It's Real

the concept while resources for mental health both within and without the asian american community have grown tremendously in the last few years, many asian americans still lack an accessible platform to discuss mental health. this is especially true for teenagers and young adults, who may not be financially independent or comfortable enough to open up to mental health professionals of a much older age group. hence, it's real: run by students to create a space for discussion and destigmatization. the execution through art and writing, we grapple with concepts that may otherwise be difficult to discuss or admit. it is often through the abstraction of a poem or piece of art that we process, communicate, and come to terms with our struggles. pompousness aside, art is cathartic and humanizing! by channeling our difficulties with mental health into photography, song, or graphic art, we transform the darker parts of ourselves into something beautiful while forming invaluable connections w