Let’s Talk About Mental Health— Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month 2023

May 1

Did you know that Asian Americans are the racial group to seek out mental health help the least? According to American Psychological Association (APA), only 8.6% of Asian Americans seek professional help compared to 18% of the general population. This is due to the model minority myth, lack of culturally competent care, and the prevalent cultural stigma and taboos surrounding mental health care.

When COVID-19 hit, there was also a significant increase in mental and physical stress put on the entire population, especially among AAPI, as anti-Asian rhetoric and hate crimes spiked. In this article, I'll review cultural stigmas and ways to reconnect with community members and families regarding mental health and wellness.

Asian mental health stigma and barriers

Cultural norms- Mental health problems become synonymous with weakness and shame. Culturally, there is a normalization of the hardships and sacrifices parents make for their children, which is often admirable/ the way it is. Anything that strays from the narrative of being able to contribute to family and society becomes a place of taboo and unworthiness.

The model minority myth- This myth has glorified Asian Americans as successful and able to assimilate and beat the odds. This is harmful as it perpetuates the idea that AAPI is a monolithic group with the same experiences and encourages suppression of hardships that they embody to carry out being a model minority.

Lack of culturally competent care- Lack of Asian therapists and culturally competent providers. This is even more true when language barriers are one of the main challenges facing older Asian immigrants; many cannot find proper mental health support.

How to combat the stigma

Don't minimize your experience- our parents may have it "worst." They've done their best with what they have, but that doesn't mean downplaying your experiences. Especially since some of these earlier relationships with caregivers are the root source of anxieties, self-doubt, or people-pleasing qualities, we may carry now.

Don't use stigmatizing language when talking about yourself or others- This includes comparing folks' struggles and life circumstances as well as using words such as "crazy" to identify a person who is struggling.

See physical and mental health as equal- If you injure your body physically, you will be forced to rest. Let's prioritize rest and sleep to give ourselves the energy to live our life. Glorifying a "production-obsessed" culture and work can harm one's wellness, and balance is critical.

Lastly, it's okay to not be okay- Being children of immigrants, we see how strong our parents are to provide for us. Often, emotions and painful memories of trauma are dissociated away. So many of us learned to push through challenges, but it's okay to say you're not okay and seek support.

How to talk to Asian parents about mental health

Set an intention- I want to note that it is entirely up to you to take the risk of vulnerability to share the vulnerable parts of yourself with parents that may not understand due to cultural differences; children of immigrants have more internalized Westernized values such as emotional expression. If you decide to, go in with the intention of not persuading them to agree or understand but more so the intention of telling your truth and navigating where to go from there in how you'd like support.

Physical symptoms are just as important as emotional ones- For some Eastern cultures, there can be less focus on the emotional and more on the physical. Physical symptoms are a manifestation of mental stress, anxiety, and trauma. I remember growing up, and my mother would never use the word sad or anxious with me, but she would get constant headaches (physical symptoms of her own stress and generational trauma); this was my way of understanding more of her mental health as an adult.

Join parents in shared cultural experiences- I find that shared experiences cultural experiences such as going to a place of worship, celebrating AAPI-specific holidays, and visiting relatives can be a way to bridge some of the gaps between cultures and sometimes an opportunity for parents to be more open to sharing. Ask about culture, customs, family history, and lineage, and that can be a way to inquire and relate that back to either generational mental health or your own.

Ask questions- Get to know your parent's experiences (if they are open to sharing), and if not, try asking specific questions that are direct and less open-ended. This is the opposite of Western culture, which stresses the importance of open-ended questions. However, directing your parents to particular moments or experiences can allow you to understand more.

Practicing boundaries and knowing when to choose self-preservation

Due to cultural differences and generations, your intentions and effort may go unnoticed or even be met with criticism and comparison. Know when to choose self-preservation versus becoming combative or shut down. Reach out to support networks, find understanding and connection among the community, and know that your experiences and stories are valid even if you are told otherwise.