Join us for our first in a series of in-depth conversations this year about mental health within the Asian American community, featuring U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma, author of Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being. The conversation will be moderated by Vicky Nguyen, NBC News Senior Consumer Investigative Correspondent and NBC News NOW anchor.

The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community comprises almost 6 percent of the U.S. population, equating to nearly 20 million individuals. Within this diverse cultural landscape of countries, ethnicities, and nationalities, a shared tapestry is woven with experiences that significantly impact mental health. The statistical data emphasizes a troubling trend revealing an increase in serious mental illness (SMI) among young Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) individuals aged 18-25. Between 2008 and 2018, the rate surged from 2.9 percent (47,000) to 5.6 percent (136,000). These figures serve as a clear indication of the urgency to address mental health concerns within this multifaceted community. It underscores the pressing need for a comprehensive understanding and support system to bolster mental wellness within the AAPI population. The discussion will explore strategies to bring families together for intergenerational healing, addressing unique stressors experienced by different age groups — from Gen Z to the aging Greatest Generation — and combatting the pervasive loneliness felt across the lifespan.

SPEAKERS 

Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2021 to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States. As the nation’s top doctor, Dr. Vivek Murthy helps to advance the health and well-being of all Americans and has worked to address critical public health issues. He has issued Surgeon General Advisories on the youth mental health crisis and social media’s impact on youth mental health, the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, and burnout in the health worker community. Dr. Murthy also issued a Surgeon General’s Framework on mental health in the workplace, and he is the first Surgeon General to host a podcast, House Calls with Dr. Vivek Murthy, where he invites guests and listeners to explore how we can all build more connected and meaningful lives.  As Vice Admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Dr. Murthy oversees more than 6,000 dedicated public health officers serving underserved and vulnerable populations. Dr. Murthy previously served as the 19th Surgeon General under President Obama. Raised in Miami, Dr. Murthy received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard, his medical degree from the Yale School of Medicine, and his Master's in Business Administration from the Yale School of Management. 

Sue Varma, MD, one of the nation's foremost mental health authorities, is truly a multidimensional expert. Dr. Varma is an esteemed physician and board-certified psychiatrist practicing in Manhattan for over twenty years- specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy, psychopharmacology, and couples counseling. Dr. Varma’s dedication to mental health is underscored by her pioneering role as the inaugural medical director and psychiatrist of the esteemed 9/11 mental health program at NYU, for which she was awarded a Mayoral Proclamation.  She is a nationally acclaimed medical commentator and is the networks’ top choice when it comes to elucidating scientific, credible and accessible mental health. Over the last two decades, Dr. Varma has been at the forefront of all of the important mental health conversations of the day.  She is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards for outstanding public service and teaching and is a two-time Sharecare Emmy Award recipient for her cutting-edge media work. Dr. Varma is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the highest distinction bestowed upon its members. Global Citizen recognized Dr. Varma as one of the world’s top five leading health experts for her contributions during the pandemic. Dr. Varma’s highly anticipated forthcoming book, Practical Optimism, currently being translated worldwide, offers practical and compassionate tips for exceptional mental wellness in turbulent times. 

Vicky Nguyen is an NBC News Senior Consumer Investigative Correspondent and NBC News NOW anchor. Based in New York, she reports for all platforms of NBC News, including NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, TODAY, NBC News NOW, and MSNBC. She also anchors NBC News Daily, which airs on NBC and streams on NBC News NOW Monday-Friday 12 pm-2 pm. Vicky has been leading the way in covering the anti-Asian violence across the country. In March 2021, she hosted the one-hour primetime special entitled The Racism Virus, featuring a mix of community leaders, including Nobel Prize nominee Amanda Nguyen, basketball player Jeremy Lin, as well as actors Olivia Munn and Margaret Cho. She graduated as valedictorian from the University of San Francisco, where she majored in communications and minored in biology. She’s based in New York, and when she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their three daughters, and their tiny dog. She loves spending time outdoors and trying new foods.