UCA WAVES

Youth Mental Health Collaborative

Wellness. Advocacy. Voices. Education. Support.

UCA WAVES Releases Landmark AAPI Study

After more than two years of community engagement, research, and collaboration, UCA WAVES is proud to share the Identifying AAPI Health Priorities in North Carolina Project Report.

Funded by the Blue Cross NC Foundation, this project brings together research and community voices to better understand the health needs, barriers, and lived experiences of diverse AAPI communities, including Chinese and Karen communities. The findings highlight community-identified priorities and help advance more culturally and linguistically responsive approaches to health and well-being.

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Check out our programs!

AANHPI Research

This project is designed to advance North Carolina-specific learnings about the health priorities of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and the kinds of strategies and systems changes that could be successful in promoting and improving the overall health and well-being of these communities.

Strong Minds

Our Strong Minds program offers 10 one-on-one sessions in a safe, confidential space with a trained Community Mental Health Worker. Participants learn simple, practical tools to manage stress, improve your mood, and support your overall well-being.

Silent War Film

Supported by WAVES, award-winning documentary filmmaker Professor Changfu Chang and his devoted team continued working on Silent War, a documentary showing real families' experiences, shedding light on the mental health crisis in the Asian American community. 

MHFA Training & Education Workshops

UCA WAVES conducts monthly Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training sessions to educate the community and boost their ability to prevent or handle crises. Additionally, we also host webinars and workshops designed to increase mental health literacy among our community and teach families the importance and practice of strong parent-child relationships.

WAVES Village

WAVES Village is a bilingual WeChat peer-support platform, part of UCA WAVES parent ambassador program. WAVES Village has a team of 50 volunteers serving the Chinese communities nationwide. We emphasize on listening nonjudgmentally and empowering through empathy with cultural considerations.

WAVES Makers

WAVES Makers are an indispensable part of UCA WAVES to elevate youth voices in UCA WAVES leadership and programming. WAVES Makers consist of high school students to young professionals with passion for community service and help elevate AANHPI youth voices. They provide peer support, education, outreach, communication, advocacy, and help connect and support the pipeline for the next generation of young AANHPI Americans.

WAVES Hosts Groundbreaking Conference for AAPI Youth Mental Health

Details

On September 27, 2025 WAVES brought together roughly 300 youth, families, clinicians, educators, and leaders at NC State’s McKimmon Center for a statewide AAPI Youth Mental Health Conference, centering data, stories, and cultural healing.

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WAVES at White House AANHPI Mental Health Convening

Details

In July of 2024, Lily Chen, Unite Chinese Americans (UCA) WAVES Executive Director, and Elaine Peng, Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities (MHACC) Executive Director, attended the White House AANHPI Mental Health Convening.

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National Chinese American Mental Health Summit at the 5th UCA Convention

Details

In June 2026, we successfully hosted the Community In Action Mental Health Summit at UCA's 5th Chinese American Convention in Las Vegas!

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