Shifting Minds from Surviving to Thriving

Mission


Thriving Asians is dedicated to advancing mental health, leadership, and holistic success in Asian communities. Our initiatives lead the way in breaking cultural stigma by integrating Asian values & perspectives into empowering mental health messaging.

We promote messaging that mental health is a foundation for success, and a means to advance from surviving to thriving. We aim to equip Asian-identifying individuals with mental health literacy, and skills in self-care & supporting others. We aim to empower all Asians in recognizing their power as role models & leaders in their families & communities, and abilities to make transformational change by modeling mentally healthy language & behavior.

Thriving Asians works towards a vision in which our community members are empowered with the knowledge, skills & motivation to shape mentally healthier selves, families, communities, and future generations.

Messaging

Asian Mental Health Matters

Culture & Community Can Support Mental Health

Mental Health is a Foundation for Success

We Hold Power as Leaders & Role Models

Mental Health Empowers Families, Communities & the Next Generation

We Can Grow Beyond Survival - We Can Thrive

Meet the Founder

Michelle G. Garcia is a second-generation Filipina American who is passionate about supporting the mental health of Asian youth, families, and communities.

Michelle started her career in global education, health & human rights - working in education in Southeast Asia; refugee resettlement in New York; human rights programming in the Middle East; and justice, equity, diversity & inclusion programming in higher education.

Following work burnout and chronic trauma, Michelle had a serendipitous graduate school internship in the mental health field. She became a mental health trainer; and learned self-compassion, self-care, and stress management strategies that were transformative for her personal life and healing.

Since 2019, Michelle has worked as a consultant specializing in the intersection of mental health, culture, and leadership. She founded Thriving Asians to share mental health education, training, and resources that speak to the values & perspectives of Asian diaspora communities; and to strengthen the network of Asian mental health professionals & advocates.

 Our Work

  • Workshops for Youth

  • Workshops for Families

  • Trainings for Professionals

  • Wellness Coaching

  • Wellness Retreats


We’ve partnered with Asian & BIPOC community organizations, youth leadership programs, higher education institutions, corporate employee resource groups & more. See what people are saying about Thriving Asians

Testimonials

Impact

Founded in 2019, Thriving Asians is run by the part-time efforts of Founder & Director Michelle G. Garcia and dedicated volunteers.

1,500+ Community Members Reached

70%

Asian Communities

  • 24% - Filipino

    17% - Chinese

    11% - Korean

    10% - Vietnamese

    9% - Cambodian

    9% - Indian

    6% - Japanese

    3% - Native Hawaiian

    3% - Nepalese

    2% - Pakistani

    2% - Taiwanese

    2% - Lao

    2% - Bengali

    5% - Multiracial or Mixed Heritage

  • Filipinos are the top-reached ethnic group of Thriving Asians programs - reaching 24% of all program participants. Proudly Filipina-founded, Thriving Asians serves Filipinos in the US, Philippines, and across the diaspora

20%

BIPOC Communities

  • Our culturally-grounded programs have resonated across diverse communities - reaching members of Latinx, Black, Middle Eastern, Indigenous, and other communities.

10%

General Community

Participant Outcomes

95%

Participants learned about mental health in a culturally meaningful way

    • 74% - Strongly Agree

    • 21% - Agree

    • 5% - Neutral

    • 0% - Disagree

    • 0% - Strongly Disagree

95%

Participants felt their mental health experiences were represented & validated

    • 70% - Strongly Agree

    • 25% - Agree

    • 3% - Neutral

    • 2% - Disagree

    • 0% - Strongly Disagree

97%

Participants learned ways culture & community can support their mental health

    • 65% - Strongly Agree

    • 32% - Agree

    • 2% - Neutral

    • 1% - Disagree

    • 0% - Strongly Disagree

94%

Participants felt empowered to make positive mental health impacts for their families & communities

    • 62% - Strongly Agree

    • 32% - Agree

    • 6% - Neutral

    • 0% - Disagree

    • 0% - Strongly Disagree