About SPEAK

The Foundation for SPEAK

SPEAK is a nonprofit organization started in Westchester County, New York, in 2024 after its founder discovered there was not a single mental health organization tailored to the Asian American community despite the county's rapidly growing Asian American population. This information, paired with the knowledge that Asian Americans don't like seeking help, as well as the worsening of symptoms during and after the height of the COVID19 pandemic, has led to increased concern by community members about the unmet mental health needs of Asian Americans in Westchester County.

The problem is not occurring in Westchester County alone, however - and we recognize that other communities in the United States are likely suffering the same problem. We're starting with Westchester County with the hopes of expanding in the future.

**Why SPEAK?**

SPEAK stands for: a Supportive Place for Empowering Asian Americans and Kin. We chose the name "SPEAK" to give a voice to a historically invisible population.

The Components of SPEAK: Education (Speak Up), Research (Speak Out), and Services (Speak Now)

Stigma and cultural misinformation about mental health, in addition to language barriers and difficulties accessing care, all contribute to mental health underutilization and high rates of preventable mental health issues. SPEAK uses this 3-pronged approach to begin addressing the mental health needs of the Asian American community, with efforts in destigmatization, normalization of the concept of mental health, in addition to advocacy for more culturally-relevant interventions.

Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Teresa Hsu

S.P.E.A.K. is founded by Clinical Psychologist Teresa Hsu, PhD (she/hers), a second-generation Taiwanese/Chinese-American and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Hsu has almost 20 years of clinical experience, 7 years of leadership experience, and 9 years’ experience dedicated to program development, evaluation, and implementation. As the former Assistant Director of the Pediatric Behavioral Health Integration Program at Montefiore Medical Center, she helped establish one of the largest pediatric integrated behavioral health primary care programs in the nation. She believes it is essential to increase access to care and decrease barriers to treatment for marginalized populations and therefore, her work and research focus on collaborative care, a systemic (family, neighborhood, cultural) understanding of child and adolescent mental health, prevention, and population health in diverse, historically marginalized communities. She also works with individuals and families to address race-related stressors, cultural issues including cultural dissonance, anxiety, mood disorders, and trauma. Her research has been presented nationally and published in peer-reviewed journals. She has been interviewed by The New York Times, WHYY PBS & NPR, VeryWell Family, Romper, Modern Healthcare, and City Limits, amongst others.

Dr. Hsu attended Northwestern University, where she received her B.A. in Psychology and Piano Performance and received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University.

Board Members

Komala Ramachandra, JD

Komala Ramachandra, JD has been a human rights advocate and lawyer for nearly two decades, promoting transparency, corporate accountability, and access to remedy for individuals and communities around the world. She is currently the Head of Human Rights and Women’s Empowerment at Gap Inc., focusing on improving respect for workers’ rights and well-being in facilities that manufacture Gap Inc. apparel globally. Prior to joining Gap Inc., Komala worked in civil society, including Human Rights Watch and Accountability Counsel, and international organisations on human rights and economic inequality, rights-based development, and social and environmental compliance. She has a BA in economics and political science from Northwestern University and a JD from Harvard Law School.

Marjorie Hsu, MBA

Marjorie Hsu leverages technology to improve business models and champions opportunities to build connections between people, products, solutions, and markets globally. She is currently a consultant to technology startups and was a former executive at Verizon Wireless and SingTel.

Ms. Hsu holds an MBA and BS in Electrical Engineering from Boston University where she now serves on the Advisory Board for the Center for Computing and Data Science. She also serves on boards for early stage tech, the Westchester Community Foundation, and the Westchester County’s Asian American Advisory Board.

May Tang, MBA

May Tang is a Risk Department head in the Supervision Group of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.Trained as an electrical engineer, May has a successfully career spanning across technology and bankingindustry, especially with rich experience in both regulatory agencies and large banks. She holds a MBA in Finance and a bachelor degree in Engineering.

Peggy Loo, PhD

Peggy Loo, PhD is a licensed psychologist, clinical supervisor, and the founding director of Manhattan Therapy Collective, a group therapy practice in New York City. Dr. Loo earned a PhD from Columbia University in counseling psychology, where she trained in a multicultural and social justice orientation to mental health care. Dr. Loo is dedicated to the provision of multiculturally responsive therapy for AAPI adults and mentoring the next generation of clinicians.

Nicole Benedicto Elden, PsyD

Nicole Benedicto Elden, PsyD, is a 1.5 generation immigrant from the Philippines and a practicing psychologist and coach for over 18 years. She has worked at universities, hospitals and community health centers. She has a private practice in Manhattan & Larchmont, NY. Dr. Benedicto Elden also teaches, trains, and supervises rising clinicians and is an adjunct supervisor for the CUNY Graduate Center's Counseling Service. Additionally, she is a published editor and author of a book on graduate student mental health (www.thrivingingradschool.com). She is a mental health speaker and committed to advocating for mental health awareness, the de-stigmatization of therapy and the incorporation of eastern and collectivist interventions.

Meet Our Expert Consultants

Nirali Patel, MD

Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Victoria Chiu, PhD, LMHC, LMFT

Psychotherapist

Learn more

Volunteer With Us!

Volunteering with SPEAK is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the Asian American community. Complete the 1-minute Volunteer interest form to join us!

Volunteer Interest Form

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