PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Bella SoYoung Park, Bilingual Counselor at Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC)
1:09:43
·
142 sec
Bella SoYoung Park, representing the Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC), testifies in support of Introduction 1103, emphasizing the need for culturally competent mental health services for New York City's Asian communities. She highlights the unique challenges faced by Asian New Yorkers in accessing mental health care and calls for increased investment in Asian-led organizations.
- Stresses the importance of prioritizing cultural and linguistic needs of Asian New Yorkers in the implementation of Introduction 1103
- Highlights the unsustainable burden on Asian-led organizations providing mental health services without sufficient city funding
- Urges the city to collaborate with and invest in Asian-led, Asian-serving organizations to effectively address mental health disparities
Bella SoYoung Park
1:09:43
Good afternoon.
1:09:45
Good afternoon, Chair of the Committee and Council Members.
1:09:47
My name is Bella Soyoung Park, bilingual counselor at the Korean American Family Service Center where we serve immigrant survivors and victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
1:09:57
On behalf of KFSC, thank you for providing the opportunity to testify today as a member of the Asian American Federation's Asian American Mental Health Roundtable.
1:10:06
We're here to bring attention to the critical mental health needs of New York City's Pan Asian community as the city considers the passage of introduction 1103.
1:10:14
This bill has the potential to address long standing mental health disparities in our communities but only if the cultural and linguistic needs of Asian New Yorkers are intentionally prioritized throughout the implementation.
1:10:27
New York's Asian communities face unique mental health challenges and barriers to access in care due to stigma and cultural and language barriers.
1:10:36
Asian led, Asian serving organizations like KFSC and our roundtable partners are essential to breaking down these barriers and bridging the gap between underserved Asian New Yorkers through culturally and linguistically competent mental health services.
1:10:51
Yet, too often, these organizations are expected to shoulder the burden of providing care without sufficient investment from the city.
1:10:58
For example, many of our partners receive referrals from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene without receiving the necessary funding to expand capacity.
1:11:08
City agencies often lack the cultural competence to serve Asian communities effectively, turning instead to community based organizations like us, KFSE.
1:11:18
While we are proud to play this role, it is unsustainable without proper support and care.
1:11:23
To ensure that introduction 1103 delivers the intended benefits to Asian New Yorkers, the city must invest in Asian led, Asian serving CBOs from the outset.
1:11:32
This investment will enable us to provide the culturally and linguistically, competent mental services that our communities desperately need.
1:11:41
At KFSE, we have seen firsthand how culturally sensitive care can transform lives, providing holistic culturally attuned support that empowers individuals to heal and thrive.
1:11:52
In closing, we urge the city to adopt introduction 1103 with a commitment to prioritize collaboration with Asian led and Asian serving organizations.
1:12:01
The unique needs of New York's Asian communities stem in nothing less.
1:12:04
Thank you for your time and
