Statement In Response to the Atlanta Shootings
Mental Health America of California (MHAC) stands in solidarity with all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) against violence and racism. As a result of the shooting this week in Atlanta, innocent people are dead. At least six of them were Asian Americans.
Before these shootings, the 2020 Mental Health America screening data, gathered from 2.5 million total mental health screeners throughout the year, showed people who identify as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) were already disproportionately experienced increasing anxiety, depression, and suicidal thinking. The percentage of those screening for anxiety and depression who identified as AAPI increased from 10 percent of the screening population in 2019 to 17 percent in 2020. By the end of the year, the percentage of those AAPI screeners with moderate to severe anxiety was greater than 80 percent. Just prior to the pandemic, 79 percent of AAPI screeners were moderate-to-severe for depression – one of the lowest levels in recent years. But by the end of the year, the percentage had grown to more than 86 percent – among the highest.
Racism is a public health crisis. While standing against racism, MHAC continues to advocate for and advance policy that creates access to supports and services for people traumatized by racism.
#StopAsianHate #standtogether #YouAreNotAlone
In Solidarity,
Heidi L. Strunk, President & CEO
Please be informed of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander supports and services available across California. Click Here to Learn More
