Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity

MAY is AANHPI HERITAGE MONTH

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Month presents Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, a time to honor the diversity, lived experiences, and strength within AANHPI communities. This year’s theme, Interwoven Stories: Resilience and Representation, highlights both the richness of these communities and ongoing mental health disparities, along with the need for more inclusive, culturally responsive care. Throughout the month, CTAMFT’s DEI Committee is offering opportunities for reflection and engagement, including a film discussion of Everything Everywhere All at Once focused on identity and generational trauma, as well as a curated list of AANHPI mental health resources. Clinicians and clients are also encouraged to use film as a therapeutic activity by selecting relevant movies and engaging in guided discussions using reflection questions to explore themes such as identity, family dynamics, cultural belonging, intergenerational experiences, and resilience.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

How do characters balance their own needs with expectations from family or community?
What role does culture play in shaping the characters’ choices or identity?
How do power, privilege, or social status show up in the story?
What unspoken feelings seem to drive the characters’ behavior?
How do characters respond to change or uncertainty?
What does strength or resilience look like in this film?
If you could change one decision a character made, what would it be and why?
What message do you think the film is trying to communicate about identity, family, or belonging?

MOVIES

Everything Everywhere All at Once — Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert

The Farewell — Lulu Wang
Minari — Lee Isaac Chung
Turning Red — Domee Shi
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings — Destin Daniel Cretton
Crazy Rich Asians — Jon M. Chu
Moana — Ron Clements & John Musker
Next Goal Wins — Taika Waititi
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse — Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman

AANHPI Mental Health Resources Connecticut-Based

NAMI Connecticut – AANHPI Connection Support Group
Free, peer-led virtual support group for AANHPI individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Meets monthly and is open across New England. https://namict.org/event/nami-ct-asian-american-and-pacific-islander-connection-support-group/

NAMI Shoreline
Local NAMI affiliate offering AANHPI-focused programming, support groups, and broader mental health education and advocacy.
https://namishoreline.org/

Alliance for Prevention and Wellness
Serves South-Central Connecticut, including the New Haven and West Haven area. Provides community mental health promotion, prevention programming, and training. https://www.apw-ct.org/

AANHPI Mental Health Resources-National

National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) National organization offering training, policy and advocacy work, resource libraries, and culturally responsive mental health tools.
https://www.naapimha.org/

Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) – Mental Health Initiative. Focuses on reducing stigma, storytelling, and increasing mental health awareness within AANHPI communities.
https://www.apamsa.org/mental-health-initiative/

AANHPI Resilience Project- Provides culturally grounded mental health resources, research, and provider matching with a focus on equity and culturally responsive care.
https://www.aanhpiresilienceproject.org/

SPEAK (Supportive Place Empowering AANHPI & Kin) Community-based initiative offering culturally responsive mental health education and training.
https://www.giveinmay.org/organization/Speak