HONOLULU – Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) received approximately $3.5 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to establish the Behavioral Health Center for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI). Excellence.

DOH will receive approximately $3.5 million in federal funding over the next five years. Centers of Excellence promote culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral problem information and practices. Establish a steering committee with participants from all over the country to identify emerging issues. Provides training, technical assistance, and consultation to practitioners, educators, and community organizations. Key partners include Papa Ola Lokahi and San Jose State University.

“Truly responsive behavioral health services must address stigma and provide resources to address cultural trauma and culture-based treatment,” said Marian Tsuji, deputy director of behavioral health. says. “We are leading this National Center of Excellence to bring together cultural practitioners, behavioral health professionals, and other stakeholders to meet the systematic behavioral health needs of diverse communities. We are proud to vouch for it.”

“Today’s announcement is an important step in the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to close the health disparities affecting AA and NHPI communities,” said the White House on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. said Krystal Kaai, executive director of the initiative. “This new center will provide access to culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral health services essential as our community continues to grapple with the impact of the pandemic and anti-Asian violence.”

The AANHPI are the fastest growing ethnic minority group in the country, but also the least likely to receive mental health care. More than 76% of his AANHPI patients diagnosed with mental illness and 93% of those with substance use disorders are untreated.

The AANHPI Center of Excellence develops infographics and other materials addressing behavioral health, including those that provide data disaggregated by race and ethnicity. Provides guidance on best practices for improving engagement and retention of AANHPI behavioral health professionals. Serving as an accessible and trusted clearinghouse for evidence-based behavioral health resources and products.

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PDF: DOH Awarded Federal Grant to Establish National AANHPI Behavioral Health Center of Excellence