Healthy Mind Initiative (HMI)

Mental illness is a common health challenge in the United States. In minority populations, mental illness is often misunderstood and stigmatized. Stereotyped as the model minority, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are seen as academically gifted and successful. However, they often suffer with mental illness, with suicide being the leading cause of death for AAPI adolescents 12–19 years old.

The mission of the Healthy Mind Initiative (HMI) is to increase mental health awareness and promote suicide prevention in AAPI adolescents. Launched in 2018, HMI is a collaborative effort among the U.S. Public Health Service, federal and county government partners, and AAPI community organizations and leadership. It highlights the importance of mental health literacy by educating about mental illness, substance misuse, and suicide among AAPI youth, with a focus on prevention and early detection.

Page updated March 15, 2022