By Keilin Tankiamco

Mental health exists in every person, no matter what age, gender, or ethnicity. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 22.8% of adults experienced mental illness in 2021–1 in 5 adults. However, with 16% of Asian Americans reporting having a mental illness, only 25.4% of those are willing to seek treatment. While that may seem low among Americans, Asian Americans tend to not report their mental illness and are less likely to utilize mental health services when compared to other racial and ethnic groups. 

Asian American culture is very rich with diversity, standards, and values. With that, this community experiences unique hardships and trauma that is often thought of as insignificant, especially when comparing oneself with their family or their peers. They often experience parental pressure to succeed in academics, pressure to live up to the “model minority” stereotype, cultural/racial discrimination, difficulty balancing two different cultures, and more with the disapproval of discussing mental health concerns. As Asian Americans, they often hear how their parents have given up so much for them to have this “privileged” life in the states, and how their parent’s experience was much worse. As mental health exists in everyone, Asian Americans’ unique culture and experience can lead to the suppression of emotions, confining oneself from seeking the help they need. 

What Causes Asian Americans to Avoid Seeking Assistance for Mental Health Issues?

Cultural Influence 

People struggling with mental health issues do not seek help because they are afraid to relive and talk about a traumatic experience, but to many Asian Americans, it can also be because of who they are. In Asian culture, there is not much conversation involving mental health. The culture revolves around family, gratefulness, and respect. These values are especially prominent after experiencing hardships, colonization, poverty, and poor living conditions. Most adults experienced trauma before they moved to the states, creating the idea that because they had rougher hardships and childhood experiences, their children’s hardships are not as valued. After overcoming these hardships, we are just taught to be grateful. For example, in the Philippines, there is a saying called “utang na loob” which means “you are forever in debt.” We are told to be resilient when it comes to facing challenges, but in reality we often act to please others and not discuss hardships. If one does complain, they are told “well, you haven’t walked in my shoes” or “people have it so much worse,” inferring they had no right to complain about their life. It’s terrifying speaking up and asking for help, especially when there is a possibility of being scolded and guilt-tripped into being “ungrateful” or “unappreciative.” Everything must be pleasant the whole time and everyone must meet their high standards. Seeking mental health treatment is not a sign of weakness and failure. It is okay to ask for help and it is our duty as a community to break the stigma against mental health. 

Lack of Exposure/Resources 

Another reason why Asian Americans avoid seeking assistance for mental health issues is due the lack of exposure and resources. Asking for help already may not be easy for others, but many Asian Americans have extra barriers that can prevent them from seeking the treatment they need. Due to the lack of discussion of mental health, many Asian Americans are not as educated about the types of treatments that they can seek. They may not be able to identify their symptoms or emotions, nor know when it is time to ask for help. Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge the lack of diversity in the mental health provider workforce. People who identify as Asian share different ethnicities, experiences, and struggles and it’s important to acknowledge that. 

While it can be difficult to find a therapist already, many Asian Americans face an extra barrier. There is a prominent barrier in language with nearly one in three Asian Americans speaking English less than very well. In the mental health field, there is a rise in younger therapists, and with that they may not speak the language as fluently as the older generation, leading to a deficit in a solid resource. Individuals with limited English proficiency may not fully comprehend what resources qualify for them nor be able to express how they really feel in their second language. With this, they often adhere to native values and need a mental health provider who has cultural humility and understands the unique Asian American culture and community. 

My Personal Experience With Mental Health as an Asian American

I am a second-generation Filipino American who was born to Filipino immigrants. Growing up, I was never exposed to the words mental health and its importance. It was not because my parents were trying to conceal the topic to me, but because they were not exposed to mental health themselves. To many Asian Americans, especially immigrants, the importance and concept of mental health was foreign. When ideas are foreign, they are often shut down or brushed off. They do not recognize the importance without the education of mental health’s significance. As I grew older, I experienced stressors and changes in life that I could not control. I experienced hypersomnia, lack of motivation, anxiety attacks, poor self esteem, and other symptoms I did not think were significant enough to bring attention to, even when it interfered with my work and interactions with others. If I complained, I would be scolded for not appreciating what I have when so many other people have it much worse for me. Responses like that caused me to suppress my emotions, invalidate my feelings, and further intensify my negative mental state. It was difficult, but I had to take that extra step for myself to seek treatment. When finding a therapist, it was hard trying to find someone who understood my Asian American struggles and values. It’s not that easy or common to have a deep conversation with my parents, especially about my feelings or mental health. Once I did find an Asian American therapist, I was able to identify and release those extreme emotions, which further boosted my mood, sleeping habits, and relationships with others. They accommodated my culture and helped me find coping skills that made it possible for me to heal. 

Moving Forward 

While there are a variety of mental illnesses related to women ranging from adolescence and puberty to infertility and menopause, there is still research and work that need to be done on identifying and examining mental health by gender. Taking this topic of interest seriously can drastically improve the quality of life for millions of women and it is important to destigmatize women’s mental health because no one should have to suffer in silence. 

While it may not be the most-discussed subject, mental health awareness is important in all communities and all cultures. It is important to acknowledge the and confront the mental health barriers in the Asian American community to improve the wellbeing of society as a whole and destigmatize mental health in Asian Americans. Mental illness is not associated with failure, weakness, or sin. Your feelings and experiences are valid and it’s okay to seek treatment. When we find those in the community who share the same experiences, we find that sense of belonging and open the path of healing. 

How Norooz Can Help 

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (California), 23.3% of AAPI adults agreed to receive mental health treatment in 2019. It is clear that Asian Americans are less likely to go through mental health treatment and some may see emotions as a sign of weakness. The Norooz Clinic Foundation offers numerous types of therapy: individual, family, couples, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and VR (Virtual Reality) Therapy with languages in English, Spanish, Farsi, and Tagalog. 

Depending on the service provided, each session is 50-90 minutes and clients can meet their therapist via Telehealth (online) or in-person at the NCF office in Santa Ana. The Norooz Clinic is currently accepting the insurance companies, Blue Shield of CA, Magellan, and Cigna. As well as, NCF is offering a sliding scale fee that applies to regular therapy and psychological testing. NCF provides a number of weekly peer support groups weekly where individuals can freely share their challenges, learn how to cope, and discuss a number of mental health topics.

References 

Artiga, Samantha, and Nirmita Panchal. “Gaps in Mental Health Care for Asian and Pacific Islander People and Other People of Color.” KFF, 2 Feb. 2023, www.kff.org/policy-watch/gaps-in-mental-health-care-for-asian-and-pacific-islander-peo ple-and-other-people-of-color/#:~:text=In%202021%2C%2016%25%20of%20Asian,bet ween%20NHOPI%20and%20White%20adults. 

Nishi, Koko.“Mental Health among Asian-Americans.” American Psychological Association, 2012, www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/ethnicity-health/asian-american/article-mental-health. 

Hill, Latoya, et al. “Key Data on Health and Health Care by Race and Ethnicity.” KFF, 10 July 2023, www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/report/key-data-on-health-and-health-care-b y-race-and-ethnicity/.