It Takes A Village

Wow. It’s hard to put into words how powerful this weekend was. While we spent countless hours over half a year putting this conference together, I think the end result transcended our wildest dreams.

Roughly 300 people came together for Roots & Resilience: The Power of Data & Stories to Advance AAPI Youth Mental Health–youth, parents, clinicians, educators, policymakers, and community leaders all in one space. Together, we shared research and data that reveal urgent truths, while also honoring the lived experiences and stories that bring those truths to life.

What stood out most was the courage of our youth and families. Their voices reminded us why this work matters, that behind every statistic is a human being, with hopes, struggles, and resilience. The “I Wish” wall, the poster session, the wellness and cultural activities, and the youth panel all reflected a community ready to be seen and heard.

We also saw the power of collaboration: leaders across sectors joining forces, film and storytelling opening hearts, cultural traditions grounding us in healing, and professionals committing to new ways of showing up for AAPI youth mental health.
We left inspired, challenged, and deeply grateful for every speaker, volunteer, partner, and attendee who made it possible…and we can’t wait to share more. Stay tuned!

Special thanks to our amazing sponsors who made this event possible: North Carolina DHHS DMHDDSUD, BlueCross and BlueShield of North Carolina Foundation, The Asian American Foundation, Triangle Community Foundation, Julian Grace Foundation, United Chinese Americans Community Foundation, Chinese American Friendship Association, Blue Sails Counseling and Consulting, HealthLit4Wake and Alliance Health.

📸 Photo creds to the amazing Jianping Yang and Jan Xie!