About Us
A Shared Culture of Care for the Asian Community
Asian Mental Health Collective was founded in 2020 by community members who have lived with mental illness, therapists, and advocates. It began with a viral Facebook group and in-person meetups for Asians to talk openly about their feelings. We broke barriers by creating the first and largest Asian therapist directory. We also hosted the first online Asian Mental Health Conference. Over the years, we’ve inspired tens of thousands of people to join the conversation.
While the organization has evolved, AMHC is still all about community. We build online spaces for folks looking to connect, share, and learn about the intersections of mental health and Asian identity.
We also know that, for most of us, Asian identity is complex. Though we’re all Asian in the diaspora, we have varied cultures, languages, backgrounds, and traditions. Our differences interweave to create a strong and diverse community.
We want mental health care that acknowledges and understands these identities, rather than erases them. We offer free therapy, support groups, and learning communities that do just that.
Whether you’re just beginning your mental health journey, or are well on your way, this space (and community) is for you.
Our Asian Community
We understand ‘Asian’ as a pan-ethnic identity that refers to individuals who identify as Asian and includes people with ancestry from Asia, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and West Asia (sometimes described as the “Middle East”). We acknowledge that Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians have historically been grouped along with Asians in the US, some of whom also identify as Asian. We also recognize those in our broader community who support us and who may need support as well.
Our Mission
Asian Mental Health Collective fosters healing, resilience and connection in Asian communities in the US through culturally-informed clinical services, virtual peer support spaces, and support for Asian mental health providers.
Our approaches to healing and connection for Asian communities in the US:
- We fund free, culturally informed therapy for Asians who need it. We believe cost shouldn’t prevent people from getting the care they need.
- We build virtual community spaces to foster connection and peer support around mental health.
- We cultivate connections between Asian mental health clinicians. Our goal is to fight isolation and build solidarity for therapists.
- We educate and build our community’s understanding of mental health issues. We do this through stories, digital content, and community dialogue.
Our Impact
Since our founding in 2020, our mission has evolved. We no longer focus solely on destigmatizing mental health, but also on cultivating a shared culture of care in the Asian community.
In 2024, we offered 2,500+ hours of free therapy, and 8 community support groups/processing spaces. That adds up to 51+ hours of community support. And our directory grew to 3,400+ Asian therapists throughout the U.S.
Learn more in our 2024 annual report or view our 2024 990 Tax Form.
Our Pillars
Driven by Community, Guided by Experts
From the beginning, we’ve been fueled by the ideas and passion of community members, and molded by the expertise and wisdom of licensed therapists—all united by a common mission to destigmatize mental health for Asian communities in the US and to make mental health resources accessible to all.
A Spectrum of Support
Between support groups, SAMH, Lotus Therapy Fund, the therapist directory, and content that’s both educational and inspirational, we offer a full spectrum of resources and support to meet the multitude of mental health needs within our increasingly diverse community.
Personal and Collective Wellbeing
While most members of our community come to us seeking support for their own mental health journey, we recognize that their personal wellbeing is connected to the wellbeing of all members of the Asian diaspora. Through community, we find ourselves.
A Celebration of Cultures
We aspire to build an AMHC community that’s as diverse and vibrant as the broader Asian diaspora community. In doing so, we acknowledge and celebrate the many cultures within—highlighting both our distinctiveness and what we share in common.
Standing in Solidarity
We value cultivating our relationships with one another and being in solidarity with other groups in our ecosystem. And while we serve Asians in the US writ large, we are guided by the needs of those most impacted by systems of injustice—recognizing our interdependence, and looking for ways to make a material impact.
Non-Discrimination
AMHC is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and respectful environment for all individuals. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, AMHC upholds the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all aspects of its operations, including but not limited to employment, programming, volunteer activities, and partnerships. You can read more here about our non-discrimination policy.
The Team
Ayesha Meer
Lauren Pongan
Lisa Cheng, LMSW
John Dorris, LCMHCA
Jocelyn Lai, PhD
Suzanna So, PhD, LP
Laura Luo
Michael Ge
James Wu
Christian De Luna, M.A.
Kaila S. Tang, LCSW
Linda Thai, LMSW
George Xiong, MA, LCPC, NCC, ADHD-CCSP
