Online Program

Oral

This timely session examines the current understanding of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) mental health issues, where AAPI mental health disparity lies, and a paradigm addressing population-based and comprehensive prevention and treatment strategies. Using robust data the panel will discuss this orientation of AAPI mental health from descriptive, research, dissemination, and practice perspectives. Hochang Ben Lee, MD will set the stage of this session by presenting the areas of disparity in mental health and mental health service use among AAPI. Miyong Kim, PhD will offer a subgroup of AAPI, Korean Americans, as a case study in discussing the role of cultural and contextual factors in the manifestation of depressive symptoms. Keng-Yen Huang, PhD will describe a multistage framework for widespread dissemination of evidence-based strategies to promote the mental health of AAPI children in the school system and community based agencies. Albert Yeung, MD will discuss efforts to transform primary care practice for Asian ethnic immigrants by providing systematic depression screening and culturally sensitive psychiatric assessment. Accessible strategies that support population-based AAPI mental health promotion will be shared with symposium participants.

Session Objectives: 1) Identify the areas of disparity in AAPI mental health and mental health service use. 2) Discuss cultural and contextual experiences of depression among AAPI. 3) Discuss population approaches to advance AAPI children’s mental health. 4) Provide evidence-based information on treating Asian ethnic immigrants with depression in the primary care setting.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)