Washington D.C. – 7.25.2024 Kate Lu, LCSW-C, MSW, is the clinic director for CCACC Health Center. She is also a dedicated therapist and community organizer. REcently, she speak about her frontline experience addressing mental health disparities in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in the Greater Washington area.
As the Clinic Director of the CCACC Health Center and a passionate advocate for culturally responsive mental health services, Kate Lu has worked extensively to bridge the gap between AAPI individuals and accessible, linguistically appropriate behavioral health care. At the conference, she shared her insights on the urgent mental health needs of Asian American communities, particularly those affected by Hepatitis B and other chronic illnesses, which often compound psychological distress.
Addressing Barriers to Mental Health Care in AAPI Communities
During her remarks, Kate highlighted the unique mental health challenges faced by AAPI individuals, including:
✅ Cultural stigma surrounding mental health treatment
✅ Language barriers that limit access to care
✅ Lack of providers trained in culturally competent care
✅ Psychological stressors related to immigration, discrimination, and chronic disease burden
She emphasized how mental health is deeply intertwined with physical health and that individuals dealing with chronic Hepatitis B—a disproportionately high health issue in the AAPI community—often experience heightened anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
Expanding Access Through Community-Based Initiatives
Kate also discussed her role in leading Mental Health 360, an initiative she helped develop to provide culturally competent mental health education, early intervention, and direct support services. She explained how community-based mental health programs like those at the CCACC Health Center have successfully reached underserved AAPI individuals by:
✔ Offering bilingual therapy services
✔ Conducting mental health awareness campaigns in Asian community spaces
✔ Integrating mental health screenings into primary care visits
✔ Partnering with local faith-based and cultural organizations to reduce stigma
A Call to Action: Integrating Mental Health into Hepatitis B Care
Kate urged healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers to integrate mental health support into Hepatitis B treatment protocols, acknowledging that addressing emotional and psychological distress is essential to improving treatment adherence and overall well-being.
“In my work, I’ve seen firsthand how mental health concerns are often dismissed or misunderstood in AAPI families,” Kate stated. “If we truly want to address health disparities, we must treat mental health as an essential part of patient care—not an afterthought.”
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Collaboration and Advocacy
Kate’s participation at the Liver Alliance Conference reinforced the need for stronger collaboration between mental health professionals, healthcare providers, and community leaders to eliminate barriers and expand access to culturally appropriate behavioral health services.
As the event concluded, she expressed hope that more funding, policy support, and public awareness campaigns will help elevate the importance of mental health in AAPI healthcare initiatives.
For more information about Mental Health 360 or to support mental health services for AAPI communities, please contact kate.lu@ccacc-dc.org
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