Editor's note: Mental Health Musings (MHM) will focus on community resources and stories throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday night, eight people, including six Asian women, were killed during a mass shooting at three spas in the Atlanta metro area, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The shooting comes at a time when violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) increased across the nation and in New York.
Between March 2020 and February 2021, the nonprofit Stop AAPI Hate received 3,795 reports of hate incidents, according to a report released Tuesday.
Stop AAPI formed in 2020 to document incidents of racism towards Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
These incidents of race-based violence can lead to mental and emotional distress or Racial Trauma (sometimes called Race-Based Traumatic Stress) according to the nonprofit, Mental Health America.
Below are several mental and behavioral health resources for the AAPI community to help cope. This list is not exhaustive, if you know of any resources that should be added to this list please email me at Camalot.Todd@Charter.com
Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA): is an organization dedicated to helping mental health in Asian American communities through research, education, professional practice and policy founded in 1972. AAPA created a list of resources during the COVID-19 pandemic on everything from self-care to racism to caregiving and more.
National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association: the organization helps promote mental health and wellness for AAPI communities through resources, training, and awareness. It also has a directory of service providers across all 50 states including New York.
Asian Mental Health Collective: the organization helps raise awareness about mental health care, contains a list of Asian therapists both in the U.S. and in Canada and an organization directory.
Inclusive Therapists: A social justice movement and directory founded to expand mental and behavioral health care to all communities, founded by licensed therapist Melody Li. People interested can search for a therapist by insurance, specialties, identity and more.
Asians Do Therapy: is an organization dedicated to reducing stigma and increase access to therapy for AAPIs started by licensed therapist Yin J. Li. The site highlights how to navigate getting started finding a therapist, resources as well as sharing the stories of others in therapy. The podcast of the same name highlights different aspects of therapy with guests ranging from thriving with Bipolar Disorder to healing from racism.