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Post by Ibtesam Haider on Oct 22, 2015 16:08:15 GMT -4
It becomes a social stigma for Asians and Asian Americans when an individual from these communities suffer from “mental issues”. However, I think people should be talking about their problems openly because there have been suicide cases in the past related to depression. Being open about one’s problems helps with mental problems the individual is having. I think it’s absolutely necessary to have therapy sessions in universities because it gives a person a chance to express what he/she is going through and also for the university to understand the needs of their students. This will provide students with the confidence to perform better in school and in life. I think this also should be applied in the workplace and/or the professional world to have therapy sessions once a month with the employees and employers, in order to make the work environment more friendly, efficient and productive.
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Post by Ali Mahmood on Oct 22, 2015 16:38:03 GMT -4
As a child of immigrant parents I can relate to the difficulties of expressing issues with my parents. All mental health issues are considered weak and something someone is supposed to push through unless you are “crazy”. I have a cousin with schizophrenia and GAD who was not able to seek help for his conditions until he was 24. There was so much pressure on him to hide his illness that no one knew what he was going through. He is now living alone on disability and my Father is the only one of his 15 uncles and aunts (including his own father) that tries to reach out to him and help him. I am not sure what can be done though since many of the cultural stigmas aren’t “made in America” in so much that they are imported from the foreign countries these families come from.
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Post by Tobi Tayo on Oct 22, 2015 16:55:34 GMT -4
It was interesting to read about the cultural expectations for Asian/Asian Americans dealing with mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. The expectations put on the individuals to always excel in the family and always be the best in the society really takes a toll mentally on them. Having depression or showing a sign of weakness shouldn't be shunned because it will cause individuals to bottle up their feelings and suffer with the illness. Asian communities need to be aware of the impact that these mental illness can cause to their children and be more supportive when their kids are under stress and should promote going to therapy before they take a wrong step and try to commit suicide.
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Post by Andrew Hariraj on Oct 22, 2015 20:13:16 GMT -4
The article explores the impacts of cultural pressures on mental health. A major issue that acts as a catalyst to suffering from mental illness is the lack of a support system. As the article stated, the Asian culture frowns upon openly speaking of such issues and seems to turn a blind eye on any issues that their relatives may have. Although it is highlighted as an issue arising from Asian culture, there are instances of keeping quiet about conditions in many cultures. Thus, it is imperative that more focus be put on providing access to a support system. The perspective of pressure and performance also plays an important role into how this situation arises. For instance, the article states that parental pressure is seen as a positive force. Therefore, this can provide a higher baseline for one's expected performance. This will ultimately create more issues with the perception of pressure and maintaining such performance levels. It is difficult to change this aspect within a culture overnight. Therefore, it is imperative that individuals feeling this pressure have access to a support system.
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Post by David Whitfield on Oct 22, 2015 20:54:01 GMT -4
What a fantastic article. I had heard that pressures were high on Asian American students to preform well in school, but I had no idea that those pressures were that high. High enough that many young Asian American students choose to take their own lives rather than shame themselves or their families. Even more sad that their families are shamed because of the life ending route they chose. Sadly these students cannot reach out for help because of the stigma attached to failure and mental illness is worse than the stigma of failure. I’ve said it once and I will say it again. When you have the proper information then you can be practice rather than reactive. It can be the difference between saving someones life and zipping a body bag.
Kudos to the school for understanding that there was an issue and that it could and must be dealt with from with in the school itself. Also not just making a program and saying “come on in, we can help you”. They are making proems tailored to the culture it needs to treat. This issue must be brought to light so the students involved know they get seek help without furthering their turmoil. This help needs to made even more available to Asian American students as well as any other students whom are under extreme pressures. Also the students families must involved somehow, someway as this is a multi pronged issue. This is not a final solution but it looks like a good start in the right direction.
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