Supporting the designation of May 10, 2026, as "National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day".

119th Congress Introduced by Nanette Barragán and 27 co-sponsors

Designates May 10, 2026 as National AANHPI Mental Health Day and urges policies to improve culturally and linguistically appropriate access to mental health care.

Submitted in House

Summary of Bill: H.Res. 1260 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

This House resolution designates May 10, 2026, as “National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day.”

It aims to raise awareness about mental health within AANHPI communities, reduce stigma, and encourage improved access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health care.

Key provisions and changes

Formal designation: Recognizes May 10, 2026 as National AANHPI Mental Health Day.

Emphasis on mental health significance: Acknowledges the importance of mental health to the well-being of families and communities.

Awareness and care quality: Calls for increased awareness of mental health issues and improved quality of care for AANHPI individuals.

Cultural and linguistic heritage: States that celebrating cultural and linguistic heritage can benefit mental health.

Policy encouragement: Urges federal, state, and local health agencies to adopt laws, policies, and guidance to improve help-seeking and access to mental health services for AANHPI communities and other communities of color.

Who is affected

Primarily the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, including their mental health needs, access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care, and public awareness.

Federal, state, and local health agencies are encouraged to implement supportive policies and guidance; the resolution implicitly targets policy makers, health providers, and community organizations serving AANHPI populations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in the House on May 7, 2026, by Rep. Judy Chu (and cosponsors listed).

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for consideration.

As a resolution, it does not create new spending or mandatory programs by itself; it serves as a formal expression of recognition and a call to action for policy development and awareness efforts.

Contextual notes and rationale (as presented in the resolution)

The AANHPI population is diverse in socioeconomic status, language, culture, and migration history.

The community faces affordability challenges, with many citing healthcare costs as a major concern.

Mental health service utilization among AANHPIs is relatively low, and a substantial portion of those with mental health needs do not receive treatment.

Youth within AANHPI communities have experienced higher suicide rates among certain age groups, underscoring the need for disaggregated data, culturally appropriate interventions, and language-access improvements.

There is a stated need to increase the number of AANHPI providers and paraprofessionals, with ongoing training and support, to improve access and outcomes.

Addressing trauma from discrimination and violence, reducing stigma, and improving mental health literacy are highlighted as priorities.

Practical implications

The resolution signals congressional support for recognizing mental health as a critical issue for AANHPI communities and for pursuing policy avenues to enhance access and quality of care.

It may influence federal and local agencies to consider culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies in mental health programs and data collection.

Overall, H.Res. 1260 is a symbolic, commemorative measure intended to spotlight AANHPI mental health, promote awareness, and encourage policymakers to adopt supportive practices and policies to improve access to mental health care for these communities.