From a Facebook group to a national network: Introducing the Asian Mental Health Professionals’ Network

When Josh Nguyen started a Facebook community in 2024, he wanted to create a place where mental health professionals supporting Asian communities could find each other. It has since grown into a network of more than 250 professionals across Australia, including researchers and students, all with an interest in multicultural practice, and workforce development.

Now it’s growing into a new MHPN Network, with a focus on collaboration and culturally responsive mental healthcare for Asian communities and Asian practitioners across Australia.

Join us for the launch on Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 6:00 PM AEDT. Find out more and RSVP

Why this Network, and why now

Josh Nguyen, a clinical psychologist, knows what it is like to look for a professional community and not find one. He was born and raised in a small town in Vietnam and moved to Melbourne to study and train.

Later, working as a clinician, he found few dedicated spaces to connect with others and talk through clinical challenges where culture plays an important role.

“Asian communities are incredibly diverse, encompassing different cultures, languages, migration histories and generations,” he says, explaining some individuals and families face barriers to care, such as stigma, language differences and a healthcare system that may not always respond to their needs.

Clinicians also face their own challenges, sometimes trying to understand distress in a cultural and family context.

Many also take on extra work, like educating colleagues and advocating for their communities. Nguyen calls this the “minority tax”. Without recognition and support, it can lead to burnout.

The Network is a place to share these experiences, support each other and discuss ways to create more culturally responsive care.

Community, and a bigger reach

Staying on Facebook alone meant missing practitioners who don’t use the platform.

“MHPN’s national reach and its emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration were a natural fit for what we were trying to achieve.”

What to expect

Led by Nguyen and Clinical Psychologist Karishma Rajan Menon, the Network activity is driven by the interests of its members.

The Network meets quarterly, both online and in person. Some meetings will feature guest speakers, while others will discuss case discussions or consist of other professional networking events.

Join the inaugural MHPN session

The inaugural online meeting is on Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 6:00 PM AEDT, which will explore what Asian mental health clinician communities have said they want from the Network, followed by an interactive discussion.

Find out more: