Asian American / Pacific Islander Youth Initiative

The Asian American/Pacific Islander Youth Initiative originated in July 1999 from the National Summit on Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mental Health sponsored by the federal Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The purpose of this summit was to highlight the mental health needs and concerns of the AAPI population in the United States.

One of the action items generated by this summit of AAPI community leaders, health and mental health providers, consumers and family members, researchers, advocates, and policymakers was to examine the mental health concerns of AAPI youth from a public health perspective, highlighting promotion, prevention and intervention. This action item evolved into the AAPI Youth Initiative. The mission of this initiative is to promote the well-being of AAPI youth and their families and communities by increasing:

• knowledge concerning AAPI youth in mental health services;
• understanding of risk and resiliency factors for this population;
• knowledge of the intersection of cultural and developmental issues;
• networking and sharing of resources among AAPI stakeholders.