Mental Health First Aid USA, July 19, 2024
“One in five adults in the United States has a mental illness. I often ask myself why people can’t talk about mental illness the way they talk about cancer or heart disease.”
Elaine Peng is one of our valued instructors in Adult and Adolescent Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for the Chinese-speaking community. Her journey and commitment to mental health advocacy began after her husband died of alcohol use disorder and her daughter was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. When Peng sought help for her own mental health issues, she learned how to support herself and her daughter and became inspired to help others in the Chinese community.
Reflecting on her experience, Penn said: “My daughter’s recovery shows that treatment is working, and I want others to know they are not alone.” .
Research estimates that 57.8 million people across the United States suffer from various mental illnesses. Despite this, social stigma against mental health issues remains. Although mental illnesses can be effectively treated, there is a societal tendency to view mental illnesses as different from physical illnesses. This bias is particularly prevalent in the Asian community, with research highlighting it as a major barrier to Asian Americans from seeking help.
For example, in Alameda County, California, Asians make up 29% of the population, but they make up only 2% of the public mental health system, Penn noted. “Does that mean Asians are 15 times more mentally healthy than other ethnicities? Of course not,” she said. “Too many Chinese Americans who struggle with mental illness continue to suffer in silence, like my husband who died from the disease.”
Penn works to raise awareness of mental health education so people can recognize symptoms early and seek professional help right away, just as they would with a physical illness. Her goal is to bring the MHFA program to the Chinese community to prevent others from going through what she and her family went through.
Understanding Stigma: Cultural Perceptions of Mental Health
Historically marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities, face disproportionate challenges when it comes to access to and quality of mental health and substance use care. The Chinese community faces unique mental health challenges for cultural and structural reasons. Peng emphasizes two elements:
Cultural factors: prejudice
Deep-rooted cultural stigma surrounding mental illness is a major barrier. Perceiving mental illness as a sign of personal failure or weakness discourages individuals from seeking help.
In Chinese culture, the brain is considered an organ that controls all aspects of function. As a result, mental health problems are often perceived as indicative of fundamental deficiencies in the brain, the body’s command center. This perception leads to the belief that people with mental health problems are untrustworthy or unfit for social interaction, resulting in a perceived loss of social status.
The concept of “face” (mianzi) is tied to a person’s public image and honor, making it difficult to ask for help for fear of losing face or disrupting social harmony. It will be. Instead, it puts a lot of pressure on you to handle the problem yourself.
Structural factors: limited resources
The Chinese community lacks culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services, creating barriers to access. This includes a lack of bilingual therapists and culturally sensitive treatment models.
These factors combine to create a complex environment that discourages Chinese Americans from seeking help. Cultural bias is further exacerbated by a lack of accessible and culturally competent resources, leading to feelings of isolation and hopelessness.
Strategies for change: Overcoming stigma and promoting mental health
Peng points out that by addressing both cultural biases and structural barriers, positive change can be created to address mental health issues within the Chinese community. Here are her recommendations:
encourage open communication
An important approach to reducing stigma around mental health includes encouraging open and accessible communication. This can be achieved by promoting public discussion about mental health across various platforms such as social media and support groups. Peer support provides a sense of community and belonging for individuals facing similar challenges, reducing feelings of isolation. People often report less pain, depression, anxiety, and fatigue, and less feelings of loneliness, isolation, and judgment. Being able to communicate openly and honestly about your emotions is a huge benefit. stigma of battle
Targeted interventions are needed to address the perceptions of inadequacy associated with mental illness. Support groups of various types provide a safe space for people to share experiences and create a sense of community and belonging. This helps combat feelings of isolation and allows individuals to take control of their condition. Empowering caregivers through advocacy
Advocacy plays a huge role in combating external bias. Efforts such as advocating for mental health laws, organizing awareness campaigns, and partnering with respected organizations such as sports teams (such as the San Jose Sharks) can significantly improve public awareness. Events such as the National Sunshine Mental Health Cup Singing Contest and the Lunar New Year Festival and Parade focus on people with mental illness and further promote understanding and acceptance. Provide support and resources
Organizations like NAMI have established Chinese American support groups and improved access to mental health resources for the Chinese community. These resources address the critical need for culturally sensitive peer support and produce positive outcomes for individuals and families. The expansion of the Community Mental Health Association of China (MHACC) resource and support group from 5 to 13 people demonstrates the great demand for culturally sensitive resources. They reached 100,000 people and intervened in 117 family suicide crises. Additional resources include:
Recognizing the diversity of our community, MHFA recently developed culturally tailored adult and youth MHFA for different groups, including training for the Chinese-speaking community. These courses address unique cultural needs and nuances while maintaining the integrity of the original content. Individuals within the Chinese community have access to resources to not only recognize, but also understand and address cultural factors that can influence perceptions regarding mental health. Training modules educate individuals on how to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges within their communities, while being mindful of cultural differences. This course emphasizes the importance of respecting diverse perspectives and recognizing that one size does not fit all when it comes to mental health support.
To address racial inequality and the associated biases that lead to disparities, the National Council on Mental Welfare has built a directory of resources to support communities with tools and learning opportunities.
As a leader in developing mental health programs for the Chinese American community, Peng points to the importance of tailored support strategies to specific groups. Recognizing that the traditional support group model does not always resonate with the Chinese community, she prioritizes activities based on cultural preferences, such as picnics, fishing trips, and public celebrations. Culturally sensitive activities improve engagement and create a sense of belonging. This is essential to overcome stigma and encourage people to seek help. In addition, by focusing on education and awareness, and ensuring accessibility and adaptability, we collectively empower people, reduce stigma, and promote mental health within the Chinese American community. You can.
Elaine Peng (front row, third from right) attends a youth MHFA class from the Chinese-speaking community.
Looking to the future, Elaine hopes to continue providing access to mental health education within the Chinese community. She encourages mental health advocates as well as struggling individuals to join support networks and work together to amplify their impact.
Mental Health First Aiders can use the Mental Health First Aid course search tool to search for courses available in their preferred language. This tool can also be used to search for and connect with certified MHFA instructors in courses of interest specific to your community. If nothing is available, paramedics can consider becoming a MHFA instructor, leading the way and offering courses to the community.
