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Description of Organization:
The mission of the Asian Health Coalition of Illinois (AHCI) is to improve the health and well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in Illinois through advocacy, technical assistance, health education and community-based research. AHCI was established in 1996 by AAPI community members and health care providers and received non-profit status in 1998.

Description of project:
The Asian Mental Health Partnership Initiative (AMHPI) aims to increase awareness among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders of mental health as an important aspect of personal and community health. In partnership with community organizations and providers of mental health services to Chicago’s city and metropolitan AAPI communities, the program will: 1) work with community organizations and mental health professionals to identify and prioritize mental health issues faced by AAPIs; 2) identify and reduce barriers to mental health care and services through education and dialogue; 3) create a resource directory for culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health care; 4) provide access to culturally relevant information resources on AAPI mental health issues; 5) enhance the capacity of community based organizations (CBO) to identify, develop and implement programs to address their priority mental health issues; 6) provide continuing education on mental health issues for CBO staff and community; 7) encourage AAPI youth to consider mental health professions through a health careers summer program, mentoring and internships. Our community partners include: Cambodian Association of Illinois, Chinese-American Service League, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, Hamdard Center, Korean-American Community Services, Lao-American Community Services, and Vietnamese Association of Illinois. Our mental health service provider partner is the Community Counseling Centers of Chicago.