Senate Introduces Bill to Combat Mental Health Stigma in AANHPI Communities

On May 8, 2025, the U.S. Senate introduced the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act of 2025, aimed at improving behavioral health among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. This legislation seeks to address significant mental health challenges faced by these populations, particularly the stigma surrounding mental health treatment.

The bill, introduced by Senators Mazie Hirono and Catherine Cortez Masto, amends the Public Health Service Act to create a national outreach and education strategy. The goal is to improve access to mental health services and increase awareness of mental health issues specific to the diverse AANHPI community.

Key findings highlight the urgent need for this initiative. AANHPI individuals represent one of the fastest-growing populations in the U.S., comprising over 70 distinct ethnicities and more than 100 languages. However, they exhibit the lowest rates of mental health service utilization among all racial and ethnic groups. In 2023, only 35% of Asian adults experiencing mental health challenges sought treatment in the previous year. Alarmingly, suicide is the leading cause of death for AANHPI youth aged 10 to 24, a demographic where suicide rates have surpassed those of any other racial or ethnic group.

The bill identifies systemic barriers that contribute to these disparities, including stigma and a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services. It emphasizes the need for targeted research to understand the unique experiences and needs of various AANHPI subpopulations. By disaggregating data, the legislation aims to develop tailored solutions that can effectively address these communities’ mental health issues.

To implement this outreach strategy, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with various health organizations, will devise a plan that meets the cultural and language preferences of AANHPI groups. The strategy will focus on increasing awareness of common mental health symptoms, providing accessible information about effective treatments, and fostering community engagement in the development of outreach materials.

The bill allocates $3 million annually from 2026 to 2030 for these outreach initiatives. Additionally, it mandates an annual report to Congress on the effectiveness of these efforts in raising awareness about mental health and substance use disorders within AANHPI populations.

Moreover, the act includes provisions for a systematic review of the behavioral health crisis among AANHPI youth. This review will assess the prevalence of mental health issues, substance misuse, and suicide attempts within this demographic, aiming to identify barriers to treatment and root causes of these challenges. A comprehensive report with actionable recommendations will be submitted within one year of the bill’s enactment.

The legislation also addresses the shortage of AANHPI behavioral health professionals. A systematic review will analyze strategies to increase the number of behavioral health workers from AANHPI backgrounds and explore barriers to their enrollment in educational programs. This review will produce a report detailing findings and recommendations for improving workforce diversity in mental health services.

The Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act of 2025 represents a crucial step towards addressing the mental health crisis affecting AANHPI communities. By tackling stigma, enhancing outreach, and supporting research, this bill aims to improve mental health outcomes and accessibility for these underserved populations.