In May, we observe Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month—a time when we celebrate and reflect on the accomplishments and contributions of this richly diverse community in the United States. As part of our commitment to raising awareness and creating space for mental health equity, we celebrate and honor AANHPI mental health advocates– including the volunteers, staff, and donors here at Crisis Text Line.

The Shift from AAPI to AANHPI

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) is a term that has historically been used since the U.S. government first designated May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Month in 1990. More recently, the term AANHPI– Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander– has been used to specifically recognize Native Hawaiians within the larger AAPI population. While both terms still apply, both the U.S. government and The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) utilize AANHPI when referring to this community. 

The terms AANHPI and AAPI can also  be confused with APAC, an acronym for Asia-Pacific. APAC is a term used to describe a geographic region with a business or geopolitical context and refer to countries and territories located along the western pacific side including those in East Asia, Southwest Asia, and Oceania. In contrast, AANHPI and AAPI are terms that encompass groups of individuals that culturally identify as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and/or Pacific Islander.

Mental Health Advocacy within the AANHPI Community

Mental health stigma continues to be a widespread concern in the Asian American community. Conversations about emotional struggles can be met with silence or dismissal, reinforcing a pattern of facing these challenges in isolation. Crisis Text Line’s United in Empathy Report reveals that 42% of our texters, identifying as Asian, experienced significant stress and anxiety, and 31% battled with feelings of depression and sadness. Cultural values can often prioritize resilience and endurance, however this can unintentionally create barriers to seeking support for mental health.

At Crisis Text Line, we pride ourselves on the resources we’re able to provide to our texters. We partner with organizations like The Asian Mental Health Project (AMHP) to amplify these resources to texters to enable them to get the long-term help and support they need. AMHP aims to educate and empower Asian communities in seeking mental health care and removing the stigma that is often associated with it.

The voices and well-being of Asian Americans are important to us, and so Crisis Text Line acknowledges and celebrates AANHPI Heritage Month alongside this community. Help us continue to provide support to the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities for the month of May, and year-round.

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If you or a loved one ever need support – we are here for you. Text CONNECT to 741741 to reach a live, trained volunteer Crisis Counselor. Or if you are interested in changing or saving lives, join our volunteer community today.