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Episode 55: The Asian American Teen Mental Health Crisis and the SPEAK Initiative with Dr. Teresa Hsu

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Episode Summary: In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber, LCSW sits down with Dr. Teresa Hsu-Walklet — clinical psychologist, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Founder of S.P.E.A.K. (A Supportive Place for Empowering Asian Americans & Kin) — to explore the growing mental-health crisis among Asian American teens.

Dr. Hsu discusses the historical and cultural context that shapes Asian American mental health — from early immigration and Japanese internment to the Vietnam War and the 2020 surge in anti-Asian hate during COVID-19. She shares how these systemic and generational experiences of trauma continue to influence today’s youth and why culturally responsive interventions are critical for prevention and healing.

We dive into her groundbreaking new resource, The Asian American Teen’s Mental Health Workbook, and the community-based work of S.P.E.A.K., which empowers Asian American families and providers through education, destigmatization, and research-driven advocacy.

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Topics Discussed:

  • How historical oppression and racialized trauma intersect with modern Asian American identity.
  • The impact of COVID-19–related anti-Asian hate on mental health and belonging.
  • Key takeaways from The Asian American Teen’s Mental Health Workbookfor clinicians, parents, and youth.
  • The role of community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) in advancing culturally responsive care.

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About Our Guest: Teresa Hsu, PhD, is the Founder and Executive Director of S.P.E.A.K., a Supportive Place for Empowering Asian Americans & Kin, which focuses on Asian American mental health and wellness through education, destigmatization, research, and direct services. She is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and as the former Assistant Director of the Pediatric Behavioral Health Integration Program at Montefiore Medical Center, she helped establish one of the largest pediatric integrated behavioral health primary care programs in the nation. She uses evidenced-based approaches in her work with individuals and families to address race-related stressors, parent-child cultural issues including cultural dissonance, anxiety, mood disorders, and trauma. Her research focuses on collaborative care, prevention, and population health in diverse, historically marginalized communities, and she has presented nationally and published in peer-reviewed journals. She has been interviewed by The New York Times, WHYY PBS & NPR, VeryWell Family, Romper, Modern Healthcare, and City Limits, amongst others.

Dr. Hsu-Walklet attended Northwestern University, where she received her B.A. in Psychology and Piano Performance, and she received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University. She completed her Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at New York University.

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Connect with Teresa: 

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Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. There are no other conflicts of interest to disclose.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional.

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