API Community Forum for Mental Health

On Tuesday, May 22, 2012 The Cambodian Family participated in a Community Forum on Mental Health with other organizations and members from the Korean and Vietnamese Community in Orange County to learn about the report Pacific Clinics has gathered 2-years of data through focus groups, interviews, surveys, and meetings conducted statewide. The project is funded by CDRP (California Reducing Disparities Project).

After reviewing the API Report from Dr. Rocco Cheng and Dixie Galapon, the groups broke out and discussed the accuracy of the findings by sharing their personal experiences. For the Cambodian break out group, there was a diverse group of students, elders, residents, and community leaders. Together, we echoed some of the following barriers that the Cambodian community experience when seeking mental health related services:

language and culture barrier
losing face
lack of transportation
financial difficulties

Afterwards, the three break out groups regrouped and presented their findings. These are some common themes we saw across all three groups:

lack of bilingual and bicultural professionals, trained professionals, clergys, monks, family members, and all other key stakeholders
not enough services for all of the community needs
having transportation
employment services
saving face
comprehensive programs
community center to come and relax

Finally, Pacific Clinics provided closing remarks by mentioning that this is 1 of 8 community forums they will conduct throughout California. Pacific Clinics will present their findings and feedback to the State of CA in hopes to raise awareness about the needed resources and obtain grant money to support the various CBOs working on Mental Health.

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