Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI) 2025 Symposium
Healing During Uncertainty: Asian American Mental Health
Friday, May 2, 2025
CUNY Law School
AAARI’s 2025 symposium, co-organized with NYU Steinhardt, will explore the intersections of identity, culture, history, and systemic factors in shaping mental health experiences within Asian and Asian American communities. Centered around four key themes—Youth Mental Health, Identities and Belonging, Workplace Race-Based Trauma, and Intergenerational & Historical Trauma—the symposium seeks to address both longstanding and emerging challenges while equipping attendees with insights and practical strategies to advance mental health support.
Background
This event rekindles the spirit of AAARI’s pioneering 2004 conference on Asian American mental health, held two decades ago, and is a collaborative effort between NYU Steinhardt and AAARI. Building on that foundation, the 2025 symposium reaffirms a commitment to supporting the next generation of mental health professionals—students, trainees, and early-career practitioners—while fostering meaningful discussions on policy implications and systemic change. This gathering is not only an opportunity to reflect on past efforts but also a platform to pave the way for a more inclusive, informed, and culturally responsive approach to mental health—benefiting both current and future generations.
The City University of New York (CUNY) has a long history of efforts that engage Asian and Asian American studies and communities but these activities have rarely been sustained over time. Yet, despite an overall lack of institutionalization, CUNY has been the home to vibrant student activism and organizing, collaborative networks built of scholars and practitioners, and creative interventions made to support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students, staff, and faculty across the university and beyond.
A key aspect of this symposium is the commitment to bridging academic research, clinical practice, and community engagement to ensure that mental health interventions are culturally responsive and actionable. In collaboration with faculty and students from NYU Steinhardt Applied Psychology and LaGuardia Community College, addressing Asian American race-based trauma study exemplifies this approach, fostering partnerships with national and local community organizations to drive impact. Their efforts include professional development workshops, roundtable discussions, and panels that address racial trauma, culturally informed mental health care, and pathways for advocacy within Asian and Asian American communities. These events have brought together mental health practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders to collectively identify challenges and implement strategies that advance AAPI mental health across clinical, organizational, and policy levels.
Building on this shared mission, AAARI and NYU Steinhardt are thrilled to host this all-day symposium on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the CUNY School of Law. This event will provide an opportunity to reflect on past efforts, build connections, and collectively envision the future of Asian and Asian American studies and mental health advocacy in New York and beyond.
How to Submit
We invite students, scholars, and practitioners from both within and beyond CUNY to submit proposals that showcase innovative research, creative projects, pedagogical initiatives, community programs, and models for organizing and activism. Proposals may take the form of: individual presentations, themed panels, roundtable discussions, workshops, or other formats. The symposium planning committee has particular interest in proposals from cultural workers.
Potential topics surrounding AAPI identities include but are not limited to:
- Youth Mental Health: Addressing the mental health needs of Asian and Asian American youth, with particular attention to cultural expectations and identity development.
- Identities and Belonging: Exploring how diverse identities shape mental health experiences, resilience, and belonging within Asian and Asian American communities by navigating multiple identities, challenging stereotypes, and finding affirmation within their communities.
-
- LGBTQ+ Identities: Exploring the unique challenges and mental health resources available to LGBTQ+ individuals within the Asian and Asian American community.
- Workplace Race-Based Trauma: Examining the mental health impact of race-based trauma in the workplace, addressing microaggressions, systemic racism, and strategies for organizational change and individual resilience.
- Migration and Mental Health: Investigating the mental health impacts of migration, acculturation, and the challenges of navigating new environments.
-
- First Generation / 1.5 Generation Identities: Examining the unique mental health experiences of first-generation and 1.5-generation Asian and Asian Americans as they navigate dual cultural identities.
- Intergenerational Trauma: Delving into the mental health effects of trauma passed down through generations, including its cultural and familial implications.
- Historical Events and Their Impact: Analyzing the lasting mental health effects of historical events, such as Japanese American incarceration and anti-Asian hate incidents across the U.S.
Note: All presentations will take place in-person. Each breakout session is strongly encouraged to examine the policy implications of their work. For instance, what societal or systemic changes could help address the issues discussed in the session?
Please submit your proposal through this Google Form by Saturday, March 15, 2025.
Notifications of acceptance will be sent out by Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Questions? Please contact, info@aaari.info.
Symposium Committee (Full Bios)
Julie Azuma, John J. Chin, Payal Doctor, Haruka Kokaze, Lili Shi, Lisa Suzuki, Kyoko Toyama & Antony Wong
Co-Sponsors (In Formation)
Different Roads to Learning
LaGuardia Community College AAPI Heritage Month Committee
