New York: Asia Society’s first program on mental health will feature U.S. Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy and psychiatrist Dr Sue Varma, author of Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being. The conversation will be moderated by Vicky Nguyen, NBC News Senior Consumer Investigative Correspondent and NBC News NOW anchor.
Mental health within Asian communities remains highly stigmatized, but younger generations of Asian Americans are beginning to recognize the importance of mental health in building a life well lived. In this conversation with Dr Jenny Wang on May 14, nationally recognized psychologist and author on the intersections of mental health, Asian American identity and racial trauma, experts will explore the ways Asian and non-Asian communities can prioritize mental health, rewrite narratives that bind us, and move towards individual and collective freedom and agency.
The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community comprises almost 6 percent of the U.S. population, equating to nearly 20 million individuals. Statistical data emphasizes a troubling trend revealing an increase in serious mental illness among young AAPI individuals aged 18-25, and an urgent need to address mental health concerns within this multifaceted community.
