Palo Alto High School’s Associated Student Body is hosting a panel discussion to open intergenerational conversations about mental health within the Asian American student community from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., tomorrow in the campus Performing Arts Center.
A Paly ASB Instagram post said the event is in partnership with The Asian American Foundation and Third State Books. The panel will feature TAAF CEO Norman Chen, ABC7 reporter Dion Lim, Stanford Vaden Health Director of Counseling Dr. Bina Patel and Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan — with Palo Alto Mayor Greer Stone and Palo Alto Unified School District Board President Jesse Ladomirak giving the opening remarks.
Julian Hong, event organizer and ASB president, said Paly graduate (Class of 2006) and professional basketball player Jeremy Lin will be one of the opening speakers through a video message he sent in.
According to Hong, Asian Americans are uniquely affected by the growing youth mental health crisis.
“Asian Americans are 50 percent less likely than other ethnic groups to seek mental health services,” Hong said. “So we hope that by opening conversations within communities, we can help increase the number of families that are open to seeking professional help and help communities develop tools for dealing with Silicon Valley stress.”
Hong said the event will address pertinent issues in high school communities.
“In high-stress high school environments exacerbated by a rise in student suicides and gun violence in schools, we hope to have an honest conversation about how students, families, and communities can address mental health awareness gaps,” Hong said.
Samantha Fan, ASB board representative and senior, said she recognizes the importance of normalizing mental health services and seeking help for younger generations.
“It’s important for our generation to be open to seeking mental health help so that we break the generational cycle of people not seeking therapy or getting the help they need,” Fan said. “Opening this conversation will make it easier for everyone to get help, especially in Palo Alto where there’s more pressure on students. It can negatively impact the school environment and a student’s mental health.”
Leilani Chen, sophomore class vice president, said she looks forward to hearing from the panelists because the event validates students’ struggles and spreads awareness about mental health.
“I’m excited to meet the advocates,” Chen said. “Events like this can bring light to mental health issues in the AAPI community and we can end the stigma around mental health. This event means telling all AAPI students dealing with mental health, ‘You are seen and you are heard.’”
Hong said that over 100 community members have RSVP’d for the event, and he hopes that community members will continue to register.
“I’m incredibly excited to make a difference for the Asian American community of Palo Alto,” Hong said. “It would be incredible for the community to show up and make a collective effort to improve mental health in Palo Alto.”
To RSVP, visit palyasb.com or fill out the form here.
