In the last year, we’ve seen a spotlight shine on matters of mental health. Though within some racial groups, the stigma around such matters is greater. Unfortunately this leads to fewer people seeking help. For example, according to the American Psychological Association, Asian-American senior women have a higher suicide rate than any other racial group.
If you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help.. And for those of you in West Side Cleveland, contact us for an appointment. We’re here for you.
According to an article in the Huffington Post:
Asian Americans are almost three times less likely than their white counterparts to seek mental health services.
The subject has remained out of the spotlight in part because Asian-Americans hesitate to speak about their mental health issues from fear of being shameful, experts say. They’re calling for more culturally understanding mental health strategies available in more languages to help the community, as well as a better understanding within the community that mental health problems are normal.
“Our elders are often forgotten,” Dr. Dj Ida, executive director of the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association, told HuffPost. “And after what many of them have been through, they deserve to lead a life with respect and dignity ― particularly those who have experienced trauma. They’ve been through a lot ― they’ve been through hell and back.”
A large number of senior Asian Americans deal with mental health issues, with more than 50 percent in New York City alone expressing symptoms of loneliness or depression, according to a 2016 report. Many of those at risk for depression and suicide are immigrants and refugees, Ida explained. These elders are dealing with trauma as a result of living in war-torn countries, witnessing political upheaval or adapting to life in a foreign land.
Among them are refugees who survived Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime that left more than 1.5 million people dead, many buried in mass graves. There are also those who struggle to deal with memories of communist “re-education” and the Vietnam War. And some senior immigrants still have trauma from adjusting to the U.S. Even if they’ve lived in the country for a while, they can still feel separated by language and culture, Ida said.
Seniors who are isolated are also at risk for depression and suicide. When elderly Asian Americans lose their support systems, like a spouse, or don’t have adult children to care for them, they often find it tough to grapple with their situation, experts say.
Click here for the complete article on the Huffington Post.