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Mental Health in Asian Communities

Mental health is still a sensitive topic in many Asian countries, where many have not accepted the concept of mental illnesses.One key barrier is the social stigma - it is sometimes believed that declaring mental illnesses bring shame to the individual and the family. If not supported by a positive perspective and effective consultation, the minor stigma of self-identity that Asian Canadians face growing in a bicultural environment would develop into a mental health concern.

According to a study on the ethnic differences in mental health status and service utilization, among those self-reporting fair or poor mental health, only 19.8% in the Chinese (Eastern Asian) group sought help, comparing to 50.8% in the white group. Nevertheless, Asian who self-identify as LGBTQ experience a higher level of stigma as they are more likely to face social rejection.

One’s self-identity and psychological development evolve over time and are shaped by personal experiences. Growing up in a Western country, whose values might be different from the culture of their ethnic background, could lead to conflicts in identity and affect their mental wellness.