UCAWA Initiated Youth Mental Health Program
United Chinese Americans in Washington (UCAWA) is a newly formed chapter of UCA. Since founding the organization we have stared several programs including Youth Leadership & Government Internship Program. We have also initiated a conversation with Bellevue School Foundation and Bellevue School District to explore the possibility to work together in addressing the mental health issues that young students including Asian students are facing in today’s world.
Bellevue School District is ranked the best school district in Washington State with student population over 20,000. Among 20,000, there 45%+ Asian students, and 20%+ Chinese students. In the recent years the school has seen a big increase of reported mental health incidents and cases among its middle and high school students. According the data collected by the District there are average 40+ per week reported mental health related incidents and cases in its students population. Many of us found the number astonishing since Bellevue School District is situated in a predominantly higher middle-class city. But we believe this is the new reality that the schools and the school district are facing in our state, and other states in the US as well.
After many email exchanges, discussions and meetings, now the leaders of BSF and BSD have made administrative decision to collaborate with UCA/UCAWA to do a series of youth mental health lectures and events. Detailed plan and timelines are still being worked on. We are so glad that we will have an opportunity to help and support the effort of Bellevue School District in addressing the youth mental health issue and make our contribution. For the past two month we have received abundant help from UCA and UCA Illinois Chapter that has provided valuable information, resource materials and expertise. We look forward to joining force with UCA, Illinois Chapter and other experts in the fields to make the program happen, and make this pilot project a success.
— UCAWA
