Updated May 26, 2022
LTSC’s response to Anti-Asian Hate
With daily doses of uncertainty, isolation, fear and death, an unprecedented wave of mental health issues has emerged during the pandemic. Among Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, the impact is profound, particularly against the backdrop of Anti-Asian violence, which amplifies both vulnerability and trauma. The psychological upheaval of the past 2 years has wreaked havoc, with increased incidents of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and suicide.
How LTSC is helping:
Mental Health Services: Adults and Seniors
LTSC provides direct support services to seniors, adults and young adults in the community who are impacted by anti-AAPI hate crimes, harassment and the anti-AAPI climate:
- Victims of hate crimes and bystanders to address their emotional trauma
- Those who are showing signs of depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress order due to the anti-AAPI climate.
- Care management for victims who are experiencing trauma due to anti AAPI harassment.
Mental Health Services: Young Adults
The associated stigma of the pandemic and increase in Asian hate crimes has added to the reasons for why support for Asian American mental health care is vitally urgent. LTSC’s program Changing Tides is providing:
- CT Stream, a stipend program to cover costs for non-acute therapeutic services for those seeking therapy for the first time and/or for those currently unable to afford the costs of therapy
- A wide variety of programs to continue the conversation surrounding mental health and mental health stigma within the AAPI community including workshops, art projects and gatherings.
Senior Programming: Safety
Seniors are aware of the anti-AAPI incidents that are occurring throughout the country however; they cannot remain locked inside their apartments. LTSC helps seniors safe:
- Self-defense classes and social activities to keep them engaged and aware
- Non-violent intervention, situational awareness and de-escalation
- Multi-lingual tip sheetsopens PDF file
- and personal alarms.
- Developing leadership skills among residents, business owners and stakeholders to advocate for a safer, more pedestrian friendly neighborhood and to strengthen the social fabric of the neighborhood.
Senior Programming: Activities
Keeping seniors socially engaged prevents the debilitating effects of social isolation and fears about the pandemic and AAPI harassment. LTSC is providing:
- Far East Lounge, organized class instruction for the senior residents of Little Tokyo at Teraskai Budokan
- Gentle exercise, ping pong, computer learning, yoga, Ukulele, Zumba, Tai Chi, music, flower arranging, journaling, gardening, puzzles, arts and crafts, English classes
- Opportunity for in-person socialization
- Morning café gathering space
Community and Economic Development
Because community control and self-determination is a key component of racial justice, we will continue lending our expertise to economic development and housing projects throughout Los Angeles.
Coalition Building
We will continue to support AAPI Equity Alliance and Stop AAPI Hate and advocate for the use of federal money to support grassroots racial equity work.
Finally, all of LTSC’s work is informed by the understanding that incidents of AAPI hate are rooted in white supremacy. Consequently, LTSC is committed to working with communities of color and will continue to position our work within the broader context of the movement for racial justice and social change.
