This past weekend, Mind Therapy Clinic was honored to join the 7th Annual Bay Area Chuseok (Korean Harvest) Festival at the Presidio Main Parade Lawn: a vibrant community celebration of Korean culture, food, music, and connection hosted by Korean Center, Inc. The festival welcomed families, students, and neighbors across generations for a joyful day under the clear fall sky.
At our booth, our team connected with the Asian community who stopped by to talk about Asian American mental health, ask questions, and pick up resources. Many shared stories about young people juggling academic pressure, identity, and belonging – conversations that echo what we see in our clinics and in recent research on AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) youth.
Why show up at a cultural festival to talk about mental health? Because community spaces like Chuseok bring down walls. They make it easier to start real conversations about stress, stigma, and support right where families already gather.
Why this matters
- Nearly 1 in 2 AANHPI youth (48%) screen at or above moderate depression on a standard PHQ-9 measure; an indicator that usually warrants a treatment plan and follow-up.
- 93% report experiencing at least one race-based discriminatory incident in the past year, which the study links to negative mental health impact.
- For Asian American youth ages 15–24, suicide is the leading cause of death; a stark reminder that we must keep showing up, listening, and connecting young people to care.
At the same time, there are bright spots we can build on:
- Over half (53%) of AANHPI young people say they feel comfortable talking to their parents or caregivers about a tough time – showing that family conversations can be a powerful entry point.
- Youth consistently point to friends and community spaces as helpful supports – exactly the kind of connections that blossom at festivals like Chuseok.
(Data collected by The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) through the 2024 Beyond the Surface youth mental health report.)
What we shared
Throughout the day, we offered:
- Relevant information about what the main causes and issues are regarding mental health
- New treatments being offered for any young adult patients interested in our clinic
- Local and virtual referral pathways: clinicians, groups, and crisis resources
- A psychiatrist on site for anyone that wanted to have a conversation about their mental wellness
We also spotlighted how community wellness spaces – from cultural festivals to peer groups – rank among the most desired supports for young people, right alongside accessible, culturally knowledgeable professionals.
Keep the conversation going
If you or a young adult you love is navigating stress, identity pressures, or anxiety, we’re here. Mind Therapy Clinic provides culturally informed care for youth and families – including individual therapy, group programs, and care coordination tailored to your needs.