The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, along with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services, hosted a summit July 20 focused on improving equity and access to behavioral health care for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.

The event brought together mental health professionals, federal policymakers, community organizations and leaders from President Joe Biden’s Cabinet to identify innovative solutions for the “unique behavioral health challenges” faced by these communities, according to an HHS news release.

“The well-being of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander individuals and families hold tremendous significance in our efforts to build a healthier nation,” Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra said in the release. “At HHS, we embrace cultural competency and are committed to making behavioral health services accessible to underserved communities.”

The event, which was held in honor of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, featured discussions on a range of topics including the impact of hate crimes, violence, racism and microaggressions; advancing equity and mental well-being; and leading with language, community and culture, according to the release.

The COVID-19 pandemic and anti-Asian prejudice had a significant negative impact on AA and NHPI communities, contributing to an increase in stress, anxiety, sadness and other mental health issues, the release stated. Federal statistics show that in 2020, suicide was the second most common cause of death among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders aged 20 to 34 and the first cause of death for those aged 10 to 19.

Asian Americans and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders are least likely to seek help with mental health concerns, the release stated.

“If we want to raise the bar in education, we must ensure our students feel safe, seen and supported while at school,” Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in the release. “Yet the pandemic led to troubling declines in mental health for all students, including our Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian students. I’m grateful to WHIAANHPI, SAMHSA and agency partners for centering this summit around what works in providing proactive mental health support for our students, including building capacity, growing the profession of school-based mental health services providers, and focusing on sustainability for the benefit of our youth.”

Summit participants discussed creative federal and local solutions for behavioral health problems Asian Americans and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders experience with experts in a variety of fields, the release stated. The president's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders recommended in May 2022 that the summit take place, the first AA and NHPI mental health summit ever held under the Biden-Harris administration.

The summit also supports Executive Order 14031, Advancing Equity, Justice and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, which aims to “improve health outcomes, eliminate health disparities and expand access to quality, affordable and culturally competent medical and mental healthcare services for AA and NHPI individuals and communities.”