(Cleveland, OH) Asian Services in Action (ASIA) is hosting Gary Quan and James Chen for a book discussion and signing event on Monday, August 25th for their publication of Asian American Chronicles - Tales of Mental Health and Hope. The event will take place at the Midtown Collaboration Center located on 1974 E 66th St, Cleveland, OH 44103 and will run from 4PM to 6PM, including a book signing hour.
“We're honored to host Gary Quan and James Chen for a book signing and discussion on their book, Asian American Chronicles, A Tales of Mental Health and Hope,” says Harry Kamdar, CEO of ASIA. “This work is an important contribution to understanding the rich, diverse, and often challenging experiences of Asian Americans in their effort to assimilate in American society. We look forward to a meaningful discourse with community members, partners, and service providers here in Northeast Ohio."
Asian American Chronicles - Tales of Mental Health and Hope is a collection of essays from Asian American mental health professionals on various topics including grief, transitions, traumas, and cultural dynamics on mental health. Quan launched this project to shed light on Asian American perspectives and challenges in mental health as a diverse identity whose complex struggles are often overshadowed by the model minority myth.
“Thirty-five years ago, I clearly remembered in Ohio there were less than ten Asian mental health professionals, and I was, for a long time, the only licensed marriage and family therapist,” stated May Chen, co-founder of ASIA. “Those were challenging times as utilization and outreach barriers existed both in the Asian American communities and mainstream service delivery system. To date there remains much work still to be done to improve the Asian Pacific Islander mental health.”
Quan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over seventeen years of experience working to support a variety of couples, families, and groups across cultural and socioeconomic spectra in private practice, community mental health, Intensive Outpatient settings, acute psychiatric hospitals, and correctional settings. Gary also serves as Adjunct Faculty at the California Institute of Integral Studies, University of San Francisco, and Western Seminary. James Chen is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. He holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Western Seminary and certification in prepare/enrich assessment.
"Though there are a good amount of wonderful book offerings in the AAPI mental health space - particularly ones that address trauma - at the heart of this book and any associated discourse is an opportunity to embolden readers and audience members to make a step, or the first in a series of decisions, that helps them understand themselves better and get the support and assistance they need and deserve on their terms and timing,” said Quan. “Additionally, I offer Asian American Chronicles as a means to engage the reader earnestly and a) allow them to be seen and heard in the privacy of their home while b) providing a platform for myself and my up-and-coming colleagues to share their respective messages on AAPI mental health."
Registration is $30 per person and includes a complimentary signed copy of the book. Interested parties can register online as well as at the door pending space availability.
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ASIA is the largest health and human services agency that serves, supports, and advocates for the Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) community of Northeast Ohio. ASIA focuses on providing linguistically and culturally centered services for immigrants and refugees.
MEDIA CONTACT: Anna Chen
EMAIL: achen@asiaohio.org
PHONE: (330) 459-1173
