AAPI Mental Health
Mental health has become a growing problem as the US population ages, life expectancy increases, and society becomes even more hectic and pressurized. However, it remains buried under societal stigmas and inaccurate stereotypes that make people reluctant to seek help or even admit they have a condition. The Mental Health 360 project was established in March 2015. Initiated by a group of community healthcare providers and local Chinese mental health professionals, this program aims to advocate for resources and promote the overall well-being of our residents.
Services
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Disseminate mental health information through lectures and seminars
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Provision of short-term crisis and aid services for people who have limited medical resources but are in urgent need of services
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Provide suitable treatment and promotion channels for Chinese individuals who need professional mental health services
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Strive to create public health resources for the Asian population
Common Issues
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Adaptive medical barriers: including changes in the living environment and stress related to immigration experiences
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Elderly dementia
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Bereavement (losing loved ones, etc.)
Solutions
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Seeking out community support (church, social activities, support from friends and family, etc.)
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Improve lifestyle (appropriate exercise and meaningful daily arrangements)
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Professional mental counseling
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Medication treatment
Mental Health
Myths
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Asians are the model minority who are supposed to perform perfectly, therefore they do not have a need for mental health services
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Mental illness equals psychosis and has nothing to do with normal people
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Mental illness is for the weak
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Mental illness is a shameful thing
Mental Health
Facts
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Suicide was the leading cause of death for Asians and Pacific Islanders, ages 15 to 24, in 2019 (HHS)
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Asians were 60 percent less likely to have received mental health treatment as compared to non-Hispanic whites (HHS)
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15% of the AAPI population report having mental illness (Mental Health America)
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AAPIs face systemic challenges that impact access to medical services, these include harmful stereotypes, language barriers, and lack of insurance (UCLA)
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Asian Americans are 50% less likely than other racial groups to seek mental health services, because in some Asian cultures, mental health challenges are viewed as a weakness (UCLA)