Although there are fewer reports of mental health conditions in the Asian American community than in the white population (ADAA), this is linked to the potential underreported issues in the community that are underrepresented because of various stigmas. Evidence of this can be linked to the fact that this community has high rates of suicide and are more at risk. These stigmas in the Asian American community are the reason that they are less likely to seek help when faced with mental health issues, and perpetrate the trend of not prioritizing mental health enough.
Unfortunately, this is not the only barrier that disadvantages this community when seeking help and treatment. Language barriers are prevalent in this community and make it harder to communicate in certain cases. Health professionals who are able to surpass these language barriers and understand cultural trends are integral in treating Asian American patients culturally appropriate to ensure the highest quality of care.
Other notable trends within the Asian American community worth mentioning are disparities in the suicide sector. High school age Asian American females are more likely to commit suicide than their white female counterparts and the disparity is greater than that of Asian American high school age males. Another trend worth mentioning is the Asian American high school age demographic is more likely to consider suicide than their white counterparts, but less likely to attempt.
Sats:
Asian Americans have 17.30% overall lifetime rate of any psychiatric disorder
Asian American have 9.19% 12-month rate of any psychiatric disorder
Asian Americans are 3 times less likely to seek mental health services than White Americans.
8.6% of Asian American sought mental health services.
Some sources of stress that affect Asian Americans:
Pressure from parents to succeed in academics
Opening up about mental health is considered taboo in many Asian cultures
Pressure to fulfill/live up to the “model minority” stereotype
Discrimination due to racial/cultural background
Culture shock/difficulty balancing two different cultures, and losing one's identity
Resources to help the Asian American Community:
The following are three organizations that distribute further information about Asian American mental health trends:
National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association
National Asians Women Health Association
Relevant Readings:
Cites Used:
“Asian American/Pacific Islander Communities and Mental Health.” Mental Health
America, www.mhanational.org/issues/asian-americanpacific-
islandercommunities-and-mental-health.
“Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders.” Anxiety and Depression Association of
America, ADAA,adaa.org/finding-help/asian-americans.
Miller, Stetson. “Asian Americans Have Experienced High Rates Of Discrimination
Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Study Finds.” CBS Baltimore, CBS Baltimore, 15 July
2020, baltimore.cbslocal.com/2020/07/15/asian-americans-discrimination-
coronavirus-pandemic-study/.
“National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association.” National
Asian Ameri, www.naapimha.org/.
Nishi, Koko. “Mental Health Among Asian-Americans.” American Psychological
Association, American Psychological Association, 2012,
www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/ethnicity-health/asian-
american/articlemental-health.
“Office of Minority Health.” Mental and Behavioral Health - Asian Americans - The
Office of Minority Health, minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?
lvl=4&lvlid=54.
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