Seeking Help Within the AAPI Community: The Shame and Guilt

Within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, asking for help can sometimes evoke emotions of guilt and shame. It’s influenced by a myriad of factors, including cultural values, societal expectations, and personal experiences. In this article, we explore underlying reasons why individuals within the AAPI community might feel this way.

Filial Piety and Burden:

Filial piety, deeply rooted in many AAPI cultures, emphasizes the respect, obedience, and care for one's parents and elders. This cultural value can create a sense of duty and responsibility within individuals, making it challenging to ask for help without experiencing guilt. Seeking assistance from others can evoke feelings of burden, as it may imply that one is placing undue strain on their family or community. Consequently, individuals may choose to bear their struggles silently, internalizing their challenges rather than seeking the help they need.

Cultural Values and Expectations:

It’s important to note that the AAPI community encompasses diverse cultures, each with its own unique set of values and expectations. However, there are common cultural traits such as self-reliance, perseverance, and maintaining harmony. The ability to handle challenges independently is often perceived as a virtue and a source of pride. Therefore, asking for support from others can be seen as a sign of weakness, disrupting the ideal of self-sufficiency and potentially exposing vulnerabilities that may tarnish one's social standing or reputation.

Stigma Surrounding Mental Health:

First, here are some general statistics to start out with. (1):

• Over 50 million U.S. adults (20.78%) experience a mental illness.
• Over 12.1 million (4.84%) individuals reported having serious thoughts of suicide.
• 42% of adults reported not being able to afford the treatment they needed. 

Now, here are some statistics about AAPI communities. (2):

• 13.8% of AAPI adults reported having a mental illness.
• 79.6% of AAPI adults received no treatment for their mental illness in 2020.
• Studies show that 33% of Korean American adults experience symptoms of depression, while 16% of Chinese Americans experience similar symptoms. 78% of Filipino American women rate their mental health as “excellent or very good,” compared to 45% of Chinese American women and 50% of Vietnamese American women.

Overall, Asian Americans are less likely than other racial groups to seek mental health services. Stigma surrounding mental health remains prevalent in many AAPI cultures, creating an additional barrier to seeking help. Deeply ingrained beliefs that prioritize stoicism and the repression of emotions can make it difficult for individuals to acknowledge their mental health struggles. Seeking help for psychological well-being may be perceived as an admission of personal failure, further fueling shame and guilt.

Breaking the Cycle of Shame and Guilt:

To address the challenges surrounding help-seeking in the AAPI community, it is crucial to foster understanding, compassion, and empathy. Having open conversations about mental health and the importance of seeking assistance is an important step. Education and awareness campaigns can help debunk stereotypes and reduce the stigma associated with asking for help. And by highlighting positive narratives of resilience and strength that involve seeking support, individuals can be empowered to prioritize their well-being without guilt or shame.

Moreover, community support systems, mental health professionals, and culturally sensitive resources play a crucial role in addressing the unique needs of the AAPI community. Providing accessible and linguistically appropriate services can help bridge the gap between individuals' hesitancy and their willingness to seek help.

Additional Articles:

• How To Talk To Asian Elders About Getting Mental Health Help
• Confronting mental health barriers in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community
• ‘A collective effort’: Asian Americans work to improve mental health care
  

Additional Resources:

• The Chinatown Service Center's behavioral health team is offering on call support at: 213-808-1700
• The Chinatown Service Center and City of Monterey Park will offer drop-in, multilingual counseling services on select days through Feb. 3 at Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library:
  318 S. Ramona Ave.
• The Asian Mental Health Collective has a U.S. therapist directory with professionals who specialize in serving the AAPI community.
• AMHC also has a range of free mental health support groups.
• The AAPI Equity Alliance has put together a resource directory for those in need of trauma support
• NAMI California’s list of AAPI mental health resources
• The Asians For Mental Health Therapist Directory
• The California Victims Compensation Board reimburses mental health services for victims and their families.
• Changing Tides, part of the Little Tokyo Service Center, offers stipends for AAPI youth seeking therapy. (https://thechangingtides.org/)

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. These services are free and confidential.

1. Mental Health America. (n.d.). State of Mental Health in America - Asian American Pacific Islander. https://mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt37922/2020NSDUHAsianSlides072522.pdf