US Federal House Bill HR385

US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/10/23
• Refer: 5/10/23
• Refer: 5/12/23

Caption

Supporting the designation of May 10, 2023, as "National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day".

Impact

If adopted, the resolution could lead to enhanced mental health services tailored to the unique needs of the AANHPI communities. It points out the low utilization rates of mental health services among Asian adults and emphasizes the importance of disaggregating population data to effectively understand and address specific mental health concerns within subpopulations. Furthermore, it encourages federal, state, and local health agencies to focus on improving help-seeking rates for mental health services among individuals in these communities.

Summary

House Resolution 385 seeks to establish May 10, 2023, as 'National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day.' This resolution emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness within the rapidly growing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. It recognizes that a significant percentage of individuals within these communities face mental health challenges but do not receive the necessary treatments or services. The resolution aims to highlight the cultural and linguistic factors that contribute to mental health issues and seeks to address these through improved care and awareness efforts.

Contention

While the resolution itself does not impose new laws or policies, it serves as an important recognition that can inspire legislative changes regarding mental health services. Recognizing a day dedicated to mental health within the AANHPI communities may raise awareness and prompt discussions on barriers to accessing mental health resources, including stigma and cultural misunderstandings. However, some may argue that declarations alone do not suffice to solve systemic issues within mental health care, pointing out that concrete actions and funding are necessary for a tangible impact on the communities involved.