Written by YourPlace Therapy, Mental Health Practice
Your Place Therapy champions compassionate mental health care with a special commitment to AAPI representation. Based in NYC, their team of licensed social workers provides empathetic and inclusive care, empowering clients to start with where they're at.
‘Tis the season when we head towards the major holidays – Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. We mark these holidays on a calendar and it becomes a time of festivities celebrating moments of community, joy, and love. Whether through food, rituals, music, or gatherings, holidays create opportunities to pause, reflect, and reconnect with family, friends, and communities. They are powerful expressions of identity, tradition, and shared values that can help maintain one’s sense of identity and mental health.
Outside of these shared holidays, there are other special days where certain groups gather to celebrate and reflect on their cultural history, beliefs, and heritage, which connect individuals to their roots and communities – one being the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. For approximately 24 million Asians and 1.5 million Hawaiian & Pacific Islanders living in the United States, celebrating cultural holidays like Lunar New Year, Diwali, and Obon holds great importance as it symbolizes their anchors to heritage and identity. It is a way to stay connected to their roots when they are in a home away from home.
Many Asian Americans immigrated to the United States, so they are assimilating to a new culture while also being still tied to their roots. Around six-in-ten Asian Americans (57%), including 71% of Asian American adults, were born in another country. As moving to a new environment with different cultures and languages can be foreign and feel lonely, cultural holidays can foster a sense of belonging in a space of unfamiliarity.
Why cultural representation matters
Feeling like you belong in your community is an integral part of one’s mental health. Research has shown that a strong sense of belonging is linked to various positive outcomes, including improved social relationships, academic success, career achievements, and enhanced physical and mental health. There are various ways for one to feel accepted in society and for the members of the AAPI community, cultural celebrations are one of them. It serves as a reminder of their unique identities and the history behind them, reinforcing a positive self-concept.
Park et al. (2023) conducted a study in Australia that found a correlation between the role of representation in news media amongst multicultural audiences and a sense of belonging. People who feel represented in the news tend to have greater trust in it and are more inclined to engage in community discussions about current events. This engagement fosters a deeper sense of connection and belonging within society.
So, when communities acknowledge and celebrate these cultural traditions, it has an immense impact. It allows them to feel seen and heard through all of their identities and not just by the one they are assimilating to. Seeing symbols and decorations, hearing celebratory congratulations, and participating in traditions that reflect one's culture can alleviate the sense of “otherness” that some multicultural individuals may experience. It can allow them to express and embrace their identities without hesitation and fosters acceptance, validation, and pride within themselves. Recognizing their cultural lineage and celebrating it can help integrate communities but also one’s self-conflicts with their contrasting identities.
Tips on how to foster cultural belonging during AAPI holidays
As we emphasize the importance of cultural representation, here are some tips and tricks that you can use to help create this space and opportunities:
1. Learning and acknowledging the holiday
Saying “Happy Mid Autumn Festival!, Happy Chuseok!, or Happy Diwali!” is a form of support. These simple phrases show that you recognize and support their cultural heritage. It makes them
Try to learn more about people’s holidays and come from a curious standpoint rather than an assumption. Ask the people around you if they celebrate them and how they celebrate.
2. Highlight and share cultural stories and content
Share AAPI holiday-related content, stories, or historical context on social media, physical media, or during conversations. Through a self-conducted survey, we asked the AAPI community what they would like to see. The participants expressed that these posts raise awareness and allow those within and outside the AAPI community to learn more. It is also an opportunity for them to find spaces to connect during the holidays.
3. Open spaces and times for the community to celebrate
If you own a business, work in a community/local center, or even have an open area (e.g. yard, house, block party, etc.), you can make an impact by providing spaces where AAPI holidays can be celebrated openly. Organizing or attending community events, like Diwali festivals or Lunar New Year parades, can create inclusive spaces that foster cultural belonging.
4. Posting cultural representation symbols and signs
Visual representation matters. In spaces where you can’t offer a space, like workplaces or schools, or if you are not into social gatherings or introverted, think about posting cultural symbols and decorations, like traditional colors or patterns, etc. It creates an opportunity for those in those communities to be recognized and feel supported. Price and Applebaum (2022) found that when museums and cultural spaces have objects of belonging or physical things that belonging is attached to or influenced by, creates an opportunity for a connection towards their identity. Your silence is not just limited to your words. Visual representation is a way to show support that can also have an impact outside of words.
As we are in the midst of the holiday times, keep in mind the other diverse cultures and their festivities that may be happening too. Through small, simple actions—like learning holiday greetings, sharing stories, and creating inclusive spaces—we can help foster an environment where everyone feels recognized and valued. For the AAPI community, celebrating holidays is not just about festivities, traditions, or food but also serves as a bridge between their heritage and daily lives. Cultural representation is a way to be seen for their full identities and share it with others in an important and meaningful way. By honoring the AAPI holidays, we can not only support cultural belonging for the AAPI community but also enhance our society with deeper understanding, empathy, and unity.
Read more from YourPlace Therapy
YourPlace Therapy, Mental Health Practice
YourPlace Therapy is a New York City-based mental health practice dedicated to advancing emotional wellness with a focus on AAPI representation. Their skilled team of AAPI mental health clinicians emphasize personalized, inclusive care that center the client as partners for growth. Passionate about fostering safe spaces and supportive environments, they help individuals from diverse backgrounds achieve personal growth and a stronger sense of self.
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