20220328-004c5: AAQoL Budget Recommendation to increase funding for Asian Pacific Islander (API) focused Mental Health Services. — original pdf

Recommendation

ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION #: 20220328-004c5 Date: March 28, 2022 Subject: Mental Health Services Motioned By: Fang Fang Seconded By: Vincent Cobalis MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DESCRIPTION The Commission would like to request continued or increased funding of existing Asian Pacific Islander (API) focused mental health services at $100,000 annually through APH’s Health Equity contracting portfolio. For the FY 2020 City Budget, the AAQoL Advisory Commission submitted a budget recommendation for mental health education, outreach, and service provision in the amount of $200,000. This item was funded in the FY 2020 Approved Budget along with a similar recommendation from the LGBTQIA+ Commission in the total amount of $200,000 ($100,000 each). This funding is ongoing. Data from the City’s Asian American Quality of Life Initiative (Quantitative Study) showed higher levels of mental distress and serious mental illness across all of Austin’s largest Asian American ethnic groups when compared to the general U.S. population. In addition, these groups also exhibited low utilization levels of psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals (counselors, marriage therapists, social workers). There is no additional cost related to this recommendation unless the City can fund the Commission’s full FY 2020 recommendation amount of $200,000, which would be an increase of $100,000 ongoing. DEPARTMENT APH ALIGNMENT WITH COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Health & Environment: Healthy conditions among individuals (absence of unhealthy conditions); Accessibility to quality health care services, both physical and mental. VOTE VOTE For: Kirk Yoshida, Fang Fang, Vince Cobalis, Hanna Huang, Sarah Chen, Azra Siddiqi, Meena Mutyala, Zahra Shakur Jamal-Hassan, and Kuo Yang. Against: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Pramod Patil, Pooja Sethi, and Salimah Shamsuddin. Attest: Jeremy Garza, Staff Liaison, Equity Office: x_______________________________