With May comes not only Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, but also Mental Health Awareness Month. Despite growing awareness of mental health issues, stigma surrounding the topic still runs rampant through the Asian American community.

As a result, Asian Americans are less likely to reach out for professional help, according to a research paper in the National Library of Medicine. Addressing this stigma is a crucial step toward improving mental health within the Asian American community and subverting harmful misconceptions.

Until recently, I too did not believe in mental health. As an Asian, I grew up with little comprehension of mental health. A lot of my emotional challenges and hurdles were dealt with by myself. 

A big part of this routine came from my parents, who were also oblivious to mental health issues. When they faced hard times,  they were often told to suck up their emotions and deal with it, which is an idea commonly coming from mental health stigmas. 

Before, I thought depression came in these meaningless waves where people got sad about something and then would simply get over it. Anxiety was just when someone was stressed. 

Such ignorance was blinding, and I failed to acknowledge serious signs of struggle in those around me. This only changed recently, after one of my close friends opened up to me.

At the end of my 8th-grade year, our school organized a four-day backpacking trip on the beach as a “rite of passage to high school.” However, before we left, my friend told me that she would not be attending the trip for personal reasons.

In her explanation, she revealed her long struggle with depression and that she needed medication to manage the symptoms. While we were away, she planned to attend a group therapy session for her depression, along with suicide prevention.

This was the first time that mental health felt real to me, as it was impacting someone close to me. It made me realize how serious mental health is, and that it is not something to be ignored. 

She was one of the lucky ones who was able to get help. Many other individuals in the Asian American community do not have the same opportunities to get the help they need due to hostility toward mental health topics. 

The Asian American Foundation’s 2024 report Beyond the Surface, offers a comprehensive look into mental health challenges within the Asian American community. Nearly half of the survey of over 1,400 AAPI individuals scored above the threshold of moderate depression. Furthermore, over one-third of respondents said that they avoid talking about their mental health with parents out of fear of causing embarrassment or disappointment, according to TAAF. 

Oftentimes, mental diseases are viewed as signs of weakness and are considered shameful within the community. Not only is this sentiment untrue, but it also creates a sense of guilt in those who are struggling most.

The challenges Asian Americans face surrounding mental health are complex and need to be addressed thoughtfully. Reports such as the one made by TAAF shine light on this pressing issue that many in the community are unaware of or refuse to accept. 

We need open and informed conversations about difficult issues to begin dismantling the stigma that has long been normalized in the community. Conversations should make space for topics that are often left unspoken in Asian households, such as anxiety, depression and suicide, and validate them as serious health concerns. 

By having these discussions, we can shift the perception of mental health struggles and encourage more individuals to seek help from professionals. This way, we can start tearing down the barriers that prevent Asian Americans from healing and reaching out for the mental help they need.