Breaking Stigma, Bridging Generations: Mental Health in AANHPI Communities

Mental health in AANHPI communities is influenced by cultural, familial, and systemic factors that shape perceptions and access to care. This panel will address barriers such as stigma and the model minority myth while highlighting the importance of mental health awareness, intergenerational dialogue, and culturally sensitive support. Panelists will further explore informed approaches to support mental well-being while recognizing the diverse experiences within AANHPI communities.

Dr. Sheri Boyle, PhD, MSW

Professor

Pennsylvania Western University, California

APIAHF Board Member

MODERATOR

Dr. Boyle is a Professor of the Social Work Department at Pennsylvania Western University (California). Penn West is one of the 14 Pennsylvania State System Schools. She has been at the University for 14 years. She previously served as Department Chair, BSW Program Director and Field Coordinator. Dr. Boyle has taught undergraduate policy, research and graduate policy and special interests courses. Dr. Boyle’s research interest in include older adults and community attachment as well as diversity issues.

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Dr. Boyle was co-principal investigator for two Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants for the MSW Program. She has received funding for the Behavioral Health Workforce Development Grant and the Opioid Substance Misuse Workforce Development Grant. She is also an independent evaluator for two separate 21st Century Learning grants.

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Sheri’s previous work experience includes serving as an administrative aid to Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi in Washington, DC from 1988-1991. After receiving her MSW, she worked at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Sheri currently is on the Education Committee for the Adelphoi organization and served on Open Your Heart to a Senior in Greensburg, PA, and serves on the human resources subcommittee for the Blackburn Center in Greensburg. She is past President of the Blackburn Center Board and served on the Board of the American Red Cross in Westmoreland county

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Dr. Boyle received her BA in Political Science from UCLA, MSW from the University of Pennsylvania and Ph.D. in Social Work from Widener University.

Samira Khan, MPH

President

South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA)

Samira Khan, MPH (she/her) is President of the South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA), a national nonprofit dedicated to improving the health and well-being of South Asians in the U.S. through advocacy, collaboration, and communication, where she leads initiatives on mental health stigma, health misinformation, chronic disease, aging, and other South Asian health priorities. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA), contributing to national policy and advocacy to improve AANHPI mental health equity. In her role as Assistant Director of Research and Clinical Initiatives in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Samira oversees strategic initiatives to improve care delivery, directs clinical research operations, and drives quality improvement through data-informed decision-making. With over a decade of experience, she combines leadership in public health advocacy, national policy engagement, and research-driven program strategy to advance equity and improve outcomes for marginalized populations. She is passionate about addressing the social and political determinants of health and advancing culturally grounded, community-driven solutions.

Jennifer Mathis, JD

Deputy Director

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

Jennifer Mathis is Deputy Director of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.  She has worked at the Center since 1999 except for two periods of service in the federal government.  Between December 2021 and January 2025, Jennifer served as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, reviewing the work of the Disability Rights Section, the Special Litigation Section’s disability work, and the work of the Federal Coordination and Compliance Section and the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section. Prior to arriving at DOJ, Jennifer served as Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy at the Bazelon Center, using litigation as well as legislative and administrative policy advocacy to promote equal opportunity for people with disabilities in all areas of life, including community living, health care, housing, employment, education, parental and family rights, voting, and other areas.  Jennifer played a key role in coordinating strategy and briefing when the Olmstead case was heard by the Supreme Court and has litigated numerous community integration cases before and after.  She also served on the disability community negotiating team that worked with representatives of the business community to craft language that became the ADA Amendments Act and played a lead role in securing passage of the ADAAA. Between 2010 and 2011, Jennifer served as a Special Assistant to Commissioner Chai Feldblum at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, helping to draft regulations implementing the ADA Amendments Act and the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act.

Dr. Marielle A. Reataza, MD, MSHPL

Executive Director and CEO

National Asian Pacific American Families Allied for Substance Awareness and Harm Reduction (NAPAFASA)

Dr. Marielle A. Reataza, MD, MSHPL, has served the National Asian Pacific American Families Allied for Substance Awareness and Harm Reduction (NAPAFASA) as Executive Director and CEO since 2021. A Filipina-Chinese immigrant to the U.S., she grew up in Greater Los Angeles and has a background in education, medicine, research, health policy and law, and the arts. Dr. Reataza’s primary interests involve interdisciplinary analysis of the U.S. healthcare system and how health policy impacts health equity; social determinants of health and how they impact health outcomes and access to health & behavioral health services; and cultivating community joy, empowerment, and resilience through the arts. NAPAFASA is based in Alhambra, California. Dr. Reataza is based in Downtown Los Angeles.

Natalie Tuālemoso Ah Soon, MPH

Director of Community Engagement and Government Relations

Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc. (RAMS)

Natalie Tuālemoso Ah Soon is a visionary and systems-changer committed to advancing health and mental health equity. She is a bold thinker and strong proponent of collaborative culture to achieve optimal health and mental health outcomes across the lifespan and among all communities.  

Natalie is the Director of Community Engagement and Government Relations for Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc. (RAMS) where she leads strategic efforts to strengthen partnerships between RAMS, community stakeholders, public and private agencies, coalitions, and clients. With years of experience in mental health, public health, public policy, grassroots advocacy, and civic engagement, she’s built a strong reputation as a bridge-builder and advocate for equity and access. She oversees the development and implementation of initiatives that promote meaningful community involvement, cultivates relationships with local, state, and federal policy makers, ensuring RAMS’s mission, vision, and values are represented in policy discussions. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing legislative priorities, securing public and private funding, and elevating the assets and needs of vulnerable communities.

Natalie co-founded and co-chairs the Regional Pacific Islander Taskforce. This movement emerged out of a shared interest/passion to increase the visibility of Pacific Islander health needs and highlight their assets/strengths to address health and social disparities. RPITF is the current co-sponsor of the Language Access for All bill (AB1242).

Natalie holds a Master of Public Health from San Jose State University. She is a proud native of American Samoa and fluent in Samoan.