Oral

Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), especially first-generation immigrants, have lower utilization of mental health services and substance abuse treatment compared to Caucasians. AAPIs face many barriers to health care and mental health care. Greater understanding of AAPI mental health needs, treatment disparities, barriers to care and interventions that raise mental health awareness and destigmatize emotional problems are important to treating mental health illnesses and substance abuse, as well as improving quality of life for AAPIs.

Session Objectives: • Describe mental health needs and disparities in mental health and substance abuse services utilization among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). • Describe the role of family cohesion and generational status in the receipt of mental health services among Asian Americans. • Describe the impact of the Mental Health Services Act resources to local communities. • Discuss the proximal outcomes and lessons learned in using media as part of a community outreach program for mental health. • Discuss health disparities and barriers to health care for AAPI women who have sex with women (WSW).

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing