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

Supportive Communities Benefit Survivors of Suicide

An interview with Bonnie Kidd, published in The Sarnia Observer’s article “Special Report: Living with Suicide,” is a haunting reminder that the effects of suicide are not isolated to those who commit it. Society needs to provide care and support for the family, friends, and often the entire community left behind by someone who has committed suicide.

While mental illness has historically been one of those family secrets that lies “behind closed doors,” we need to open those doors to foster a supportive community. This could be the most helpful kind of assistance for those who suffer from mental illness and their families. If the worst should ensue, survivors of suicide can reap great support in having a community share their own grieving process.

Click here for more information on how to help a survivor of suicide in your community.

-Kate Midden

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.