Op-Ed: Shattering the Asian American myth about mental health

By Kathleen Yi & Allen Soong 

In Rowland Heights in Los Angeles County, conversations about mental health are often met with silence.

Growing up in this region, we often would hear phrases like “don’t air our family business to outsiders,” or “you are too emotional; you are fine,” whenever emotional struggles arose.

A vibrant and diverse community where over 60% of the population is Asian American, according to the 2024 U.S. Census, seeking therapy in Rowland Heights is still viewed as a weakness, a failure, or a disgrace to the family name.

Conflict is usually avoided in older generations of Asian Americans and stems from a belief that it should be resolved subtly in order to “save face”. However, this cultural stigma comes at a cost – one that is measurable, preventable, and requires our urgent attention.

As social work students and Asian community members, we believe it’s time for Rowland Heights to break this silence and normalize mental health support in the Asian community as an essential part of our overall well-being.

The rise of mental health issues in Asian American individuals is found to be one of the more concerning statistics compared to other ethnic groups. Recently, a study published in Contemporary Family Therapy reveals that Asians underutilize mental health services due to many factors including language barriers, cultural stigma, lack of education, and mistrust in healthcare providers.

The biggest factor contributing to the underutilization of mental health services would be the cultural stigma and shame amongst Asian groups. Having first-hand experience of collectivist and traditional culture, there are many deep-rooted biases regarding different beliefs between older and younger generations such as emotional expression and communication styles.

As the overall stigma of mental health is being slowly broken by younger generations, the impact of intergenerational trauma should still be recognized in Asian culture.  

How do we fix this? Spreading awareness is a key aspect that keeps individuals informed and promotes destigmatization. Predominant Asian populations such as in Rowland Heights can benefit from a localized mental health education initiative designed specifically for its community, offering accessible resources and psychoeducation. 

The initiative would involve bilingual workshops in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and other prevalent languages, hosted at trusted community spaces like schools, churches, temples, and senior centers. By partnering with culturally competent mental health professionals, these workshops can address common myths, such as the belief that mental health services are not effective, and provide accurate information regarding the impacts of evidence-based interventions such as Problem-Solving Therapy (PST) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), as well as how and where to seek professional help. 

Why would this work? Research shows that mental health support is more effective when it’s designed with culture in mind. According to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Lancet Psychiatry, culturally adapted mental health interventions significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in Asian communities. Their study found that modifying therapy to align with cultural values such as incorporating traditional beliefs, using familiar language, and addressing family dynamics, makes mental health care more effective and accessible. If Rowland Heights introduces programs that respect these cultural factors, more people may feel comfortable seeking help, leading to a more healthier and open community.

When communities see mental health as part of holistic health, just like going to the doctor for a physical ailment, the fear and shame decrease. Additionally, when trusted leaders, such as teachers, faith leaders, or respected elders, use their authority to advocate for mental health in their community, the message resonates more deeply and has the potential to create a lasting, powerful impact on Asian cultures.  

A program like this wouldn’t just raise awareness; it would save lives. With Rowland Heights’ strong sense of cultural identity and community pride, we have the power to lead by example. By investing in mental health education tailored to our unique population, we can create a ripple effect that normalizes help-seeking behaviors, strengthens families, and fosters a more compassionate future for our community. 

Let us together be the force to break the long-lasted silence around mental health in Rowland Heights and similar communities.