Newsbrief: Asians, Depression, and Suicide, and the Death of Iris Chang
Following the reports of Iris Chang's suicide, ACMHS has seen a rise in suicidal cases and a new awareness of Asian women and depression.
On November 9, 2004, noted writer Iris Chang, author of the best-selling book The Rape of Nanking, was found dead after committing suicide, according to news reports. She was 36 years old, and survived by her husband, two-year-old son, her parents and brother.
Specific causes of Chang's depression have not been released, but according to reports she was hospitalized and being treated for depression. In news stories, friends say that the disturbing nature of her research on Japanese atrocities during World War II contributed to her depression; other commentators suggest post-partum depression that is associated with mothers after giving birth.
Depression is one of the leading reasons why A&PIs come to ACMHS. Asian American women between the ages of 15 and 24 have the second-highest suicide rate among women across all racial/ethnic groups. In particular, Asian American girls have the highest rates of depressive symptoms of all racial groups. Asian American women also have the highest suicide rate among women 65 or older. And suicide rates are higher than the national average for Native Hawaiians as well.
Betty Hong, ACMHS executive director, notes, "In many Asian cultures, the stigma surrounding mental illness is so extreme that it is thought to reflect poorly on family lineage. The association could thereby diminish marriage and economic prospects for other family members as well."
"The stigma of mental illness limits education, prevention, and treatment for our community. In addition, the labeling of Asian & Pacific Islanders with the false stereotype of the "model minority" -- highly successful, well-educated, and upwardly mobile -- exacerbates the cultural stigma surrounding mental illness. The stigma is so greath that it prevents those who may need support from seeking treatment altogether."
For Asian women and girls, the stigma of mental illness is compounded because of the high standards placed on them. In some traditional cultures, females are supposed to be perfect daughters, wives, mothers, and nurturers, always putting others' needs ahead of their own. For the Asian American born, the model minority stereotype underscores that traditional expectation and adds the role of the perfect professional career woman and caretaker for both sets of elderly parents and in-laws.
There are also beliefs or practices that are specific to different Asian ethnic groups. For example:
- Chinese often interpret mental illness as punishment for some wrongdoing carried by themselves, by their family, or their ancestors.
- Cambodian: Mental health problems are blamed on the individual, who is seen as haunted by evil spirits.
- Koreans readily use medications to try to self-medicate or treat themselves.
- Japanese are very concerned that others may learn of their treatment; some clients fail to show up for treatment for fear of being seen accessing mental health services.
- Vietnamese also fear that their use of mental health services might be exposed. Some clients request that documentation coming from ACMHS be sent to a post office box or alternate address.
You can help combat this issue by:
- Training mainstream health care providers on aspects of Asian culture and patterns of depressive symptoms, for example, complaints about physical ailments that mask emotional imbalance;
- Performing outreach within the A&PI community through education, emphasizing that early identification is crucial for prevention, and building their trust that problems are kept confidential;
- Accessing bicultural/bilingual providers who use culturally appropriate methods or approaches.