US Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced legislation co-sponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) to curb mental health stigma in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
The introduction of Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act is the first time legislation was introduced in both the House and Senate. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA) and Grace Napolitano (D-CA).
“Economic, cultural, and language barriers prevent too many members of the AANHPI community from accessing critical mental health care,” Sen. Hirono said, per MauiNow. “Establishing a community-informed national outreach and education strategy is critical to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health care in AANHPI communities.”
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported members of the AANHPI community have the lowest rates of mental health service utilization of any racial/ethnic group. Data from the SAMHSA showed only 25% of Asian adults with a mental health problem received treatment in 2021.
In 2021, an estimated 77% of the AANHPI community, who met the criteria for a mental health problem, did not receive the necessary treatment. Even more disturbing, the data shows even though suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, it is the leading cause of death for AANHPI ages 10 to 24. It is the only racial/ethnic group in this age category where suicide is the leading cause of death.
“As AANHPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month come to a close, I am glad to join Representatives Chu and Napolitano in introducing this bill to help more members of our community access culturally-competent mental health care,” Hirono said.
If signed into law, the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act would instruct the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to provide outreach and education strategies for the AANHPI community by partnering with local advocacy and behavioral health organizations that have an established record of serving AANHPI communities and ensure these strategies reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions and substance abuse. It would also conduct research and collect disaggregated data on the state of mental health among AANHPI youth and AANHPI providers within the behavioral health workforce.
“The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association, NAAPIMHA, is in strong support of the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act,” Dr. DJ Ida, executive director of The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association. “This bill provides critical investments towards reducing the stigma associated with mental health within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander communities.” Per MauiNow.
First elected to office in 2012, Hirono recently announced she plans to seek reelection next year.