Better Serving the Behavioral Health Needs of Asian Communities

Formed in 2006, The Asian Behavioral Health Task Force is comprised of community stakeholders, family members and persons in recovery, provider agencies and DBH/MRS staff. Meeting quarterly, the Task Force provides feedback and recommendations to enable Philadelphia's behavioral health system to better meet the needs of the city's diverse Asian communities.

Key policy recommendations have concluded:

• Focused outreach. Due to the diversity of the city's Asian-American population, increased and specialized community outreach is needed
• Connecting with constituents is key. Addressing the behavioral health needs of the community requires more than increasing programs and services; agencies and care providers must be more proactive in reaching out to Asian-American constituents
• Cultural stigmas an obstacle to seeking help. Behavioral health agencies must be particularly sensitive to the cultural stigma of mental illness in the Asian-American community and develop approach strategies that can overcome this barrier to accessing treatment.