The Impact of Stigma on Seeking Mental Health Services

“You’re not depressed, just focus on studying and stop playing video games!” or “Get some rest and eat more, I’m sure you will be fine.” Before seeking professional mental health support, many Asian Americans often hear phrases like, they reflect a deeper cultural stigma surrounding mental health that discourages individuals from seeking the help they need.

Despite experiencing mental health challenges at similar rates to the general U.S. population, Asian Americans are significantly less likely to pursue treatment. Reports show that over 80% of Asian Americans with mental health disorders do not receive treatment (Lipson et al., 2018), they are three times less likely to seek mental health services than their white counterparts (National Study of National Latino and Asian American Study)

The consequences of untreated mental health issues can be severe. According to De Hert et al. (2011), individuals with untreated mental health conditions are at a higher risk of developing serious physical illnesses and may have shorter lifespans. Untreated mental health issues can also lead to substance use problems and exacerbate social challenges such as unemployment and financial instability. Addressing these challenges requires a collective effort to change the narrative surrounding mental health within the community.

What Stigma Exists: 

Dismissiveness

Parents or peers may view mental health challenges as less serious than physical illnesses, often offering unhelpful advice like focusing on academics without understanding the emotional struggles at hand. This can make individuals feel lonely, isolated, and sometimes even abandoned because they cannot talk about it with their parents, with whom they share a deep bond.

Family Reputation/Fear of burdening others

In Asian American families, there is an emphasis on family reputation, the cultural concept of “saving face” prioritizes family honor over individual needs (Augsberger et al., 2015). Asian Americans often adopt a collectivist culture, placing importance on family conformity and group priorities over those of the individual (Karasz, 2019) creating immense pressure to appear strong and competent, seeking professional help may be perceived as a weakness, leading individuals to internalize their struggles and avoid reaching out for support (Naito, 2020). Moreover, Asian American individuals sometimes hesitate to discuss mental health issues with friends, worrying about imposing burdens on them. This stigma can have a profound impact on mental/physical health, leaving many to suffer. (Quartana, 2010; Vohs et al., 2011).

Addressing Stigma

Talk Openly About Mental Health

The first step to addressing stigma is to normalize conversations about mental health. In many Asian American households, mental health remains a taboo subject, but it is a natural part of life that almost all human beings experience. Discussing mental health openly allows individuals to feel understood and accepted. Creating space for these conversations helps those struggling to see that they are not alone and encourages them to seek help.

Friends and family members can become allies, reinforcing the message that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. As the conversation around mental health grows, it can encourage others to join the discussion and seek help when needed.

Know the Facts and Educate Others

Once conversations about mental health become more frequent, the next step is education. Knowing the facts helps debunk common misconceptions and promotes empathy instead of judgment. One common misconception is that mental health struggles are “all in your head,” suggesting that individuals experiencing anxiety or depression are merely making excuses. In reality, mental health challenges arise from a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

Educating ourselves and others about these complexities is vital for dispelling harmful stereotypes and fostering a more supportive environment. As mentioned earlier, untreated mental health issues can have severe consequences, including physical illness and social challenges. By staying informed, we improve our ability to help those in need and contribute to a more compassionate community.

Conclusion

Mental health stigma within the Asian American community presents significant challenges, preventing many individuals from seeking the care they need. This stigma, rooted in dismissiveness and the desire to preserve family reputation, has serious physical, emotional, and social consequences. To overcome these barriers, it is essential to talk openly about mental health and educate ourselves and others about the realities of mental health challenges.

If you are reading this article, you are already taking an important step toward addressing mental health in your life. Keep going, and don’t hesitate to reach out to others who may be struggling. Encourage them to seek the support they need, reminding them that they are not alone. Together, by fostering open conversations and sharing knowledge, we can break the stigma and build a healthier, more compassionate community where everyone feels empowered to seek help.

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References

• Augsberger, A., Yeung, A., Dougher, M., & Hahm, H. C. (2015). Factors influencing the underutilization of mental health services among Asian American women with a history
• DE HERT, M., CORRELL, C. U., BOBES, J., CETKOVICH‐BAKMAS, M., COHEN, D., ASAI, I., DETRAUX, J., GAUTAM, S., MÖLLER, H., NDETEI, D. M., NEWCOMER, J. W., UWAKWE, R., & LEUCHT, S. (2011). Physical illness in patients with severe mental disorders. I. Prevalence, impact of medications and disparities in health care. World Psychiatry, 10(1), 52–77. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2011.tb00014.x
• Karasz, Alison et al. “Mental Health and Stress Among South Asians.” Journal of immigrant and minority health vol. 21,Suppl 1 (2019): 7-14. doi:10.1007/s10903-016-0501-4
• Vohs, K. D., Glass, B. D., Maddox, W. T., & Markman, A. B. (2011). Ego Depletion Is Not Just Fatigue: Evidence From a Total Sleep Deprivation Experiment. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2(2), 166-173. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550610386123 
• Lipson, S. K., Kern, A., Eisenberg, D., & Breland-Noble, A. M. (2018). Mental health disparities among college students of color. Journal of Adolescent Health, 63(3), 348– 356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.04.014
• Naito T, Chin J, Kim TU, Veera S, Jeannette M, Lomiguen CM. Further Reduction in Help-Seeking Behaviors Amidst Additional Barriers to Mental Health Treatment in Asian Populations: A Contemporary Review. Cureus. 2020 Nov 12;12(11):e11455. doi: 10.7759/cureus.11455. PMID: 33329953; PMCID: PMC7733772. Pinillo, Mercedes (2021) “Precursors and outcomes: A look at mental health in relation to homelessness,” Modern Psychological Studies: Vol. 26 : No. 1 , Article 2.
• Quartana PJ, Burns JW. Emotion suppression affects cardiovascular responses to initial and subsequent laboratory stressors. Br J Health Psychol. 2010 Sep;15(Pt 3):511-28. doi: 10.1348/135910709X474613. Epub 2009 Oct 16. PMID: 19840496.