New study calls for bilingual and culturally competent medical professionals

There are many reasons why Asian-Americans are the least likely to seek out mental health care services in comparison to others. A recent study from the December 2010 American Journal of Public Health might provide one reason why only 3 percent of AAPIs use it compared to 5.59 percent of African-Americans, 5.94 percent of Caribbean Blacks, 4.44 percent of Mexicans, 5.55 percent of Cubans, and 8.8 percent of the general population.

The study was also done due to other recent research findings on the increasing association between racial discrimination and mental health issues among the AAPI population. Some forms of modern discrimination the study mentioned include the model minority stereotype, hate crime, racial profiling, and discrimination in the workplace.

Previous studies have shown that discrimination is correlated to the low rates at which Asian-Americans seek mental health care resources. The December 2010 study said discrimination can occur because some patients speak another language, speak with an accent, or because cultural bias can be directed toward patients.

The researchers explored this by analyzing data 2,095 Asian-Americans. The figures come from the first national survey on AAPIs called the National Latino and Asian American Study. The sample included 600 Chinese, 508 Filipinos, 520 Vietnamese, and 467 other Asians. The research findings state that discrimination was found with higher informal services, but not with lower use of formal services. Additionally, higher levels of discrimination along with lower English proficiency levels were connected with more use of informal services.

Based on its findings, the study called for more culturally competent and bilingual medical professionals. This could be accomplished through education and collaboration between medical institutions and community resources.

Racial discrimination may be one cause for the reason why AAPIs do not seek mental health resources, but further research must be done on all 50 Asian groups represented in the United States. More ethnographic research is also needed in the communication, psychology, sociology/anthropology fields in order to fully help the increasing amount of Asian-Americans today that might need mental health care.

- Theresa Campagna

Female Asian-American Teens Have Highest Rates of Depression New Study Says

A recent study released yesterday by the National Alliance on Mental Illness reported that Asian-American Pacific Islander female youth have the highest rates of depressive symptoms out of any other ethnic group.

 The study also found that female AAPIs between the ages of 15 and 24 are more likely to die from suicide, and that suicide is the top cause of death among Asian-American women that are 65 years of age or older.  Additionally, NAMI found that 71 percent of Southeast Asian women are more likely to suffer from disorders such as depression.

The findings are based on a November 2010 listening session that was hosted by NAMI's Multicultural Center in Los Angeles. The use of social media, ambassadors, and cultural messages were some solutions offered in the research study.

One of the reasons why suicide is so high among the global Asian community comes from the importance of the family unit over the individual. This is especially important to address since in the U.S. there is oftentimes a clash between family honor and personal freedom among APIs and their immigrant parents.

The Asian-American community must teach love and constructive criticism to their children. Public figures such as Amy Chua who continue to encourage the notion of  tough love and emotional abuse, continues the vicious connection to the high rates of suicide among the Asian-American community. Her new book called "Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior" states that there is nothing wrong with shaming and verbally humiliating their children on a regular basis in order for them to do well in life.

It is important for Asian-American activists and mental health programs to promote outreach resources. However, AAPIS must also reconsider the old ways and that depression does not make one crazy - it is okay to ask for help when it is needed.

- Theresa Campagna

Photo by National Alliance on Mental Illness

Recent Increase of Suicides Inspires Suicide Prevention Program For Asian-Americans

A recent University of Washington study shows almost 16 percent of all U.S.-born Asian-American women have considered suicide, compared to 13 percent of all Americans. Additionally, the 2009 study found that U.S.-born Asian-American women are more likely to attempt suicide.

In light of this, and 2010 suicides at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and other college campuses, the Asian Cultural House hosted a suicide prevention program on Jan. 25. Coordinator Sean Cheng said the program's purpose was to let the public know that suicide nationally is the second-leading cause of death among college-age students, and at the university a large number of suicides are Asian students.

''I would say it’s not something that is news to us here at the Counseling Center. We’ve been aware that this is an issue,” he said. “And it’s more that the national spotlight has been on recent suicides. Might as well use that as a time to get the message across.”

Additionally, the program was designed to reach out to Asian-Americans – and emphasize the importance of using campus resources such as the university's counseling center, mental health facilities, resident advisers, or mentors to name a few. Cheng said that Asian-Americans do not seek help when in distress.


One reason might be living up to the model minority stereotype, which according to scholars is defined as those who are more likely to set a high standard for achievement in comparison to other minorities, and in turn are more likely to be over-achievers. The New York Times defines it as an ''...image of Asian-Americans as a homogeneous group of high achievers taking over the campuses of the nation’s most selective colleges..''

In an October PBS interview, practitioner Dr. Shinhee Han said, ''Often times I have clients whose parents were absent growing up, working nonstop, and telling their kids to study no matter what their family was going through. Many children grew up in a house filled with sadness and too little laughter.”

Despite this, the suicide prevention program said that it is okay to seek help because the University of Illinois is a community.

The nonprofit, To Write Love On Her Arms was also present at the program.  One of its main goals as an organization is to decrease the stigma behind openly discussing mental health topics such as depression and suicide. It also has an outreach program for those struggling with such issues.


 There needs to be more programs like this for not just the Asian-American student population, but for all students in college, given the recent increase in suicides on campuses nationwide. Furthermore, university funding should be set aside to provide a resource center, a safe haven for Asian American students to healthily de-stress and bond with other Asian-American students.

- Theresa Campagna

More information on To Write Love On Her Arms can be found here.