Asian Pacific Islander mental health: Challenges, strengths, and heroes

This occurs when someone is assumed to be foreign-born. It may also be assumed that this person doesn’t speak English. Questions that uphold this stereotype include: Where are you from?, Where are you really from?, and How do you say (or write) _____ in your language? Being treated like an outsider based on your race increases feelings of isolation.

The “model minority” myth gives the impression that API Americans are always successful and no longer face social barriers. This myth minimizes the very real needs of API Americans.

First-generation immigrants, particularly from conflict areas, may experience trauma. Trauma can be passed down to their children and later generations. AAPIs with a long family history in the U.S. may have compounded trauma due to racial discrimination.

Across API cultures, stigma around mental health often leads to shame and guilt. Most API cultures are collectivist. This means the needs of the group are more important than the needs of the individual. Collectivist cultures often place high value on reputation and relationships. This can cause lower engagement with mental health treatment. People may also be more likely to hide mental health challenges. The South Asian Public Health Association reports that U.S. South Asians often express greater stigma toward mental health conditions than other groups.

Cultural perspectives around body image, skin color, and facial features also influence the mental health of API Americans. For many East Asian cultures, especially those in China, Japan, and Korea, maintaining a light skin tone and thin frame is highly favorable. Those with “unfavorable” traits may be subject to the stress of societal standards. This contributes to poor mental health, including eating disorders and body dissatisfaction.

Children of first-generation immigrants are expected to translate for older family members. They also often serve as caregivers for younger children. Parents may have high expectations of their children’s academic performance. Children may be reminded of the sacrifices their parents made for them to have educational opportunities. This pressure can lead to increased anxiety.

Religious minorities in the U.S., such as Muslims and Sikhs, are often discriminated against for their customary ways of dressing and beliefs. They bear the brunt of racial profiling due to Islamophobia, as people also may not know that Sikhism is not the same as Islam.

Access to mental health care is one of the largest barriers to well-being for API Americans. Almost a third of Asian Americans do not speak English fluently. Only 3.3% of the U.S. psychology workforce is of Asian descent and less than 1% of the U.S. psychology workforce is of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander descent. There is a high need for support that matches the linguistic and cultural needs of these populations. There are also a high number of undocumented immigrants who are unable to get the insurance they need. While the Affordable Care Act has closed much of this gap, disparities remain and must continue to be addressed.

Hate crimes against Asian Americans rose significantly within the first two years of COVID-19. This has had a direct impact on the mental health of those within these communities. Research shows that anxiety about leaving the home disproportionately affected API Americans compared to other groups during COVID-19. It is unclear what exactly contributed to this, but it is hypothesized that fear of violence and harassment played a role. This identity-based hate has had an enduring effect in the post-Covid era.

A person’s cultural identity develops as they adopt (or reject) the beliefs, behaviors, and ideals of the communities they belong to. A strong sense of ethnic identity is linked to lower suicide risk for people of API descent. This cultural identification can also lead to higher resilience in the face of racial discrimination.

There is strong evidence that community plays an important role in the well-being of API individuals. Many people often find support among religious community members, family, friends, and other loved ones. While mental health treatment may not be commonly sought in these communities, there is strength in finding community-centered care right for each individual.

People of API descent are more likely to seek the support of traditional healers than Western medical services. Many API cultures view the mind and the body as interconnected. Traditional healers work within this framework, using natural herbs, acupuncture, massage, ayurveda, or other techniques to heal the mind and body. Traditional healers are also sought out for their ability to connect with the spiritual realm. This is important as many API cultures may view mental health challenges as spiritual illnesses. Working with traditional healers can help people find strength in the cultural healing wisdom passed down through generations.