Notes

Mental health issues are often stigmatized in Asian cultures. They can be seen as a source of shame, both for the individual experiencing them and for their family. The model minority sterotype, which potrays Asians as overachieving, successful, and emotionally stable, exacerbates this issue, as people may fear that admitting to mental health problems would lead to them being perceived as failures. As such, they can often be denied or ignored, with many people feeling pressured to "tough it out" or handle their problems privately. This can lead to a lack of support for those who truly need help.

This denial can be traced back to older generations of immigrants. With them having faced hardships and adversity themselves, often as immigrants who may not have been exposed to the concept of mental health issues as it is understood today, many have developed a kind of "push through" mentality.

In order to address these challenges and improve mental health in Asian communities, Asian households have to be made aware about mental health issues and their legitimacy. Additionally, support systems should be culturally sensitive, as understanding the nuances of the unique challenges Asian students face can help them to provide better care. Lastly, it is important to understand that no matter how okay someone might seem, they might be going through a lot. So be kind to everyone.