September is Suicide Prevention Month! UCA WAVES is more committed than ever to fight the silent war of youth suicide in AAPI communities. Come join us for the full-length documentary “Silent War” and more.
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We're Less Than a Month Away from the Roots & Resilience Conference!
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Healing starts with community—are you joining us this September? Registration is now open for the 2025 AAPI Youth Mental Health Conference, taking place Saturday, September 27 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC. This year’s theme, Roots & Resilience: The Power of Data & Stories to Advance AAPI Youth Mental Health, calls us to explore how culture, lived experience, and research intersect to drive real change.
Expect an inspiring lineup of nationally recognized keynote speakers, including:
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Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW: Director of NC’s Division of Mental Health, leading statewide efforts to strengthen systems of care and break stigma.
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Justin Chen, MD, PHD: Vice Chair of Health Justice at Weill Cornell Medicine and Co-Founder of the MGH Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness.
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Howard Liu, MD, MBA: Chair of Psychiatry at UNMC, innovator in digital storytelling, and global advocate for mental health equity.
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Victor Armstrong, MSD: Senior VP at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and a champion for mental health equity.
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Gang (Julie) Xie, PhD: Licensed Educational Psychologist and Positive Psychology expert, closing the day with a Chinese-language family session.
Major highlight: The world premiere of Silent War, a new documentary confronting the AAPI mental health crisis, followed by a panel with the filmmakers and field experts! Additionally, We are working with Moses/Weitzman Health System and its Weitzman Institute to provide CME or CE credits specific to your health profession (or participation credits for those not covered by the available health profession credits) for the conference.
Take advantage of this opportunity to network and grow, professionally any personally. Want the full details? Tap the button below to visit our conference page.
| | Click on the images below to learn more about each speaker! | | The Power of Gathering: WAVES Volunteers Connect in North Carolina | | |
This August was made extra special when WAVES gathered in Cary, North Carolina for a special in-person meeting. The group came together for peer support, to plan for the upcoming conference, and connect with one another as a community.
Over a shared meal, people opened up and shared powerful stories. A parent opened up about their mental health struggles as a first-generation immigrant, reminding us of the courage it takes to be vulnerable. One volunteer reflected on their journey from feeling unqualified to lead, to recently using their Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to support a peer—an interaction where their listening and care were recognized as deeply impactful. Another WAVES member, Cissy, showed her dedication by driving four hours just to be with the WAVES family.
While we may be advocating online, attending events up and down the coast, and hosting virtual trainings, these intimate, in-person gatherings serve as a reminder of what WAVES is all about: strengthening our connections, inspiring growth in one another, and affirming that we are walking this journey together.
If you're looking to be a part of a moment like this, mark your calendar for our upcoming conference on Saturday, September 27th! Register for FREE at the link below!
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Kicing Back & Connecting: WAVES at Teen Summer Kickbacks
We kicked off August with outreach! WAVES joined the Wake County Teen Summer Kickbacks at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, hosted by Wake County Human Services.
Huge thanks to our WAVES teens and parents for tabling with us and spreading the word to destigmatize mental health. Biggest highlight? Chatting with high school students about our research and encouraging them to apply for a poster presentation at our upcoming conference.
It was a lovely day filled with learning and connection. There's nothing more inspiring than being in a room full of people dedicated to bettering the community.
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Silent War Selected to be Included In SVAPFF
Your well wishes worked! Earlier this month, we were notified that Silent War: Asian American Reckonings with Mental Health was selected to be included in the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest! This is another step closer towards breaking silences on the mental health crisis in the Asian American community, and we’re truly honored to have you along for that journey. Our deepest gratitude to SVAPFF!
We can’t wait for the world premiere at WAVES conference in September. Want to learn more about the film or watch the trailer? Click on the button below!
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WAVES Members' Corner: Silent War Interviewee Gets Married!
Last week was extra special for the Silent War team: Director Changfu Chang was invited to the wedding of one of the film’s main interviewees, Gurbinder. It was a touching reminder of the beautiful bonds that come out of documentary filmmaking.
When we think of who makes projects like these possible, our mind often first—and often only—goes to the production team. But without courageous voices like Gurbinder, there’d be no story to tell. So thank you, Gurbinder, for not only giving us a window into your life, but now an invitation to experience it with you. Here’s to many wonderful years ahead full of love and light!
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Research & Radiance: WAVES Members Attend Salon's Grand Opening, Outreach to Collect AAPI Health Priority
Earlier this month, WAVES research team members were honored to attend the grand opening of More Beautiful You, a new salon right here in North Carolina!
Collecting surveys for our AAPI Health Priority research through authentic community engagement while we uplift and learn from one another.
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MHFA Update and sign up
This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. Interested in learning more or looking to register? Click on the button below!
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WAVES Director to Present at APHA Conference
We’re thrilled to announce that our Executive Director has been selected to present at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting. The presentation, titled “Community Engaged Research in South Asian Karen Refugees: Data Driven Stories and Implication for Public Health Nursing,” will be part of the Public Health Nursing program. Catch the session PHNs as Researchers on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.
But it doesn't end there! Two student-led projects on AAPI health disparities, mentored by the UCA Data Center and UCA WAVES, have been accepted for presentation as well. Building on previous research, these projects examine racial disparities in health behaviors and outcomes within AAPI communities nationwide.
At WAVES, the desire to pursue knowledge and promote accessibility transcends generations!
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Reflecting on August: Spotlighting WAVES' Digital, Diverse Outreach
With back to school season here, August brought education and engagement to the forefront. It reminded us that mental health advocacy begins with consistent learning and open conversation. While WAVES is active in the community in-person, we’re determined to continue our mission online, too.
We bring this to life through three ongoing digital series: Modality Monday, which highlights different therapeutic approaches—such as DBT, EMDR, and Internal Family Systems—to expand understanding of healing options; Wellness Wednesday, which offers practical, evidence-based tips for everyday wellbeing and resilience; and Fast Facts, which breaks down timely mental health topics into five quick, memorable insights.
Together, these initiatives make mental health education more accessible and culturally informed, empowering our community with the knowledge and tools to support themselves and others. Because when we share information with care, we spark real change. What better way to take advantage of the digital age than to use it to create mental health discourse and care more accessible to everyone?
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View more of our events and programs,
please visit UCA WAVES Calendar↓
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