Hirono Introduces Resolution Recognizing National AANHPI Mental Health Day

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced a resolution marking May 10, 2024 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day. The resolution recognizes the importance of mental health to the well-being of AANHPI families and communities and acknowledges the importance of raising awareness around mental health care.

“Suicide is the leading cause of death for AANHPI youth and in Hawaii, the rate of suicide for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders is nearly two times the national average,” said Senator Hirono. “These are tragic statistics, representing far too many lives lost too soon. As we mark AANHPI Heritage Month and AANHPI Mental Health Day, we reaffirm our commitment to improving access to mental health resources for AANHPI individuals and combatting stigmatizing narratives that prevent too many in our communities from utilizing those resources. I’m proud to introduce this resolution, which recognizes the importance of raising awareness around mental health care, and encourages health agencies to adopt policies to improve utilization of mental health services.”

May 10 has been recognized as AANHPI Mental Health Day since 2010. In the United States, AANHPIs have among the lowest rates of utilization of mental health services, and 63.7 percent of the estimated 2,600,000 AANHPIs who meet criteria for a mental health problem do not receive treatment. In recent years, suicide has been the leading cause of death for AANHPI youth ages 10 through 24 in the United States, and AANHPI youth are the only racial or ethnic group in this age category with this first leading cause of death.

The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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