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Asian Americans & Mental Health

APALI YLA 2013. Asian Americans & Mental Health. Awareness and Overcoming Stigmas in Our Communities. Adapted from Sophia Quattlebaum & Emily Kim. The Path to Wellness: A “Big Picture” View of Mental Health. Beyond the Tip of the Iceberg. What is Wellness?.

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Asian Americans & Mental Health

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  1. APALI YLA 2013 Asian Americans & Mental Health • Awareness and Overcoming Stigmas in Our Communities Adapted from Sophia Quattlebaum & Emily Kim

  2. The Path to Wellness: A “Big Picture” View of Mental Health Beyond the Tip of the Iceberg

  3. What is Wellness? • Life as a learning experience: a choice, process, lifestyle, a way of thinking & being • The integration of body, mind, and spirit – the understanding that everything you do, think, feel, and believe has an impact on your state of health • The loving acceptance of yourself • Sources:Travis. J.W., & Regina, R.S. (2001). Simply Well. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press; • Travis. J.W., & Regina, R.S. (2004). Wellness Workbook (3rd ed.) Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts

  4. Two Paradigms for Living Life • Treatment Paradigm Wellness Paradigm • Acceptance and healing • Human being (underlying beliefs/ feelings) • A problem is perceived as something to be conscious of, to learn from, as a signal to move towards a potential • Focus is on the multi-dimensions of an issue • Rejection and “fixing” • Human doing (actions/behaviors) • A problem is perceived as something to overcome • Focus is on treating the symptoms, not the underlying problem Source: Travis, J.W. & Callander, M.G. (1990). Wellness for helping professional creating compassionate cultures. Asheville, NC: Wellness Associates Publications.

  5. Environmental Factors on Mental Health • 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.

  6. Statistics: Asian Americans • Collectivism vs. Individualism (problems should be kept within the family) • Acculturation (or lack of; feeling strange about therapy – fears around confidentiality) • Parenting styles and generational relationships (parent/ child) • Age of immigration (American born vs. immigrant child) • Stereotypes (Model Minority) Social Roles • 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)

  7. 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

  8. What is Mental Illness? A mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or socioeconomic class. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable and most who are diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.

  9. Stressors for Asian Youth • 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

  10. Shame and Stigma • Responsible Healing in Our Communities

  11. Mental Health Statistics • An attempt to label a particular group of people as less worthy of respect than others • A mark of shame, disgrace or disapproval that results in discrimination • Not just a matter of using the wrong word or action – it’s about disrespect • -NAMI Website (Facts about Stigma) What is 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

  12. Ways to Alleviate Stigma • Use respectful language – put the person before the illness • Include mental illness in your discussions about acceptance of diversity – just like talking about cultural diversity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, etc. • Provide an attitude of inclusiveness in your work/school environment • Become an advocate: • write letters to newspapers and lawmakers • speak out and challenge stereotypes • inform your community and teach others • Listen with compassion • Form a supportive group for an individual if they need it • Keep a list of resources handy. • Source: NAMI’s Facts about Stigma and Illness in Diverse Communities

  13. Questions? Comments? • Thank you!

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