U.S. Depresses Asian Girls

[achtungbaby]

From Oherald.com:

United States of America, the land of riches and plenty, is home to highly depressed Asians. According to a recent study by the National Asian Women’s Health Organisation (NAWHO), while 10 per cent Americans currently suffer from depression, 22 per cent Asians in the US have a diagnosable mental disorder. Depression among Asians affects mostly young girls and women.

“Asian Americans have the second-highest female suicide rate among 15 to 24-year-olds and the highest rate of depression symptoms for adolescents among all racial,ethnic and gender groups,” says the NAWHO study, published in February 2003. Overall, African Americans have the highest depression rate in the US.
The research claims that complex issues of racism, sexism, violence, high social expectations and pressures, poverty, cultural adjustments, lack of family support and post-traumatic stress disorder related to refugee experiences create high mental health needs among Asian Americans.

Among the Asians, Filipinos, Japanese and Koreans consistently report a higher number of depression symptoms. Studies also show that Chinese Americans have a lifetime prevalence rate of major depression, as high as 17 per cent, with 10 per cent reporting major depression since 2002. The study links Chinese depression with stress, inability to read English and lack of private health insurance. Over 70 per cent of South East Asian refugees are also found to have post-traumatic stress disorder.

The most disturbing news is about young Asian girls. In most Asian families, young girls take care of the elderly and act as translators for older family members. Despite these crucial responsibilities, girls in Asian families are still devalued.

Take Anita, who is working part-time in a university to get free credits to finish her studies. Anita’s parents moved to the US in the 1970s. “I don’t like my job, as I am constantly made to feel as an outsider. It’s stressful, but I cannot quit. Nor can I speak about it to anyone. It is unacceptable in my family,” she says. Anita has been suffering from severe depression since last year.

A study on Asian American students at the University of California, Berkeley, revealed that they were less social, less likely to express impulses or display feelings of anxiety, discomfort, loneliness and isolation. Though these students succeeded academically, their emotional well-being or adjustment skills were not satisfactory.

“We get three to four cases of depression every week,” says Dr Gauri Banerjee, Associate Professor, Emmanuel College and a core member of Saheli, an NGO working with the South Asian community in Boston.

According to Dr Reef Karim, psychiatrist and media consultant, stress and depression occur due to the inability of Asian Americans to balance two cultures. “This balancing act is easier for some and difficult for others. People get two conflicting identities - one that feels comfortable within the community and family unit and the other which wants to explore the opportunities we get by living in this country.” (WFS)

[Faithless]

Originally posted by achtungbaby@May 26 2003, 08:20 AM
“Asian Americans have the second-highest female suicide rate among 15 to 24-year-olds and the highest rate of depression symptoms for adolescents among all racial,ethnic and gender groups,”

That's sad. Didn't know that was so high. Personally, have felt the shits about parts of my life, but have never considered suicide. The Sun Also Rises, you know.

[Green_Jade]

it makes some sense... the high rate of depression

i think asian culture at times can be very demanding on a person, emotionally, expectations are high...ect.

so people might end up internalizing their feelings.. people deal with shits in life differently... some just have better coping skills. But b/c I still see having mental/emotional issues in asian communities are hush-hush and taboo...those who need help might never seek it..and end up at a place where they feel compeletly helpless and lost...sad..

[tapestrybabe]

A study on Asian American students at the University of California, Berkeley, revealed that they were less social, less likely to express impulses or display feelings of anxiety, discomfort, loneliness and isolation. Though these students succeeded academically, their emotional well-being or adjustment skills were not satisfactory.

yeah,
this is me...

altho i never grew up in an asian household where... seeking help was known as hush hush and tabboo... in fact, i think my white parents are quite open to the issue of seeking mental help and so forth... its me that ends up feeling resistant to it all...

“Asian Americans have the second-highest female suicide rate among 15 to 24-year-olds and the highest rate of depression symptoms for adolescents among all racial,ethnic and gender groups,”

and if this is the case... its odd... speaking out of my own experience... how very few asian patients i've encountered when it comes to my own experience in the mental health field... when seeking help... but than again, it maybe the type of community i'd been living in.... or i guess it may reflect the taboo about it all...

[AngryABCGirl]

Originally posted by artzygrrl@May 26 2003, 09:58 AM
it makes some sense... the high rate of depression

i think asian culture at times can be very demanding on a person, emotionally, expectations are high...ect.

so people might end up internalizing their feelings.. people deal with shits in life differently... some just have better coping skills. But b/c I still see having mental/emotional issues in asian communities are hush-hush and taboo...those who need help might never seek it..and end up at a place where they feel compeletly helpless and lost...sad..

I think that's very true. Most of my friends and I tend to not talk about problems and we internalize it. It's only been recently since we've been becoming more open to it because we realized how much it was hurting us to bundle it up inside and how it was affecting other parts of our lives.

I don't think that works with this society because I think young Asian-American women have more responsibilites and a more importanty, a independent lifestyle than our ancestors did, and that burden because too heavy to bear without any help.

It's sad, I've seen a lot of girls break down in midst of the heavy expectations from their parents, peers, and community and be alone.

[Napoleon Chynamite]

My childhood and teen years wasn't exactly a bed of roses due to typical angst and/or insecurity but I never had to worry about anything like money or not having enough to eat. I never attributed any of my problems to being Asian or having a semi-Asian upbringing despite the fact that it may have been the main reason why I felt uncomfortable or unhappy at certain points in my life. However, I believe that everyone has their own demons to battle regardless of situation or environment and no matter how well off or not well off you are, depending on the person, there will be content people and depressed people.

[AliBabaIncorporated]

"US Depresses Asian Girls" ... uh, okay, if you wanna sensationalistically confuse causation and correlation in your subject titles without considering other possibilities. In other news, scientists have found that having yellow teeth and a cough has driven millions of Americans to start smoking every year.

[tommyhtown]

Originally posted by tapestrybabe@May 26 2003, 10:59 AM
and if this is the case... its odd... speaking out of my own experience... how very few asian patients i've encountered when it comes to my own experience in the mental health field... when seeking help... but than again, it maybe the type of community i'd been living in.... or i guess it may reflect the taboo about it all...

My family thinks that seeing a psychiatrist is a waste of money. Most Asian families that I know also think the same way. They think that's for the weak-minded people or better yet non-religius folks.

[Autumn_rose]

Originally posted by tommyhtown@May 26 2003, 03:08 PM
My family thinks that seeing a psychiatrist is a waste of money. Most Asian families that I know also think the same way. They think that's for the weak-minded people or better yet non-religius folks.

yea.. that pretty true cause my parents dont take me to the doctor unless it was serious..

i feel drepress sometimes.. haha me and my friend we're standing there going.. OMG i made a 95!! and be all upset and depress over grades and school and family. Overall saying for grades down here is " b = bad''

[TyTea36]

The study links Chinese depression with stress, inability to read English

Inability to read..... hmph.

As of now, I can relate to this topic...

Its like this, I cant meet up to everyone's expectations. School for example... O well...





Hey you're asian, you must be smart.....

You dont know me~~~

[golden_buns]

Originally posted by Autumn_rose@May 27 2003, 02:31 PM
i feel drepress sometimes.. haha me and my friend we're standing there going.. OMG i made a 95!! and be all upset and depress over grades and school and family. Overall saying for grades down here is " b = bad''

crying over a 95? I used to scream in excitement when I'd get a 60 back in my college days. I wouldn't like to imagine what you'd do if you ever got my grades.

In my dictironary 'F' goes for the 'effort'

[Craig]

Originally posted by golden_buns@May 27 2003, 07:49 PM
crying over a 95? I used to scream in excitement when I'd get a 60 back in my college days. I wouldn't like to imagine what you'd do if you ever got my grades.

In my dictironary 'F' goes for the 'effort'

What a lovely program that CS department at UT Austin must have ? Feel free to take revenge on the lecturers and professors there, I can give you some suggestions if needed.

[golden_buns]

Originally posted by Craig@May 27 2003, 08:15 PM
What a lovely program that CS department at UT Austin must have ? Feel free to take revenge on the lecturers and professors there, I can give you some suggestions if needed.

hahahahaha,
you also remember the horrors of back in the days.

[tvbdude]

I have severe depression. I'm homicidal.

[Emperor_Mike]

I'm odd in that I've never been depressed over anything. At all. Saddened by events, yes. Depressed? No. Maybe it's a chemical imbalance. I usually take bad things with a stride and find ways to remedy the situation or situations.

Maybe I'll go crazy one of these days.