Photo: Alisha Jucevic | Los Angeles Times
When Chiaki's son was diagnosed with schizophrenia, she longed for a support network to help her find care for her son. As a first-generation Japanese mother, navigating the US healthcare system in an unfamiliar language and culture left her feeling isolated. So in 2012, she formed a Japanese-speaking family support group under National Alliance on Mental Illness South Bay that has for a decade served as a space for members, many first-generation Japanese mothers, to exchange experiences and learn how to talk within their families about mental illness. About eight to 12 people take part each month, sharing resources in Japanese. In March 2001, Naomi Mizushima founded 1000 Cranes for Recovery, which combats stigma through education and events such as workshops in which participants fold 1,000 origami cranes for mental wellness. It's a symbol of hope based on Japanese tradition.
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