UCA WAVES Youth Mental Health Collaborative

UCA WAVES Youth Mental Health Collaborative Wellness. Advocacy. Voices. Education. Support. An Asian American youth mental health collaborative.

UCA WAVES is a youth mental health collaborative that seeks to provide support particularly among Asian American families. Asian American youth often suffer “silently” with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Stigma against mental illness, social isolation, cultural expectations, identity issues, low mental health literacy, and lack of available fluent or culturally sensitive mental h

ealth professionals – these are only some of the barriers that stand in the way of getting help. In response, we as a collaborative community are here to stand together and work towards Wellness, Advocacy, Voices, Education, and Support (WAVES).

The Water Eagles are getting ready to take on the water!🥳🚣🏾‍♀️At a recent practice, our dragon boat race team hit the la...
08/26/2026

The Water Eagles are getting ready to take on the water!🥳🚣🏾‍♀️

At a recent practice, our dragon boat race team hit the lake to work on their rowing technique, timing, coordination, and, most importantly, teamwork. Every stroke requires the team to move together, communicate, and trust one another.

Practices like these help them build the strength and chemistry they’ll need come race day—and we won't you to be there to witness it, too!

Hosted by Asian Focus NC, join us for the 11th Asia Fest this September! Enjoy all that this event has to offer, including cultural activities, food, performances, and more! Interested? Here's what you need to know⬇️

⏰ WHEN: September 19 | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
🗺️ WHERE: Koka Booth Amphitheatre | 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC 27518

Looking to learn more or ready to get your tickets? Click on the link below. We hope to see you there cheering on the Water Eagles!

📲 LINK: https://www.asianfocusnc.org/asiafest

Back-to-school season can bring a lot of excitement, but also new transitions and challenges for students, families, and...
08/26/2026

Back-to-school season can bring a lot of excitement, but also new transitions and challenges for students, families, and school teams. If you're looking for some extra support check out these awesome resources from our friends at Cartwheel!📚🤸🏿‍♂️

This includes practical guidance for school teams, parent guides in English and Spanish, worksheets, and tools to help children and teens navigate common back-to-school stressors and transitions. These resources may be helpful for educators, caregivers, and anyone supporting young people as the new school year begins.

Thank you, Cartwheel, for your continuous support of students and their families🩵

📲 LINK: https://www.cartwheel.org/back-to-school

We are thrilled to share that our first publication on , with a focus on Karen , is now out!📊 To our knowledge, this i...
08/25/2026

We are thrilled to share that our first publication on , with a focus on Karen , is now out!📊 To our knowledge, this is also the first study focused specifically on this underserved population.

For us, this isn’t simply about having “another publication.” It is about using , community voices, and evidence-based approaches to better serve who experience some of the greatest vulnerabilities and barriers to care. According to a NC Department of Health and Human Services report, 5,030 Asian American and Pacific Islanders ( ) in Wake County live in poverty. We hope the stories and experiences shared in this article help us better understand the challenges facing AAPI and, more importantly, inspire meaningful action to support their and well-being.

Among the many villagers who helped to make this a possibility, we extend our deepest gratitude to the , researchers, community partners, , co-authors, and families who contributed their time, expertise, trust, and care.

We are especially grateful to Dr. Cheryl Woods Giscombe,for her patient, wise, and compassionate mentorship; dissertation committee members Jessica Williams, Ya-Ke (Grace) Wu, Dr. Jada L. Brooks, and Dr. Paohwa Lin, who also served as co-PI for the “Identifying AAPI Health Priorities in ” project funded by the Blue Cross NC Foundation; program officer Shelia Reich; and Yolanda VanRiel of North Carolina Central University for their support throughout this work.

We are also grateful for the work of our incredible WAVES team, including young scholars and co-authors Dr. Lily Chen, Warren Lu, Hannah Feng, Naialie Lor, Tianlin Jiang, and Ling Jin. And, most importantly, we thank the Karen Community Farm and for their trust, courage, continued engagement, and commitment to serving their . Their voices and partnership are at the heart of this work.

Check out the publication by clicking on the link below. Interested in reading the whole ? Contact our Executive Founder, Lily Chen, at [email protected] to receive the PDF. We can't wait to keep this momentum going!🩵🌊

📲 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0883941726001743?dgcid=author

It’s been a few days, but we’re still reflecting on what an amazing time we had last week at the gathering held by the B...
08/24/2026

It’s been a few days, but we’re still reflecting on what an amazing time we had last week at the gathering held by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation of North Carolina. We wanted to share this message written by one of our board members, Yin Yin, who captured the significance and impact of this event:

“Thank you so much for inviting us to the Strengthening Youth Mental Health Together Convening. The day was outstanding—thoughtful, inspiring, and beautifully executed.

The agenda created real opportunities for people to learn from one another and make connections. Ruby's excellent facilitation amplified the impact.

We were deeply moved by several examples of the work being done across North Carolina. They were inspiring, practical, and gave us new ideas.

And we were so well cared for throughout the day. Every detail—from breakfast and lunch to ice cream, cookies, the beautiful notebook, tote, and other thoughtful touches—made participants feel genuinely welcomed and appreciated.

Funding matters, but so do the people behind the funding. We met several Blue Cross NC employees involved in this work, and we could see the care, thought, and commitment behind the investment. The convening deepened our respect for Blue Cross NC—not only as a funder, but as a partner helping strengthen the youth mental health community across North Carolina.

Thank you for creating not just a funding program, but a community of leaders inspiring one another.”

It’s so beautiful to see the work happening in North Carolina. To say we’re inspired by the work of our fellow grantees is an understatement. And of course, our deepest gratitude to Blue Cross NC for making all of this possible—your support is saving lives!🩵🌎

Join UCA WAVES and the Water Eagles at the 11th Asia Fest! Organized by Asian Focus NC, we’re excited to be part of this...
08/20/2026

Join UCA WAVES and the Water Eagles at the 11th Asia Fest! Organized by Asian Focus NC, we’re excited to be part of this celebration of Asian culture and community, featuring:

🐲 Dragon Boat Race with the Water Eagles
♥️ WAVES Family Well-Being Booth with activities, education, food, and resources
🎭 WAVES Team Skit — 三句半 (3.5 Sentences) performance on stage

Plus, enjoy all that Asia Fest has to offer, including cultural activities, food, performances, and more! Interested? Here's what you need to know:

⏰ WHEN: September 19 | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
🗺️ WHERE: Koka Booth Amphitheatre | 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC 27518

Looking to learn more or ready to get your tickets? Scan the QR code now, or click on the link below. We hope to see you there!

📲 LINK: https://www.asianfocusnc.org/asiafest

P.S. Shoutout to our amazing sponsors, United Chinese Americans - UCA and UCACF!😊

We’ve got another wonderful resource we’re delighted to pass along!😃 The Hive for Hope & Healing is a community grant pr...
08/17/2026

We’ve got another wonderful resource we’re delighted to pass along!😃

The Hive for Hope & Healing is a community grant program funded by the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina providing FREE wellbeing support to Wake County residents of color ages 18 and older. Participants receive up to 10 fully-paid individual sessions with culturally competent licensed therapists, removing financial barriers to help you focus on your growth and wellbeing. You can even choose a therapist from their therapist directory to find the right fit for your needs!

We know how important accessibility is, especially when it comes to mental health support. If you’re interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, here’s everything you need⬇️

🙋🏾‍♀️ Interest Form (Required**); https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepOUqiHB9QR3GALYnTD6FxHHgX1iR4k7iYsVBFivuAloT2Ig/viewform

☎️Therapist Directory: https://stambroseraleigh.org/hive-for-hope-and-healing-therapist-partners/

💻 Website: https://stambroseraleigh.org/hive-for-hope-and-healing/

📨 Questions? Contact: [email protected]

Fill out the interest form to get started today. We're so inspired by the mission of this program, and we can't wait to hear all about the lives it will go on to touch in the community!♥️🐝

Gearing up for back-to-school season? Good news: We have an exciting event we're delighted to pass along!🏫As another sc...
08/13/2026

Gearing up for back-to-school season? Good news: We have an exciting event we're delighted to pass along!🏫

As another school year begins, the Town of Apex invites you and your family to join them for a special CommUniversity: Back-to-School Community Connection & Conversation!

This FREE community event is designed to help families begin the school year informed, connected, and confident. Wake County Public School System Superintendent, Dr. Robert P. Taylor, will also be in attendance sharing updates on the district's priorities, including student achievement, student wellness, school safety, and what's ahead for the new school year. Following his presentation, Town Manager Randy Vosburg will moderate a live question-and-answer session, giving families the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with district leadership.

In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from and connect with local organizations that provide resources to support children and families throughout the school year. Interested? Here's everything you need to know⬇️

⏰ WHEN: Thursday, August 27, 2026 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
🗺️ WHERE: Wake Tech Community College (Western Wake Campus) | 3434 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27518

This event is free, but they ask that attendees register in advance. You can do so now by clicking on the link below:

✅ REGISTER NOW: https://www.cognitoforms.com/TownOfApex1/CommUniversityBacktoSchoolCommunityConnectionAndConversation

We hope you take advantage of this opportunity as another successful school year together kicks off!😊📚

🚨 ATTENTION: RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED! 🚨We’re delighted to pass along this flier created by one of our amazingly tal...
08/10/2026

🚨 ATTENTION: RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED! 🚨

We’re delighted to pass along this flier created by one of our amazingly talented WAVES Makers, Hannah, who is looking for participants for her current study on and belonging. The survey takes just less than fifteen minutes to complete, and your input will help increase our knowledge of ***r Asian American and support intervention development. Here’s the eligibility requirements:

✅ Must be 18+
✅ Must identify as or Asian American (including mixed race)
✅ Must identify as gay, bisexual, pansexual, or le***an (inclusive of all )
✅ Must have disclosed to at least one parent
✅ Must reside in the
✅ Must be able to read & understand English

Research is at the heart of so much of what we do at WAVES, so we know intimately how important like these really are. Asian Americans—much like many other —remained underrepresented in . But when we bridge those gaps, it lays the groundwork to serve these productively and proactively.

Interested? Click on the link at the bottom of this post. Questions? Here’s who to contact⬇️

Primary Investigator: Hannah Feng | [email protected]
Research Advisor: Dr. Katheryn Roberson-Miranda, Ph.D. | [email protected]

📲 SURVEY LINK: https://fordham.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cAdtjphHu1UOH4y?Q_CHL=qr

Thank you for your consideration in contributing to this invaluable !

During her recent trip to , our Founding Executive Director had the chance to reconnect with Tianlin, our Chinese Commu...
08/10/2026

During her recent trip to , our Founding Executive Director had the chance to reconnect with Tianlin, our Chinese Communication Team Lead. From conversations about and to crashing a Tai Chi “party,” sharing good food, and spending time with friends and family, it was a wonderful reminder that the we build through this work can span generations and borders.

We’re grateful for the people who continue to make the WAVES what it is, wherever in the world they may be!🌏🩵

Interested in getting involved and joining us in our mission? Click on the link below!

📲 https://ucawaves.org/support-us-2/

season is here, and while new beginnings often come with excitement, returning to school is also a time to reflect on ...
08/06/2026

season is here, and while new beginnings often come with excitement, returning to school is also a time to reflect on student wellbeing. As a youth collaborative, much of our work at WAVES is directly for and inspired by this specific demographic. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or just a community member with an investment in the next generation, here’s 5 fast to know:

1️⃣ Nearly half of U.S. students report persistent sadness or hopelessness. In 2023, among students in grades 9–12, 40% reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness; 20% seriously considered su***de; 16% made plans; and 9% attempted su***de in the past year

🔗 Source: https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/index.html

2️⃣ School connectedness is a protective factor for mental health. who feel connected to peers and adults at school are significantly less likely to report depressive symptoms, substance misuse, or suicidal behaviors.

🔗 Source: https://www.cdc.gov/youth-behavior/school-connectedness/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/protective/school_connectedness.htm

3️⃣ Over 60% of teens say homework causes them that affects their sleep.

🔗 Source: https://gitnux.org/stress-homework-statistics/

4️⃣ Nearly 45% of university students say academic pressure significantly impacts their mental health. Students with high are twice as likely to report suicidal ideation.

🔗 Source: https://wifitalents.com/academic-burnout-statistics/

5️⃣ Peer-to-peer programs reduce stigma and increase help-seeking.

🔗 Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9294224/

Interested in learning how you can support those returning to school? Check out the link below for mental health resources for both students and educators alike📚🩵

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/get-involved/digital-shareables/mental-health-resources-for-students-and-educators

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Room 3701, 800 Park Offices Drive
Apex, NC
27709

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