IAC examines Asian mental health stigma

Deborah Dong, a licensed clinical social worker based in New York City, held a workshop exploring mental health issues in the Asian American community in Levering Hall on Monday in an event hosted by the Inter-Asian Council (IAC).

Dong began by examining the term “model minority” and its effect on the Asian American community. She explained that although such a stereotype may sound positive, its effects can be harmful to the Asian American population and their mental health by creating unrealistic expectations.

She also addressed the stigma surrounding mental health among Asian Americans and contrasted mental health illness with society’s perception and treatment of physical, visible illnesses. Dong specifically talked about depression and anxiety, the most common mental illnesses among young people.

“Especially in the Asian American community, I’ve noticed that people don’t even want to consider that they have a mental health diagnosis,” Dong said. “With mental health, it’s almost like that person did something to wrong or that person did something to cause it,” Dong said.

Dong also touched on the disconnect between students and their parents, saying that since parents do not see what goes on behind the scenes in a child’s life, they do not notice when a mental illness develops.

“[Parents] emphasize doing well in school, and if [their child] is doing well in school, they think that everything is okay,” Dong said. “What [parents] fail to see is that doing well in school is not as simple as just getting good grades.”

Dong cited statistics showing that although Asian Americans experience mental health conditions at about the same rate as the rest of the population, they are far less likely to seek help.

“I think in general, for Asian American families, we don’t really talk about feelings that much,” Dong said. “It doesn’t really reflect highly on our social status... I think traditionally and culturally, we are often encouraged to deal with things on our own. It’s seen as a sign of strength if we are able to solve problems without help.”

She emphasized that stress is normal and common among college students and can be brought on by relationships, academics and adjusting to college life. Dong listed ways to cope with stress, which she called stress buffers. These include seeking support from friends and family, self-care and taking time to do things you enjoy.

Participants then broke into groups of three for a role-playing exercise in which one member pretended to have a mental illness and the others played the role of supportive friends. Dong stressed the importance of having a strong support base for those combating mental health.

“Especially for people who are depressed... Sometimes helping them to figure out what their emotions are is actually a good thing,” Dong said.

Dong then shared the advice that her own patients have given about suffering from a mental health condition.

“They really wished they could’ve talked to someone earlier,” Dong said. “They seem to crave acceptance. They want to know that the people around them still love them and will still be there for them and that things will be okay in the end.”

Freshman Yae Won Kim, a member of IAC, said that the talk made her realize the severity of depression and anxiety in college students.

“The statistics made me understand [it] more, like when she said a fourth of people show symptoms of [mental illness]. That was kind of crazy. I didn’t really expect that,” Kim said.

Freshman and IAC member Sarah Rhim agreed.

“It’s an issue that not a lot of people address, especially among Asian Americans, so it’s something that we’re interested in,” she said. “I was aware of the model minority and the low amount of people, specifically Asians, that get mental health treatment, but I didn’t know it was this severe. I feel like we have to take greater action, especially raise awareness and try to eliminate the stigma of what mental health is. Not just for Asian Americans but for everyone in general.”