For students of Asian-American descent, the duality of being part of two

For students of Asian-American descent, the duality of being part of two conflicting cultures can be a troubling experience because of family pressures and society.

Justin Ko, a junior child development major, expressed his parents’ disapproval of his pursuit into becoming an elementary school teacher.

“My parents don’t like the fact that I want to teach,” Ko said. “In the Korean culture, elementary school teaching is viewed to be a ‘feminine’ job and my parents want me to do a more ‘masculine’ career.”

From the April 2 mass shooting at Oikos University in Oakland to the 2007 tragedy at Virginia Tech, the issues of mental health care in Asian-Americans are raising concerns.

In a 2011 report from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a grassroots mental health advocacy organization, Asian-Americans have higher rates of depression, suicide and anxiety problems because of a lack of bicultural/bilingual providers as well as the stigma of having to seek help for mental distress.

In particular, Asian-American youth tend to have higher rates of depressive symptoms in contrast to their peers.

“The first generation of Asians in America seems to have no faith in the U.S. health system,” Ko said. “They try to keep their problems internalized.”

Soo Choi, a professor of Asian-American studies, noted that the Asian-American students who take his classes seem to have issues with assimilating into American culture.

“In the 20 years that I’ve taught the class, I tell students to have a sense of ownership in America,” Choi said.

Choi added that in the history of Asians in America, the problems they faced were derived from the struggles of a society that didn’t include them until today.

“Asians, like any other immigrant group, have to become more engaged in their society and gain respect,” he said.

Undeclared sophomore Melissa Aguas took an Asian-American studies class and noted the behavior of her Asian-American peers.

“They seem to keep to themselves and don’t like to talk about their problems,” she said. “When it comes to stress they like to keep it personal and if they don’t do well in school or relationships, they blame themselves.”

In addition, the stereotype of Asians as being “smart” or the “model minority” can add pressure to Asian-American students to succeed, but Aguas said it all depends on the individual.

“Some students may go against the stereotype, others don’t, but it all depends on the person’s personality,” she said.

Ko added that even the addition of “positive” stereotypes could potentially cause mental harm upon a person.

“Even if the stereotype is positive, the concept of stereotyping is negative,” he said.

In spite of the struggles Asian-American students face in today’s society, Choi said they should not feel ashamed of where they come from.

“People can enjoy being in two cultures,” he said. “They shouldn’t feel ashamed of their heritage and it shouldn’t bother them mentally.”

Choi also believes that with a sense of independence and self-assurance, Asian-Americans can overcome their tribulations in American society.

“With the struggles, they (Asian-Americans) need to gain full ownership or else their identity won’t be recognized.”

Asian-American girls and women ages 15 to 24 have the highest suicide rates out of all racial/ethnic groups.

Asian-American college students have higher levels of depressive symptoms than white students.

In Asian culture, mental health problems are stigmatized to the point that they’re expressed as more acceptable physical aches and pain.

Southeast Asians have a higher risk for post-traumatic stress disorder than East Asians.

Some of the root causes for mental distress in Asian-American youth include conflicting family values, culture and education.

SOURCE: Data from National Alliance on Mental Illness