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REDEFINE

THRIVE

Youth Mental Health Leadership Programs

2026-2027 Applications Open!

Get Involved as a Student or Mentor

Apply by Sept 20!

2026-2027 Applications Open! • Get Involved as a Student or Mentor • Apply by Sept 20! •

Mission

Redefine

THRIVE

Thriving Asians is dedicated to uplifting the mental health, leadership, and holistic success of Asians across the diaspora. 

Core Messaging

Asian Mental
Health Matters

Mental Health Creates

a Foundation to Thrive

Self-Care is Essential
for Holistic Success

Culture & Community
Supports Mental Health

We Hold Power as
Leaders & Role Models

We Can Shape Mentally Healthier
Families, Communities
& Next Generation

2026-2027 Youth Mental Health Leadership Programs

Join a supportive community of next-generation Asian leaders uplifting mental health & wellbeing.

Applications due September 20!

Jaisohn Center AAPI Youth & Family Mental Wellness Forum

AAPI Youth & Family Mental Wellness Forum: Bridging Cultures, Strengthening Relationships

The Jaisohn Center AAPI Coalition gathered together PA youth, families, community leaders, and mental health professionals for the inaugural Youth & Family Mental Wellness Forum.

The event featured Thriving Asians Executive Director Michelle G. Garcia leading a keynote address on “Redefining Mental Health: A Foundation for Success for AANHPI Youth, Families & Community,” and Youth Network Coordinator Iris Liu facilitating the “Youth Mental Health Leadership” workshop.

Achieving Whole Health
for Asian Young Leaders

AANHPI Young Leaders Achieving Whole Health

Thriving Asians Youth Mental Health Leadership Programs concluded the 2025-2026 cycle with the Achieving Whole Health Program in celebration of “self-care summer.”

The program, hosted in collaboration with NAAPIMHA’s Summer Youth Leadership Series, trained high performing teens and young adults in culturally grounded strategies for self-care and community care.

Offered after the academic year-long Youth Mental Health Leadership training, the summer program provided space for students to recenter their own health & wellbeing, and renew motivation towards their holistic goals.

Congratulations, AWH Young Leaders!

Sponsor Spotlight

Meet TA Sponsor & Community Champion, Mitty Mau!

Mitty Mau is an AANHPI family-owned clothing brand advocating for wellbeing.  Founder Liang Xu (also a TA Mentor) was inspired by her family’s mental health journey. Mitty Mau’s cat-themed design comforts the body, while supporting the heart. Their proceeds support community mental health initiatives, including the 2026-2027 TA Youth Mental Health Leadership Programs.

Career Pathways for the Youth Mental Health Leader

A “Career Day” for Asian Mental Health

Thriving Asians hosted the Youth Mental Health Leadership Programs’ inaugural Career Day. The session served to cultivate professional interest in the mental health field among next generation AANHPI leaders; and highlight the many interdisciplinary pathways (clinical & non-clinical) to make positive impacts in AANHPI community mental health.

Speakers shared stories of pursuing the mental health professions, and maintaining resiliency amid pressure & uncertainty. Students had the chance for “real talk” with professionals on navigating parental/family pressure, overcoming imposter syndrome, and making your own path to success.

Legislative Advocacy:
AANHPI Mental Health Day 2026

Thriving Asians is proud to spearhead the second consecutive Proclamation of AANHPI Mental Health Day in New York State in partnership with the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) and South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA).

Cold Tea Collective Feature:
National Mentoring Month

Building Strength in AANHPI Communities Through Mentorship Programs

Cold Tea Collective’s National Mentoring Month spotlight features Thriving Asians for actively cultivating leadership, care, and access across generations and identities within AANHPI communities.

The Youth Mental Health Leadership Programs are highlighted as AANHPI identity-based mentorship programs where youth are supported in their leadership growth and in envisioning future pathways in mental health and community care.

Check out the full story to learn how mentorship takes AANHPI communities from surviving to collective thriving.

The World Feature:
Helping Teens Handle College Stress

A New Way to Help Asian American Teens Handle College Admissions Stresses

The World features Thriving Asians and SPEAK’s pilot Young Visionaries in Wellness & Leadership Program as a solution for helping AANHPI teenagers struggling with school-related pressure.

Young Visionaries and Ambassadors share their insights to the pressures faced by AANHPI students, and their peer-led implementation projects that break stigma and promote wellbeing in their communities.

Check out the full article and public radio feature by Heidi Shin to learn how history shaped the pressures felt by AANHPIs, and the creative community solutions driving change.

United Nations Youth
Association of the Philippines

Philippine Ambassador Leads UNYAP Localization of SDG 3: “Good Health & Wellbeing”

Thriving Asians proudly endorsed Senior Ambassador Trisha Ann Apio as she represented mental health interests at the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines 1st Convention on SDG Localization.

At the Legazpi City convention, Trisha advocated for youth leadership in implementing UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) - highlighting SDG 3 Good Health & Wellbeing; and interweaving SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17 Partnership for the Goals.

In her election speech, Trisha emphasized "leadership becomes meaningful when it changes lives,” and shared her journey of anchoring each of her leadership initiatives in SDGs. Now UNYAP Officer of the Visayas Region, Trisha continues to elevate mental health leadership on a national & global platform.

Youth Mental Health Leadership:
2025-2026 Students

Welcome 2025-2026 Youth Mental Health Leaders & Mentors!

Our most diverse cohort yet, this year’s community gathers 30+ students and mentors - from across 13 states and 3 countries.

Meet the Students that are spearheading Asian mental health leadership in their communities

Youth Mental Health Leadership: 2025 Highlights

Philippine Consulate General in NY: Evening with Distinguished Women

Founder Michelle G. Garcia Honored as a Distinguished Filipino American Woman in Mental Health

Founder & Director Michelle G. Garcia is honored at the Philippine Consulate General in NY Annual Evening with Distinguished Women.

The 2025 event focused recognized Ms. Garcia and fellow honorees for exemplary achievements in the mental health field, and for serving as inspirations for the Filipino American community and Filipino women worldwide.

As honoree & speaker, Ms. Garcia used the global platform to elevate Filipino youth mental health voices, and highlight shared mental health experiences of kababayan across the diaspora.

Event Highlights

Impact

🎉 Celebrating 5 Years

Founded in 2019, Thriving Asians grew from a “passion project” to an organization with a global reach.

We’ve made major strides in our first few years - running on part-time efforts of the Founder, dedicated volunteers, and community collaborators; and operating fully self-funded.

We’re proud to share our impact so far!

At a Glance

Testimonials

  What are people saying  

about Thriving Asians?

“The ideal amount of engagement. I loved the way it felt like a lecture in the sense that I could learn, but still allowed for so much participation. I had time to express myself and make connections through all the discussions and activities”

“The insight to Asian American mental health specifically! I've attended mental health workshops and Asian/BIPOC events before, but this was the most meaningful to me. Favorite workshop ever!”

“It was surreal seeing my mental health experiences as an Asian American represented on the screen. I had never seen my stressors put into words or taught in a class before.”

“The ideal amount of engagement. I loved the way it felt like a lecture in the sense that I could learn, but still allowed for so much participation. I had time to express myself and make connections through all the discussions and activities” “The insight to Asian American mental health specifically! I've attended mental health workshops and Asian/BIPOC events before, but this was the most meaningful to me. Favorite workshop ever!” “It was surreal seeing my mental health experiences as an Asian American represented on the screen. I had never seen my stressors put into words or taught in a class before.”

“The feeling of camaraderie. Hearing other people's experiences and realizing that we are quite similar made us all feel safe in this community”

“Michelle brought her voice, wisdom, and passion! It is crucial yet rare for mental health education and advocacy to be done in the context of community. She did exactly that”

“Intercultural & intergenerational communication strategies. This gave me the language for how to talk to my loved ones about mental health, and self-advocate in a way that conveys care (not frustration)”

“The feeling of camaraderie. Hearing other people's experiences and realizing that we are quite similar made us all feel safe in this community” “Michelle brought her voice, wisdom, and passion! It is crucial yet rare for mental health education and advocacy to be done in the context of community. She did exactly that” “Intercultural & intergenerational communication strategies. This gave me the language for how to talk to my loved ones about mental health, and self-advocate in a way that conveys care (not frustration)”

“The sense of empowerment! The session was emotionally heavy (in a good way), but leaving with that hopefulness helped keep this from being overwhelming”

“Finding ways our own culture IMPROVES mental health, not just focusing on the negative! Hearing everyone’s culturally relevant practices was heartwarming”

“Every detail was thoughtful and incorporated elements of AANHPI culture - even down to the food, drinks, board games, and karaoke!”

“The sense of empowerment! The session was emotionally heavy (in a good way), but leaving with that hopefulness helped keep this from being overwhelming” “Finding ways our own culture IMPROVES mental health, not just focusing on the negative! Hearing everyone’s culturally relevant practices was heartwarming” “Every detail was thoughtful and incorporated elements of AANHPI culture - even down to the food, drinks, board games, and karaoke!”

“Exploring the differences between Western mental health vs. Asian cultural values, but also finding new ways for those to co-exist”

“Finding common ground with family, and empathizing with my immigrant parents. I feel I understand them better after learning about intergenerational trauma. While our problems look different, we can agree they are all valid hardships, and we need to support each other regardless”

“The slides and talk were SO informative and relatable. They both reflected parts of my experience I already recognized, and articulated parts I am still working to grasp”

“Exploring the differences between Western mental health vs. Asian cultural values, but also finding new ways for those to co-exist” “Finding common ground with family, and empathizing with my immigrant parents. I feel I understand them better after learning about intergenerational trauma. While our problems look different, we can agree they are all valid hardships, and we need to support each other regardless” “The slides and talk were SO informative and relatable. They both reflected parts of my experience I already recognized, and articulated parts I am still working to grasp”