美国华人联盟心理健康组织 UCA WAVES 总第 23 期

Dear Friends, As the footsteps of Christmas and New Year draw nearer, we look back on another amazing year. It’s been a year of hard work and growth, and now it’s time to take a break and celebrate. Let’s give ourselves the gift of rest, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy the joy of the season.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey and making this holiday season truly magical!



On Dec 14th, UCA WAVES and NCAAT cohosted a hybrid workshop to address the mental health issues among Youth AAPI communities in Raleigh, NC.

The event aimed to create a safe and inclusive space for members of the AANHPI community to share their stories and experiences on mental health, especially after losing two young Asian Americans to suicides in the RTP area recently.

We were fortunate to have an incredible lineup of speakers who brought diverse perspectives and deep expertise in mental health and community engagement. Victor Armstrong, MSW, Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, delivered an inspiring opening speech. 

NC State Representative Maria Cervania and some other young professionals shared their invaluable work and experience in raising mental health awareness and achieving health equity among the AANHPI community......

冬季是季节性抑郁的高发季节，北卡三角区最近又刚刚因为自杀而失去了两条年轻的生命。由此，在12月14日，UCA WAVES携手NCAAT举办了一个关注亚裔青年精神健康的工作坊，希望可以在冬日为亚裔群体创造一个安全空间，分享他们关于精神健康的故事以及看法。工作坊有现场及线上分会场，在不同议题上，线上线下的观众们都积极参与了讨论。

活动邀请了在精神健康领域耕耘了多年的专家来参与，为大家分享了他们关于美国亚裔精神健康相关的经验——包括美国自杀预防基金会健康公平与参与副执行长Victor Armstrong，北卡州议员Maria Cervania，以及Jennifer Tu，Peggy Wang，Mary Shen，Pooja Mehta，Justin Zhang，Ana Sucaldito多位青年精神健康专家，临床医疗提供者，学者以及中学辅导员，他们分享了自己的工作、成长经历，也探讨了亚裔青少年精神健康的方方面面。了解更多→

Thanks to the support of the Julian Grace Foundation, eight members of the UCA WAVES Young Professional Council (WAVES Makers) not only organized an incredible educational workshop for the AANHPI community—working collaboratively both internally and externally—but also enjoyed a much-needed mini-retreat in Raleigh, NC. This marks hopefully the first of many WAVES Maker initiatives in the coming year, and we can’t wait to see how it will impact the next generation.

There was an instant sense of camaraderie and shared purpose that made our retreat more meaningful and our collaboration feel more authentic. The magic unfolds through authentic connections—whether it's over boba tea, southern BBQ, sharing the common experiences of growing up as Asian Americans in the U.S., discussing career paths, or dreaming about the future. Even more importantly, it’s about finding ways to support the younger generation in building connections professionally and personally, all while carving their own paths toward wellness and a sense of belonging. The energy was contagious and our hearts were full!

感谢Julian Grace基金会的支持，UCA WAVES青年弄潮儿（WAVES Makers）的八名成员不仅通力合作，为AANHPI社区组织了一场非常有意义的亚裔青少年精神健康研讨会，还同时在北卡州罗利开展了一个小型的团建活动。这是明年“WAVES弄潮儿”计划的第一个，我们迫不及待地想看看弄潮儿们将如何影响下一代。

在团建活动中，大家分享了自己在美国成长的经历，讨论各自的职业道路，还有对未来的梦想，彼此建立起联系的纽带，这种联结让每个人都感觉到了被深深的赋能，内心无比充实！

Rep. Cervania has played important roles in planning and crisis management during major events, including:

• The early HIV/AIDS epidemic
• The Chicago Heat Wave
• Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
• The H1N1 (Avian Flu) Pandemic
• The COVID-19 Pandemic

Her extensive experience and dedication to community well-being align perfectly with WAVES’ mission. We’re excited to have her leadership and insight as we work to create positive change.

我们非常高兴的宣布：北卡罗来纳州议员Maria Cervania将于1月加入我们的董事会，她是一位超级热情和善良的人，也是一位流行病学家和心理健康倡导者和生物统计学家。她将为我们的组织带来急需的非营利组织和政府项目管理、政策和公共卫生专业知识。

On Dec 13th-14th, UCA WAVES Youth Mental Health Collaborative Executive Director Jian (Lily) Chen was invited by Blue Cross NC Foundation to attend their Winter Convening, hosted by Shelia Reich, Director of Racial Equity and Healthy Communities, and her outstanding team. 

Reflecting on the experience, Lily shared:

"It was amazing learning from incredible change-makers, panelists, wellness coaches, and each other. We filled our cups with intentional and caring acts. I felt seen and heard as I shared the strengths and challenges of the #AANHPI community in #mentalhealth—and so deeply cared for❤️❤️."

We are proud to be part of this important dialogue and inspired to bring these insights back to our work.

12月13日至14日，UCA WAVES执行长陈健应蓝十字北卡罗莱纳州基金会的邀请，参加了由该基金会种族平等与健康社区主任Shelia Reich和她优秀的团队组织的冬季会议。

陈健说：“这是一场特别棒的会议，从现场和场外，见到了许多志同道合的社区变革者、小组成员、健康教练，大家互相学习、分享，彼此关怀，彼此鼓励，为自己充电，这种感觉真是好极了。”

“我不仅感到我们AANHPI社区的心理健康方面的优势和挑战被看到和听到，而且我自己也得到了很好的照顾❤️❤️。”

UCA WAVES is thrilled to partner with the Blue Cross NC Foundation's Nonprofit Internship

Program! This program offers paid ($5,780) summer internships to college students passionate about making a difference in their community.

Parents, please share this with your college students. This is an incredible opportunity to turn summer into a launchpad for their future!

Click here to learn more and apply!

UCA WAVES很荣幸收到蓝十字蓝盾北卡基金会的资助，提供在非营利组织实习的机会！该项目为渴望在社区中有所作为的大学生提供带薪（5,780美元）暑期实习机会。

家长们，请鼓励家里的大学生提交申请，这是一个难得的机会，让孩子的暑假过的更有意义！

点击这里了解更多并申请！

On Friday, November 22, Wake County Health and Human Services and UCA WAVES Youth Mental Health Collaborative co-hosted a listening session at the Cary Senior Center to discuss the health needs of the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community in Wake County — a group often underrepresented in healthcare discussions.

Twelve Wake County residents from diverse AAPI backgrounds participated, sharing valuable insights on how schools can lead efforts to address the mental health needs of young adults and children in the community. This conversation is a crucial step in ensuring all voices are heard and considered in health initiatives.

11月22日星期五，北卡州威克县卫生与人类服务部和UCA WAVES在北卡州凯瑞市老人中心共同举办了一场社区对话，讨论威克县AAPI（亚裔美国人和太平洋岛民）社区的健康需求。这一群体的医疗保健需求经常被忽视。

来自不同亚太裔社区的12位威克县居民参加了这次重要的对话，分享了宝贵的见解和观点，包括学校如何在解决年轻人和儿童的心理健康需求方面发挥重要作用等等。

亚裔美国人基金会（TAAF）发布了最新的研究报告——Beyond the Surface：了解AANHPI青年的心理健康，包含了许多令人难以置信的结果，这是同类研究中最全面的研究之一。

长期以来，AANHPI群体在很大程度上被排除在美国关于心理健康的讨论之外。TAAF认为，现在是时候打破对我们社区健康的普遍刻板印象，开始解决历史上投资不足和对年轻人挑战缺乏关注的问题。我们必须就AANHPI青年面临的独特斗争和压力展开公开、建设性的对话，这样我们才能找到一条共同治愈的道路。

WAVES执行长Lily Chen是该研究的社区咨询委员会成员，UCA WAVES在其资源列表上。

阅读了解更多→

TAAF revealed the eye-opening results of a new study—Beyond the Surface: Understanding Mental Health Among AANHPI Youth—one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind.

For too long, AANHPIs have largely been left out of the conversation on mental health in America. TAAF believes it is time to break through pervasive stereotypes about the perceived wellness of our community to begin addressing the historic underinvestment and lack of attention to the challenges of our young people. We must begin an open, constructive dialogue about the unique struggles and pressures AANHPI youth face so that we can find a path toward healing—together.

Our WAVES Executive Director Lily Chen is the study's Community Advisory Committee member and UCA WAVES is on its resource list. 

Read the full study at taaf.org/youthmentalhealth.

北卡州政府最近与一项名为“Somethings"的新项目开展合作，为儿童和青少年提供持续的心理健康支持。

“Somethings"是一个专门为13至19岁青少年建立的数字心理健康平台，将他们与经过认证的同伴专家导师联系起来，这些导师已经克服了类似的心理健康挑战，并接受了培训和认证，可以帮助青少年应对日常生活中的压力。

NC State officials recently partnered with a new service called "Somethings" to offer ongoing mental health support for kids and teens.

"Somethings" is a digital platform designed for teenagers ages 13 to 19. It connects them with certified peer specialist mentors who have overcome similar mental health challenges. These mentors are trained and certified to guide teens through the everyday stressors of life, providing valuable support along the way.

11月23日，WAVES Village小浪花义工团队举行了年终回顾和感恩分享网络会议。

在会议中，大家一起回顾了这一年来义工团队成长的过程，分享个人的感受。

参加了今年朋辈支持小组的义工们给与了这个活动很高的评价，一致认为在小组活动中汲取了能量，学习了知识，而且还和组员们建立了很深的联结。最后，大家一起观看了记录着义工团队这一年来点点滴滴日常互动、分享的视频，每个人都深受感动。

Congratulations to our WAVES Makers, Psychology Researcher, and passionate young advocate, Hannah Feng for being chosen as Fulbright Canada's "spokesperson"! Watch the Video →

Hannah is a recent University of Michigan graduate, Hannah double majored in Psychology and International Studies and is passionate about mental health accessibility. She has received a Fulbright Research Grant from Fulbright Canada to implement and study immigrant and refugee youth mental health support groups in Victoria, British Columbia!

恭喜我们的WAVES青年成员、心理学研究者和热情的年轻倡导者，Hannah Feng被选为加拿大Fulbright 国际基金的“代言人”！观看视频→

Hannah最近刚从密歇根大学毕业，主修心理学和国际研究双学位，对心理健康的可及性充满热情。她获得了加拿大Fulbright的研究基金，在不列颠哥伦比亚省维多利亚研究和建立移民和难民青年心理健康支持团体！

Copyright © 2023 UCA WAVES, All rights reserved.