Breaking Barriers: Asian American Mental Health Care
May is both AAPI heritage month and mental health awareness month. Although this should not be the only time we talk about either of these topics, it is a good reminder to think about where the Asian American community is in relation to their mental health journey.
When we talk about the AAPI group, we must first acknowledge that this community comprises 50 subpopulations with very diverse cultures, religions, histories, and languages. AAPIs collectively speak more than 100 languages (1). Even within the Chinese American community alone, there are Cantonese speakers, Mandarin speakers, and other older generations who only speak regional dialects. But since most studies about this diverse community present their data as a collective group, we will explore the mental health challenges and barriers hindering AAPIs as a group, for now.
The Landscape of Asian American Mental Health
Despite the growing recognition of mental health issues across demographics, Asian Americans continue to face significant disparities in accessing mental health care. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), only about 36% of Asian American adults with a mental illness seek professional help (2).
Barriers to Care
Several factors contribute to the reluctance of Asian Americans to seek mental health support.
Cost:
One barrier is the perceived value and monetary cost of mental health treatment. When asked about the challenges that an Asian American therapist may encounter or observe as they try to reach the AAPI community, therapist Alex Ly, LMFT explained, “The issue of paying for therapy out of pocket is a challenge especially when client’s do not really understand how therapy can be beneficial. It’s common to believe that therapy is just ‘talking to someone,’ or ‘paying someone to listen’ which undermines the value that therapy can bring.”
Language barrier:
Language and cultural barriers also present significant obstacles to accessing care. Many Asian Americans, particularly immigrants and first-generation individuals, face challenges navigating the complex mental health system due to language barriers and cultural differences. The scarcity of mental health professionals who speak Asian languages and understand cultural nuances further compounds these challenges.
Impact of Stigma:
One key factor is the stigma deeply ingrained within Asian cultures surrounding mental illness. In a study conducted between 2016-2017 about barriers to treatment receipt in Asian Americans, about 30% believed they should resolve the mental health issues themselves and 20% reported feeling ashamed about receiving mental health care (3). Mental health concerns are often viewed as a personal failing rather than a legitimate medical issue, leading to shame and reluctance to seek help. Moreover, the emphasis on family and community harmony can create pressure to conceal mental health struggles, further exacerbating the stigma.
There are often misconceptions about mental health care and therapy. Alex Ly, LMFT described, “Some misconceptions I’ve encountered was the idea that I help ‘crazy’ people or people with ‘mental illness.’ Most of my clients are seemingly well to do individuals who struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, or this sense that they are not good enough. While there is a diagnostic and medical element, most of my clients who come into my office are ‘normal’ individuals who have jobs, relationships, and families. They might not appear to be struggling on the outside but on the inside they are. And our job is to help them work through their internal struggles.”
And as an Asian American psychiatrist, I have heard various misconceptions about medications and mental health treatments as well. Some of which includes how medications can change one’s personality or that medication will lead to mental illness. Individuals have also insisted that all they need are their families (and mental health treatment was unnecessary), not knowing that maladaptive coping has been straining their relationships.
The pervasive stigma surrounding mental health not only deters individuals from seeking help but also perpetuates a cycle of silence and suffering. Unaddressed mental health issues can lead to serious consequences, including increased risk of suicide, substance abuse, and diminished quality of life. Oftentimes professional services are reserved as a last resort and care is delayed until the condition is severe.
Breaking the Silence
I have only scratched the surface of the obstacles (internal and external) preventing one from accessing care. The path to destigmatizing mental health within the Asian American community begins with open dialogue and culturally sensitive outreach. By fostering conversations about mental health within families, schools, and community organizations, maybe we can chip away at the walls of silence and shame. Providing culturally competent mental health services, including language interpretation and culturally tailored approaches, is essential in making care more accessible and inclusive.
Education plays a crucial role in challenging misconceptions and promoting mental health literacy within the Asian American community. By raising awareness about the prevalence of mental health issues and highlighting available resources, we empower individuals to prioritize their well-being and seek help without fear of judgment or shame. Let’s take this month as a reminder, a beginning, to cultivate a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and not alone on our journey to wellness.
If you are seeking holistic, culturally sensitive, mental health care; feel free to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consult here to see if I may be a good fit for your needs.
If you are located in California and looking for a culturally competent therapist for anxiety or trauma, check out Alex Ly, LFMT’s website here.
Alex Ly, LMFT