about family’s perseverance, Ryan’s goal is to encourage others who are of mixed ethnic/cultural backgrounds to fully embrace who they are and to show the world there is unimaginable strength in discovering harmony in multiculturalism. He is a proud alumni of both UC Berkeley (undergrad), and USC (masters). His Acting credits include For the People on ABC, Dear White People on Netflix, The Morning Show on AppleTV+ and Back on the Strip (coming to theaters in June 2022).

Sara is a licensed therapist, clinical supervisor, and owner of Prospect Therapy, a queer and trans affirming therapy practice with a focus on first-gen and immigrant mental health. She also facilitates coaching groups and retreats exclusively for the Afghan diaspora.

Additional resources:

Prospect Therapy: Afghan Women’s Group, Instagram and Therapy Practice 

Linda is a former child refugee who fled Vietnam with her parents as part of the Vietnamese Boat People exodus. She was raised in Australia and now lives in interior Alaska where she specializes in the healing of developmental and intergenerational aftermath of the historical trauma of forced displacement.

Keali’i Kauahi (he/him/his) is a Kanaka Maoli in his mid-twenties. He identifies as a heterosexual, cisgender male, who is able bodied and of lower middle-class privilege. He is a Third-Year student obtaining his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology/ Alliant International University – San Diego. He was born on Oʻahu and his hometown is Makakilo City. He is a loving boyfriend, a dog father, and the eldest of eight siblings. Keali’i is dedicated to serving the Kanaka Maoli community via providing therapy and Ho’oponopono in his ancestral homeland of Hawai’i upon graduation. His work aims to contribute towards the life of Hawaiian Culture and Traditions today.

Christian is a producer at Apple living in the Bay Area. A 15-year survivor of Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Christian advocates for mental health de-stigmatization and normalization as the Chief Marketing Officer for the Asian Mental Health Collective and co-founder of the in-person mental health meetup group WAVES. He has a particular interest in the intersection of digital and mental health awareness and looks to create game-based experienced exploring mental health. He received his B.A. in Science, Technology & Society at the University of Pennsylvania and his M.A. in Educational Technology at Columbia University.

Additional Resources:

A Games-Based Perspective on Depression: Relating Affective Experiences Through Digital Games

Community Panel

Although many Asian American communities carry generations of trauma, our stories are seldomly shared. In this panel, we will highlight those narratives and begin breaking down the barriers that prevent us from having open conversation between generations.

Diana Chao
Executive Director, Letters to Strangers
monica
Monica Modi Khant
Executive Director, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence (API-GBV)
MeeWha Alana Lee
Actor & Painter
Valerie Uy
LMFT & Social Justice Advocate
Facilitator
Dr. Mengchun Chiang
Clinical Psychologist
Learn More

Community Panel

Diana Chao is a first-generation Chinese-American immigrant from Southern California. Diana founded Letters to Strangers (L2S) when she was a sophomore in high school after bipolar disorder nearly ended her life. By beginning to heal through letters, she discovered that writing is humanity distilled into ink. Today, L2S is the largest global youth-for-youth mental health nonprofit, impacting over 35,000 people on six continents every year and publishing the world’s first youth-for-youth mental health guidebook for free. For this effort, Diana has been named a 2021 Princess Diana Legacy Award Winner, 2020 L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth, and Oprah Magazine's 2019 Health Hero. As part of Adobe's inaugural class of global Top Talents, Diana also seeks to further the intersection of creativity and social impact through conceptual photography. Her “Minority Mental Health Month” self-portrait series went viral with 2+ million views, and she teaches and speaks on youth mental health. But most of the time, she is just a 2021 graduate of Princeton University trying to navigate this complicated journey we call life.

Additional resources:

  • Youth-for-Youth Mental Health Guidebook: link 
  • Teachers' Handbook: Mental Health Curriculum Guide: link
  • Public letter exchange platform should anyone want to participate is here

Monica Modi Khant is the Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence (API-GBV). Ms. Khant received her BA from Rutgers University in and her J.D. from New England School of Law. Upon graduation, she was the Detention Attorney at the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) where she represented detained asylum seekers. In 2000, Ms. Khant continued practicing immigration law with private immigration firms in Boston, MA. In 2005, she was appointed as the Director of Legal Services at the International Institute of Boston (IIB) and joined Georgia Asylum & Immigration Network (GAIN) as their first Executive Director from 2006-2020.

MeeWha Alana Lee became an actor after her son, Alan, a film student and classically trained pianist, lost his battle with depression. She previously was a college professor and then a brand design strategy executive. Since she began this journey, it is her mission to tell the stories of immigrants, women, racism, and mental illness.

Lee is a member of AEA and SAG AFTRA, appearing in Off-Broadway plays and short films including NETTLES and FIVE STARS, and plays the title role in Sony Studios’ current feature film, UMMA. TV credits include AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS and THE CHAIR.

Valerie Uy is a Chinese American LMFT and social justice advocate who is passionate about creating spaces of healing, connection and safety. Valerie specializes in working with couples and individuals, specifically interracial couples, racial trauma, infidelity/betrayal trauma, and substance use. She works through an attachment-based and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) lens to identify deep-rooted hurt that impacts her clients’ relationships.

Additional resources:

  • The Try Guys: “We Need to Talk about Anti-Asian Hate”: link
  • Bystander Intervention Training: link
  • “Permission to Come Home” by Dr. Jenny Wang: link
  • Nationwide APIDA Peer Support Group for General Professions & Mental Health Professionals & Trainees (free, 1x monthly, every 3rd Thurs): link

Dr. Mengchun (Meng) Chiang (she/her/hers) is a Taiwanese American psychologist, currently serving as the Assistant Director of Training at the Counseling and Psychological Services at Carnegie Mellon University. Meng is the founder of CHI Psychological Services. Meng’s professional interests include trauma-informed and social justice oriented psychodynamic psychotherapy, and community organizing to address mental health disparity for BIPOC. Meng is passionate about training the next generation of clinicians. In her free time, Meng enjoys traveling, grocery shopping, loving-kindness meditation, and (playing and listening to) music.

Society Panel

Far too often, the Asian American diaspora is seen as a monolith that is doing “well” across measures of “success” – our challenges are diminished. Our final panel will feature panelists discussing the pressures of existing and persevering in a Eurocentric society, while trying to create space for our communities.

russell
Russell Jeung, PhD
Professor of Asian American Studies and Co-Founder of Stop AAPI Hate
Dr. Helen Hsu
Clinical Psychologist
Emma Broyles
Miss America 2022
Jason Chu
Rapper, Activist, Educator
Facilitator
Dr. Jeannie Celestial
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Author & Consultant
Learn More

Society Panel

Professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University, Dr. Russell Jeung is an author of books and articles on race and religion. In March 2020, Dr. Jeung co-founded Stop AAPI Hate with Chinese for Affirmative Action and the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council. It tracks incidents of COVID-19 discrimination to develop policy interventions and long-term solutions to racism.

Dr. Hsu is Past President of the Asian American Psychological Association, Director of Outreach at Stanford University Counseling & Psychological Services and Founder of Hella Mental Health. She is President-elect of the American Psychological Association Div. 45- Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race.

Emma Broyles is from Anchorage, Alaska, and currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona to continue her studies in biomedical sciences and vocal performance at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University. Having dermatillomania and acne herself along with a strong passion for helping others, she chose to study biomedical sciences as a preliminary degree to medical school with the goal of becoming a dermatologist.

Not only is Emma the 100th Anniversary Miss America, she represents the Korean-American community as the first Korean-American to earn the job of Miss America. Emma has earned over $110,000 in scholarships as a local candidate, Miss Alaska's Outstanding Teen, Miss Alaska, and Miss America to further her educational goals.

In addition to her social impact initiative, Building Community through Special Olympics, Emma also speaks of having ADHD, which she calls her "super power."

Growing up as a suburban Chinese American kid, jason chu found a vocabulary for racial identity and liberation in rap music and hip hop culture. As a rapper, educator, and activist, he now tours extensively, bringing a social and historical consciousness to stages and classrooms nationally and globally.

jason is a 2022 Artists at Work Fellow at the Japanese American National Museum. His work has recently been presented on the National Mall in Washington DC, curated by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and heard on Warrior (HBO Max), Tetris Beat (Apple Arcade), and Snowpiercer (TNT).

Jeannie E. Celestial, Ph.D., M.S.W. (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of a psychotherapy and consulting practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. She integrates somatic, brain-based, and culturally-rooted approaches to treat trauma and facilitate radical holistic wellness, specializing in Filipinx and global majority communities. She is one of the authors and editors of “Clinical Interventions for Internalized Oppression,” launching June 6th from Cognella Academic Publishing, co-sponsored by the American Psychological Association Division 45. She can be reached at drcelestial.com.

Additional Resources:

      • Limited Scholarships Available
      • Free Reflection Sheet on Model Minority Myth: https://forms.gle/KXMcAjHH3Ffw8z1x7

Featuring

Linda Thai
Meditation Specialist
John Dorris
Performer
Jason Chu
Performer
Learn More

Featuring

 
Linda is a former child refugee who fled Vietnam with her parents as part of the Vietnamese Boat People exodus. She was raised in Australia and now lives in interior Alaska where she specializes in the healing of developmental and intergenerational aftermath of the historical trauma of forced displacement.

John Dorris aka "AppleJohn" is a Filipino American, full-time technology consultant in Atlanta, GA, and part-time musician and CTO at AMHC. He has been playing guitar for over 15 years and has more recently made his way into performing more publicly. His band, StillAuthenticallyJustToma was started 3 years ago and has played 5 shows to date. John also has a YouTube channel where he posts covers and performances of his original songs. Professionally, he is looking to make a career change from consulting to mental health by starting a graduate education in clinical mental health counseling this fall. Mental healthcare and music are very important to John and he looks for the intersection of those two in his life and his work.

Growing up as a suburban Chinese American kid, jason chu found a vocabulary for racial identity and liberation in rap music and hip hop culture. As a rapper, educator, and activist, he now tours extensively, bringing a social and historical consciousness to stages and classrooms nationally and globally.

jason is a 2022 Artists at Work Fellow at the Japanese American National Museum. His work has recently been presented on the National Mall in Washington DC, curated by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and heard on Warrior (HBO Max), Tetris Beat (Apple Arcade), and Snowpiercer (TNT).

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Thank you for participating in TransformAsian 2021!

more details

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About Asian Mental Health Collective

 
Asian Mental Health Collective (AMHC) is a volunteer-run nonprofit that aims to normalize and destigmatize mental health within Asian communities by making mental health conversations and treatment available, accessible, and approachable. Our services and programs support our mission by providing individuals with opportunities to:
  • Connect with their inner selves
  • Create supportive and empathetic communities
  • Collaborate with mental health professionals and organizations
  • Celebrate their Asian mental health stories
To learn more, visit us at www.asianmhc.org
Shop the AMHC Merch Store here!

TranformAsian 2024

Nominate Speakers for Next Year!

We are thrilled to announce that the Asian Mental Health Collective (AMHC) and Asian Mental Health Project (AMHP) are collaborating for Transformasian 2024.

Since 2021, we’ve connected thousands of individuals around the world on their mental health journeys. The name “TransformAsian” alludes to transformations, and our belief in the power of change and the importance of celebrating joyful healing and recovery.

We are by the community and for our community. For this year’s conference, inspired and adapted by SXSW panelpicker, AMHCxAMHP would like to create and decide on programming for our 2024 TransformAsian based on what our community would like to see. We encourage you to submit speaking or programming proposals on topics related to Asian mental health and identity.

The proposal form will be open on October 7th and will close on October 28th at 11:59PM EST. For any questions, please contact Jocelyn Lai at jlai@asianmhc.org.

Submit your speaker proposal!

Past Speakers

Ranging from Asian community trailblazers, creatives, and mental health professionals, TransformAsian has created conversations across a plethora of unique perspectives.

Lisa Ling

Journalist and Author

Sahaj Kohli

Brown Girl Therapy

Russel Jeung, PhD

Professor of Asian American Studies and Co-Founder of Stop AAPI Hate

Michelle Zauner

Author, Crying in H Mart
Singer, Japanese Breakfast

Wesley Chan

Co-founder of Wong Fu Productions

Yin J. Li

Psychotherapist
Host of Asians Do Therapy

Check Out Previous Conferences!

We know wellness is a unique journey; AMHC has welcomed Olympians, singers, clinical therapists, community leaders, and more to speak at TransformAsian.

TransformAsian '21

TransformAsian '22

TransformAsian '23

About AMHC

The Asian Mental Health Collective is a non-profit normalizing and de-stigmatizing mental health within the Asian community.

Through a variety of community programs, mental health initiatives, and therapist directories, AMHC was founded to empower Asians to discover and claim their wellness. Our commitment to promoting mental well-being is at the core of everything we do. By providing valuable resources and support, AMHC strives to create a future where seeking help for mental health is a natural and celebrated part of Asian culture.

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