| The image of Asians as the model minority has long prevented our community from asking for and getting the help we may need. What kind of mental health needs exist in the Asian American community? Are we at risk of developing certain problems? Do we use the resources available to us? What are the root causes of our mental health issues? Mental health needs and risks in our community Researchers have found that Asian American adults and children are both prone to depression. Asian American women have higher suicide rates than any other ethnic group. And suicide rates are higher for Asian American immigrants than for U.S.-born Asian Americans. In the second generation, Asian American children and teenagers are highly prone to depression, citing "pressure to succeed in school" as a "primary source of stress and anxiety" (The Coalition for Asian American Children Families Fact Sheet). Yet, as a group, we tend to underutilize the mental health resources and supports available in the United States. Causes The root causes of our pain are just as diverse as the groups that make up the Asian American community. For some of us, leaving our family and friends behind as we began our lives here has led to much loneliness and isolation. For others, surviving a war, refugee camps, and making the journey to the U.S. has left major scars on our psyches. For still others who were born here, dealing with the cultural differences between us and our parents can lead to an internal conflict that is difficult to resolve. Finally, the difference in the value of family, family roles, religious practices, clothes, and food preferences pose other adjustments and conflicts in the U.S. All of these aspects of Asian American life place our community at risk for developing mental health problems. Rates of mental health use Research has shown time and time again that we do not use mental health services as much as other communities in the U.S. Why is this? Part of the reason is the stigma associated with mental illness in the community. Many individuals view mental health problems as a sign of weakness or shame, and thus individuals who really need services refuse to seek help. Another reason we may not seek help is that many of the mental health services are centered toward serving the White community. Counselors may be unaware of cultural differences and be insensitive to the needs in our community. Therefore, many of us get help from our relatives and individuals within the community. Although seeking help through ones we know can be beneficial, we may let feelings develop until they become so overwhelming that we end up seeking help when we are in a high-risk situation (feeling suicidal or depressed) and could have been treated earlier if we had sought professional help. What can be done? We need to identify culturally sensitive services in the community that we can trust to help. There are practicing counselors in Wisconsin who are aware of the special needs in our community. Within the Asian American community, we need to stop stigmatizing mental illness and preventing people from getting professional help. We do not need to live feeling bad about ourselves; our community can continue to grow strong through seeking and encouraging us to get mental health treatment when we feel down and are in need of support. National Depression Screening Day occurs during the beginning of October and therefore your local healthcare clinic and college or university will be offering FREE screenings for depression. You can also rake a test on line at http://www.depressionscreening.org/ to see if you are at risk of developing depression.The screening takes only five minutes and can change your life so that you are able to enjoy each day. Mental Health Resources in Madison Rainbow Project (608)255-7356 Mental Health Center of Dane County (608) 280-2700 The Family Center (608) 663-6154 Meera Rastogi, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Edgewood College in Madison, Wis. She's working toward licensure as a psychologist in Wisconsin. |
| Mental health and the Asian American community By Meera Rastogi |
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