Asian American & Latino

Mental Health

Awareness and Overcoming Stigmas in

Our Communities

Group 8: Sophia Quattlebaum & Emily Kim

APALI CLP 2013

The Path to Wellness: A “Big Picture” View of Mental Health

Beyond the Tip of the Iceberg

What is Wellness? Life as a learning experience: a choice, process,

lifestyle, a way of thinking & being The integration of body, mind, and spirit – the

understanding that everything you do, think, feel, and believe has an impact of your state of health

The loving acceptance of yourselfSources:Travis. J.W., & Regina, R.S. (2001). Simply Well. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press;

Travis. J.W., & Regina, R.S. (2004). Wellness Workbook (3rd ed.) Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts

Two Paradigms for Living Life

Treatment Paradigm Rejection and “fixing” Human doing (actions/behaviors) A problem is perceived as something to overcome Focus is on treating the symptoms, not the underlying problem

Wellness Paradigm Acceptance and healing Human being (underlying beliefs/ feelings) A problem is perceived as something to be conscious of, to learn from, as a signal to move towards a potential Focused on multi-dimensions of an issue

Source: Travis, J.W. & Callander, M.G. (1990). Wellness for helping professional creating compassionate cultures. Asheville, NC: Wellness Associates Publications.

Just as we have the power to impact our environment, much of what we are and who we become are based on our environment.

Our friends, family, community, religion, cultural background, society, etc. can impact an our mental health immensely.

Environmental Factors on Mental Health

Statistics: Asian Americans

• Collectivism vs. Individualism

• Acculturation

• Parenting styles and generational relationships (parent/ child)

• Age of immigration (American born vs. immigrant child)

• 15% of grades 9-12 female AA students attempted suicide (OMH, 2009 from CDC , 2012)

• AA adolescent boys are twice as likely as whites to have been physically abused, and 3x times as likely to report sexual abuse (NAWHO, 2001)

• 70% of SE Asian refugees are found to have posttraumatic stress disorder (NAMI, 2011)

Social Roles

Possible Factors affecting help-

seeking attitude in AAs

• Lack of psycho-education• Shame and stigma• Language & financial barriers• Cultural & religious factors• Lack of self-acceptance• Difficulties staying in

treatment• Somatization of illness

• Education in Asia• School system• Expectations from school, parents, and other students• Center of two very different cultures

Stressors for Asian Youth

Statistics: Latinos

Social Roles

• Priorities on family and/or kinship group, not the individual

• “Respeto”: respect that governs relationships

• “Confianza”: trust needed to develop interpersonal and professional relationships

• “Machismo”: a romanticized view of male masculinized gender roles

• “Marianismo”: female counter that is “virtuous, humble, and spiritually stronger than men”

Source: NRCHMH.org: “Mental Health in the Hispanic Immigrant Community: An Overview”

• Latinos are identified as a high-risk group for depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

• Prevalence of depression is higher in Latino women (46%) than Latino men (19.6%).

• Different studies estimate that 50% to 70% of all youth in the juvenile justice system have mental health problems that usually go untreated or badly treated.

Source: NAMI: Latino Community Health Fact Sheet

Factors That May Impact Mental Health and

Wellness in Latinos/as• Correlation: level of acculturation

and feeling of belonging in both cultures• Those more acculturated tend to have

decreased mental health (substance abuse, poor diets, worse birth outcomes, etc.)

• Theory: immigrants are more resilient, belong solidly into one culture already

• Negative consequences of gender role conflicts - effects of changing female roles

• Spiritual & Religious Factors: 70% Catholicism

Source: Culturally Adaptive Counseling Skills: Demonstrations of Evidence-Based Practices; Gallardo, Yeh, Trimble, Parham

Possible Reasons for Underutilization of Mental Health Services

• Affordability

• Lack of health insurance (37% are uninsured)

• Lack of Transportation

• Language barriers

• Fear of the system

• Lack of Knowledge/Recognition of MH issues

• Stigma from the community (locura or loco)

• Personal stigma

• Self-reliant attitude

• Citizenship/immigration status

• Fractured family support system

Responsible Healing in Our CommunitiesShame and Stigma

Mental Health Statistics An attempt to label a particular

group of people as less worthy of respect than others

A mark of shame, disgrace or disapproval that results in discrimination

Not just a matter of using the wrong word or action – it’s about disrespect

-NAMI Website (Facts about Stigma)

• 1 in 5 Americans live with a mental disorder

• Estimated 2/3rds of those do not seek treatment or help

• Those living with mental illnesses still experience discrimination despite the Americans with Disabilities Act

• Stigma creates discrimination

What is Stigma?

Ways to Alleviate Stigma1. Use respectful language – put the person before the illness2. Include mental illness in your discussions about acceptance of

diversity – just like talking about cultural diversity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, etc.

3. Provide an attitude of inclusiveness in your work/school environment

4. Become an advocate: • write letters to newspapers and lawmakers• speak out and challenge stereotypes• inform your community and teach others

5. Listen with compassion6. Form a supportive group for an individual if they need it7. Keep a list of resources handy. Source: NAMI’s Facts about Stigma and Illness in Diverse Communities

Questions? Comments?

Thank you!