Why is this a problem?
Without diverse voices, we risk cutting out entire groups of people from our research.
In the field of mental health, where studies focusing on Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders are sparse at best, lack of data and cultural knowledge can lead to lackluster treatment, or worse, no treatment at all.
Asian-Americans are an important part of the American collective identity and should be valued for all they are, not only their achievements and successes, but also their mental health. If we wish to become a more equitable society, we must start from healthcare.
Statistics
7.24%
Asian-Americans, multi-racial or one-race, make up around 7.24% of the United States population, according to a 2023 American Community Survey, including immigrants and their descendants.
3x
Asian-Americans are three times less likely than the average white person to access mental health support when they need it, and are 50% less likely to seek mental health treatment than other ethnic groups overall.
20.8%
Suicide accounts for 20.8% of deaths in Chinese-American female youth and 15.1% of male youth. 18% to 29.4% of older Chinese-Americans had at least a mild level of depression, higher than other ethnic groups.
Mental health needs among the AAPI community is variable.
78% of Filipino American women rated their mental health as “excellent or very good,” while only 45% of Chinese American women and 50% of Vietnamese American women rated their mental health as excellent.
Not only are the mental health needs of this community variable, Asia is the most diverse continent, meaning that the cultures of Asian-Americans vary as well. When approaching this problem, it is paramount to keep in mind the diversity of this group.