Talking about one’s mental health rarely ever happens in Asian culture. It’s an unspoken rule that we do not talk about any mental health issues or struggles we encounter. That it is something invisible or a weakness; if we do not talk about it, we can pretend it does not exist.

Origins of the mental health stigma derive from the “model minority myth”. The model minority myth perpetuates the notion that all Asian Americans are bright, thoroughly integrated into society, and have overcome racial prejudices brought on by immigrating to a new country. That all Asian American kids will make their parents’/ancestors’ sacrifices worthwhile because of their eventual successes. But wait, what is so terrible about having a stereotype that you’re successful or that you’ll be an absolute genius? These stereotypes and norms cause lots of damage because it puts pressure on those who are a part of this group to live up to these unreasonable expectations. It erases and shames the phenomenon of our diverse, individual experience. We cannot live in our unique experiences in peace because it causes individuals to compare themselves to other people, develop low self-esteem, and ignore our own needs of our body and mind.

It is highly emphasized in Asian culture that independence is celebrated. You get praised by others when you get a good grade on an assignment you completed by yourself, pass your driver’s license test, move out of your family home, and more. What comes with achieving these things is the shame of asking for help, thus creating isolation and mental health issues. Asian Americans are afraid of being labeled as “weak” or “crazy” for having a psychological disease or struggle. Being academically and professionally pressured causes an individual to ignore their own symptoms and reinforces the idea of not seeking help. Many people struggle in silence and never seek treatment because of shame and humiliation from others.

In Susan Wendell’s ‘Unhealthy Disabled: Treating Chronic Illnesses as Disabilities’ reading, she states that “Illness is not by definition an evil, but people fear and try to avoid illness because of the suffering it causes.” If the illness is not acknowledged, talked about, or addressed, then we do not need to deal with the negative impact it creates. Instead of using one’s time to properly address and seek help for our mental health struggles, then it takes time away from being productive in one’s academics, their job, or helping one’s family or friends. Thus, continues the cycle of the fear of seeking help and worsening health outcomes for Asian Americans.

The best ways to combat the toxic mental health stigma present in Asian culture are with proper educational tools and resources, open and vulnerable conversations about mental health, and through raising awareness. Society needs to stop reinforcing these negative stereotypes and should emphasize the importance of mental health for each individual. Utilizing the social model of disability and intersectionality approach, society should accommodate to everyone’s unique experience in their identities. Encouraging Asian Americans to speak up about their mental health issues with compassion, empathy, and openness will allow them to help themselves and others, destigmatizing mental health.