Us Congress House Bill HR1217

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/10/24
• Refer: 5/10/24

Caption

Supporting the designation of May 10, 2024, as "National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day".

Impact

If passed, this resolution will help facilitate discussions and initiatives aimed at improving mental health services for AANHPIs. Given that this community has historically low rates of mental health service utilization, with figures suggesting that approximately 63.7 percent of AANHPIs meeting mental health criteria do not receive treatment, the resolution seeks to address these disparities. Furthermore, it highlights the high suicide rates among AANHPI youth as a pressing concern that requires targeted interventions and culturally competent care.

Summary

House Resolution 1217 supports the designation of May 10, 2024, as 'National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day.' The bill aims to raise awareness about mental health issues within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, which are among the fastest-growing demographics in the U.S. This resolution specifically emphasizes the significance of mental health literacy and the urgent need to cater to this population's unique cultural and linguistic needs to improve access to mental health services.

Contention

While the resolution is primarily supportive and aims to bring attention to a critical issue, there may be underlying debates regarding the effectiveness of designating specific days for awareness versus actionable policy changes. Critics might argue whether symbolic gestures like a designated mental health day truly translate to substantive improvements in care and accessibility for AANHPI communities, or whether more comprehensive structural reforms are necessary to achieve tangible advancements in mental health support.