About IWAY2

Improving the Wellness of Asian Youth 2 (IWAY2) is a 4-year project funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and headed by principal investigator Dr. Tooru Nemoto. IWAY2 is operated under Health Intervention Projects for Underserved Populations (HIPUP), a program at the Public Health Institute. Our target population is Asian youth ages 12 to 18 living and going to school in Alameda county. We center our care to meet the youth with where they are at physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and provide culturally and linguistically relevant programs and services.

IWAY2’s goal is to

Increase access to trauma-informed mental health services
Create and provide a safe space for Asian youth to express and explore their mental health and Asian identity

Our programs/services we offer are

Free one-on-one counseling
Youth empowerment programs
Presenting health and mental well-being workshops at schools in Alameda County
Tabling at school health events, and other local health events
Collaborations with other local community-based organizations
Youth leadership opportunities (Advocacy Internship, CAB)

Click on the links for more information

Our Mission

To provide culturally sensitive mental health and wellness support programs, services, and resources to Asian youth in Alameda County, as well as to empower Asian youth to challenge the mental health stigma in their communities.