Governor Proclaims Asian American, Native Hawaiian, And Pacific Islander Mental Health Day

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, And Pacific Islander Mental Health Day

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are among the fastest growing and most diverse racial groups in the United States. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made remarkable economic, political, and social contributions to our state and have grown by 66.84 percent in North Carolina since 2010; and

Whereas, approximately 23 percent of Americans experience and are diagnosed with a mental health condition in a given year, impacting all communities regardless of race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender among other factors; and

Whereas, in this country, there is a critical need to raise awareness about mental health, particularly among people of Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander descent, to destigmatize seeking help, and to gain access to culturally and linguistically competent community services; and

Whereas, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders use mental health services at the lowest rates among ethnic populations, with potential drivers being the substantial stigma that exists among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander communities, and cultural and linguistic needs; and

Whereas, there is a critical need to raise awareness about and advocate for policies that increase the accessibility of mental health services; and

Whereas, raising awareness about the mental health of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander North Carolinians, past and present, encourages professional interest in health and human services careers and fosters a diversified workforce that reflects the people it serves;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 10, 2025, as “Asian American, Native Hawaiian, And Pacific Islander Mental Health Day” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this sixth day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.