Asian Americans & Mental HealthAwareness and Overcoming Stigmas in

Our Communities

Adapted from Sophia Quattlebaum &Adapted from Sophia Quattlebaum & Emily KimEmily Kim

APALI YLA 2013APALI YLA 2013

The Path to Wellness: A “Big Picture” View of Mental Health

Beyond the Tip of the IcebergBeyond the Tip of the Iceberg

What is Wellness?

Life as a learning experience: a choice, process, Life as a learning experience: a choice, process, lifestyle, a way of thinking & beinglifestyle, a way of thinking & being

The integration of body, mind, and spirit – the The integration of body, mind, and spirit – the understanding that everything you do, think, feel, and understanding that everything you do, think, feel, and believe has an impact on your state of healthbelieve has an impact on your state of health

The loving acceptance of yourselfThe loving acceptance of yourself

• Sources:Travis. J.W., & Regina, R.S. (2001). Simply Well. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press;Sources:Travis. J.W., & Regina, R.S. (2001). Simply Well. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press;

• Travis. J.W., & Regina, R.S. (2004). Wellness Workbook (3Travis. J.W., & Regina, R.S. (2004). Wellness Workbook (3 rdrd ed.) Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts ed.) Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts

Two Paradigms for Living Life

Treatment Paradigm

Rejection and “fixing”Rejection and “fixing”

Human doing Human doing (actions/behaviors) (actions/behaviors)

A problem is perceived as A problem is perceived as something to overcomesomething to overcome

Focus is on treating the Focus is on treating the symptoms, not the symptoms, not the underlying problemunderlying problem

Wellness Paradigm

Acceptance and healingAcceptance and healing

Human being (underlying Human being (underlying beliefs/ feelings)beliefs/ feelings)

A problem is perceived as A problem is perceived as something to be conscious something to be conscious of, to learn from, as a signal of, to learn from, as a signal to move towards a potentialto move towards a potential

Focus is on the multi-Focus is on the multi-dimensions of an issuedimensions of an issue

Source: Travis, J.W. & Callander, M.G. (1990). Wellness for helping professional Source: Travis, J.W. & Callander, M.G. (1990). Wellness for helping professional creating compassionate cultures. Asheville, NC: Wellness Associates Publications.creating compassionate cultures. Asheville, NC: Wellness Associates Publications.

Just as we have the power to impact our environment, much of what we are and who we become are based on our environment.

Our friends, family, community, religion, cultural background, society, etc. can impact our mental health immensely.

Environmental Factors on Mental Health

Statistics: Asian Americans

• Collectivism vs. Individualism Collectivism vs. Individualism (problems should be kept within (problems should be kept within

the family)the family)

• Acculturation (or lack of; feeling Acculturation (or lack of; feeling strange about therapy – fears strange about therapy – fears

around confidentiality)around confidentiality)

• Parenting styles and generational Parenting styles and generational relationships (parent/ child)relationships (parent/ child)

• Age of immigration (American Age of immigration (American born vs. immigrant child)born vs. immigrant child)

• Stereotypes (Model Minority)Stereotypes (Model Minority)

• 15% of grades 9-12 female AA students attempted suicide (OMH, 2009 from CDC , 2012)

• AA adolescent boys are twice as likely as whites to have been physically abused, and 3x times as likely to report sexual abuse (NAWHO, 2001)

• 70% of SE Asian refugees are found to have posttraumatic stress disorder (NAMI, 2011)

Social RolesSocial Roles

Possible Factors affecting help for AAs• Lack of psycho-education/not

knowing available resources

• Shame and stigma (saving face)

• Language & financial barriers

• Cultural & religious factors

• Lack of self-acceptance or self-realization

• Difficulties staying in treatment

• Somatization (physical ailments linked to psychiatric) of illness

A mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’sthinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and dailyfunctioning.

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, orsocioeconomic class.

Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack ofcharacter or poor upbringing.

Mental illnesses are treatable and most who are diagnosed witha serious mental illness can experience relief from theirsymptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.

What is Mental Illness?

• Education in Asia• School system: discrimination in education (Model Minority Myth)

• Expectations from school, parents, and other students• Target of bullying due to MMM (MIT – made in Taiwan, UCLA – Univ of Caucasians Living among Asians)

• Center of two very different cultures

Stressors for Asian Youth

Responsible Healing in Our Communities

Shame and Stigma

Mental Health Statistics An attempt to label a particular An attempt to label a particular

group of people as less worthy of group of people as less worthy of respect than othersrespect than others

A mark of shame, disgrace or A mark of shame, disgrace or disapproval that results in disapproval that results in

discriminationdiscrimination

Not just a matter of using the Not just a matter of using the wrong word or action – it’s about wrong word or action – it’s about

disrespectdisrespect

-NAMI Website (Facts about -NAMI Website (Facts about Stigma)Stigma)

• 1 in 5 Americans live with a mental disorder

• Estimated 2/3rds of those do not seek treatment or help

• Those living with mental illnesses still experience discrimination despite the Americans with Disabilities Act

• Stigma creates discrimination

What is Stigma?What is Stigma?

Ways to Alleviate Stigma1.1. Use respectful language – put the person before the illnessUse respectful language – put the person before the illness2.2. Include mental illness in your discussions about acceptance of Include mental illness in your discussions about acceptance of

diversity – just like talking about cultural diversity, religious diversity – just like talking about cultural diversity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, etc. beliefs, sexual orientation, etc.

• Provide an attitude of inclusiveness in your work/school Provide an attitude of inclusiveness in your work/school environmentenvironment

• Become an advocate: Become an advocate: • write letters to newspapers and lawmakerswrite letters to newspapers and lawmakers• speak out and challenge stereotypesspeak out and challenge stereotypes• inform your community and teach othersinform your community and teach others1.1. Listen with compassionListen with compassion2.2. Form a supportive group for an individual if they need itForm a supportive group for an individual if they need it3.3. Keep a list of resources handy.Keep a list of resources handy. Source: NAMI’s Facts about Stigma and Illness in Diverse Communities Source: NAMI’s Facts about Stigma and Illness in Diverse Communities

Questions? Comments?

Thank you!