Prof. Hahm Shares Expertise on Asian American Women’s Mental Health at Cal State Conference
Prof. Hyeouk Chris Hahm from BU School of Social Work (BUSSW) delivered a 2 hour talk on the mental health of Asian American women at the 2nd Annual Behavioral Health Conference hosted by Cal State Los Angeles. Her presentation was part of a workshop focused on advancing behavioral health equity and featured her innovative AWARE Intervention, or “Asian Women’s Action for Resilience and Empowerment.” AWARE is an evidence-based, trauma-informed psychotherapy model specifically designed for Asian American women. Developed under Professor Hahm’s leadership, the model addresses mental health challenges by integrating cultural, familial, and gender-specific elements that reflect the unique lived experiences of this population.
In her talk, Prof. Hahm explored medical trends that reveal persistent disparities in mental health outcomes among Asian American women, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions that are not only clinically effective but also culturally responsive.
Hahm’s research seeks to improve the health and well-being of Asian American communities by understanding serious health challenges like self-harm, suicide, and behaviors that increase the risk of HIV, so that providers can develop better support and prevention. This presentation reflects her deep commitment to raising awareness about the challenges faced by historically marginalized populations and advancing culturally grounded, community-informed mental health solutions.