Thread by @kevinnadal

A journalist friend informed me that a major national mental health organization provided a list of “Psychologists available to discuss Anti-Asian Racism and Violence”. It included many people who have mentored me or have been invaluable to @AAPAonline & #AsianAmericanPsychology.

Please follow all of these amazing Asian American Psychologists and their work: @seachellez @drmichifu @gnhall2 @HelenHsuPsyD @RichLeePhD @DrWillMingLiu @drpriscillalui @deraldwingsue @DrSherryCWang & Dr. Jenny Wang (IG: @ asiansformentalhealth)

Two weeks ago, I contacted the organization to let them know that I was concerned that their list included 9 East Asian Americans and 1 Filipina American and that it was not inclusive of the many South Asian and Southeast Asian American psychologists who are doing amazing work.

No one ever replied. And now again, I have to write an angry/ sad tweet to remind people that #BrownAsiansExist. It is especially concerning given that Brown Asians are targeted & killed by anti-Asian violence too. RIP #SatnamSingh #JuanitoFalcon #MohammadAnwar #AngeloQuinto

In New York City alone, two Filipino Americans were viciously attacked. Fortunately, both Vilma Kari & Noel Quintana survived. But now, the Filipino American community may be experiencing a racial trauma that is tied to a specific history of colonialism, war, violence, & racism.

Similarly, the murders of Satnam Singh & Mohammad Anwar are part of a specific history of racial violence towards South Asians, especially after 9/11. Religion, ethnicity, immigration status, shame, & other factors all contribute to how South Asians are managing these tragedies.

So, here’s an initial list for media folks on Asian American psychologists/experts who can speak about general Asian American experiences AND specific ethnic experiences. By no means a comprehensive list, I hope it is a start to representing diverse Asian American perspectives.

Let’s start with the fabulous Dr. Arpana Inman - pioneer in South Asian American psychology, former president of @APADivision17 and now Dean at @OhioState ehe.osu.edu/directory/?id=…

Some phenomenal Filipino American Psychologist Scholars include @doctordelprado @ejrdavid & @AlvinNAlvarez - all who study issues involving race and racism (including colonial mentality, enculturation, & discrimination). Here we are w/ 1st pinay @AAPAonline President @seachellez

Many amazing Filipina/x/o Americans on Twitter are members of @FilAmPsych & experts in #FilipinoAmericanPsychology @BunsoPaves_PhD @celestialphd @jan_estrellado @mmadore @StaceyDALitam
@DrClaireRB @nori_lim @Gabe_Corpus @alyssahufana
@louniversality
@JoyceJavierMD
@gr8tdesert

Some fierce South Asian American mental health experts on twitter include @NitaTewari @RaziaKosi1 @understandmind @DevikaSrivast14 @AliMattu @anneliesesingh @rahulsharmapsyd @DrNidaMirza @PoojaMamidanna. Many are/were leaders of @DoSAAonline & experts in #SouthAsian mental health

While we definitely need more Southeast Asian psychologists and mental health practitioners, there are several who are leading the way. Check out the team at Vanguard Mental Health & Wellness in Minnesota led by Dr. Alyssa Kaying Vang. vanguardmhclinic.com/about-us

Two Southeast Asian American researchers with excellent contributions to Asian American Psychology are Dr. Nellie Tran at @SDSU and Dr. Serge Lee at @sacstate! @Nellie_Tran is also the first Southeast Asian American Vice President of @AAPAonline!

With #APIAHM around the corner, & with the anti-Asian violence targeting our entire community, I hope people do better. 55% of the #AsianAmerican population is Filipino, South Asian, or South East Asian. As @ejrdavid says, we just want fairness & equity psychologytoday.com/us/blog/unseen…