Bridging Cultures and Care: Honoring AAPI Heritage and Mental Health Awareness Month

Every May, two significant observances come together — Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage and Mental Health Awareness Months. However, for Pacific Clinics’ Asian Pacific Family Center (APFC), these observances aren’t just seasonal — they’re year-round themes that shape how we serve, support and adapt to address the needs of our diverse communities. 

Historically, stigma around mental health has created barriers for many AAPI individuals and families. However, the COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point. In a recent interview with Pacific Clinics’  Glenn Masuda, PhD, senior clinical director, he remarked, “There has been a significant change in stigma around mental health. For over 35 years, people wouldn’t talk or engage. Then COVID happened, and people started reaching out, not just for themselves but for their families.”  

A collectivist focus, or focusing on the group instead of just the individual, is an integral part of the AAPI culture. APFC has long adapted its outreach to meet this need. The center builds trust by framing mental health support in the context of family and community well-being and opens doors for meaningful engagement and treatment. They provide individual, group and family therapy and case management services in person, online, at school or in the community. They also offer community education and are committed to the prevention of substance use, child abuse and violence. 

While stigma remains, there is growing hope. Parents are asking for resources, students are asking questions and elders are taking pamphlets — for someone else or maybe just in case. These small steps represent a cultural shift that APFC is proud to nurture. 

This and every year, Pacific Clinics honors the richness of AAPI heritage and the courage of those taking the first steps toward healing.