Ultimately, my hope is that others feel less alone in their mental health struggles and that one day the act of seeking help for our mental health will no longer trigger a sense of shame or embarrassment. It explores themes of mental health within the lens of Asian immigrant communities. Most recently, I wrote a book, Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans, which is the first of its kind. I actively work with corporations and nonprofits to help them support their Asian colleagues through the rise of anti-Asian violence and to create cultures of safety and belonging for marginalized people. I developed one of the first Asian American therapist directories and hosted the first Asian American Pacific Islander mental health trainee scholarship. This is why I have spent my career working to normalize and destigmatize mental health in Asian communities. The stigmas of mental health within the Asian American community are so profound that many have struggled in silence for years. Asian Americans are 3 times less likely to seek mental health care as compared to their white counterparts. As an Asian American, my racial identity has been an integral part of my work. I decided to pursue my PhD in Clinical Psychology because I wanted to help others, but more importantly, I wanted to serve my community. I could not believe there was a career that allowed me to be with others in such spacious and transformative ways. A friend suggested that I take a Psychology 101 course in my junior year of college and my life was forever changed. However, I was deeply uninspired and unfulfilled in my business courses, as they lacked the interpersonal depth and nuance that I gravitated towards. One that my immigrant parents supported and understood. It was a practical and logical career path. I went to college to become an accountant. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today? Wang, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today.

Jenny t wang permission to come home