Asians and Mental Health
Recently John asked me about some resources relating to Asians and bipolar disorder. John further says, “I don’t think psychotherapy is prevalent, valued or even understood in Asian cultures.”
John’s observation is unfortunately correct. Although compared with 10 years ago, there is some increased awareness of mental health issues including depression and bipolar disorder among Asian cultures, mental illness is still in large “dealt” through denial and shame. Recently, in Taiwan and Hong Kong, for example, there had been suicides amongst some celebrities, which in turn casts some light on the issues of depression and suicide. In Japan there has been high suicide rates among young people.
However, from my own observation, mental health remains rarely talked about or well understood in Asian cultures. I hope that with the globalization of information, some of the progress we’ve made in the West relating to social perception of mental health can connect with people in other cultures.
Here are some info I’ve shared with John via email (and some I newly added since emailing him) that you may find useful:
Asians and Bipolar disorder – John Mcman’s article
DJ Chuang’s page of resources (not necessarily specific to Asians, but has good references) on bipolar disorder; sometimes written from a religious perspective.
Depression and Minorities – health provider article
NAAPIMHA (might be good to call them and ask for specific resources)
Health: Asians Get Depressed, Too
From my own website: Asian Students, Depression, and Suicide: Begin with the Parents!
Not specific to Asians, but a good backgrounder is the Usernet FAQ List. Here is the index for alt.support FAQ’s.
A troubling piece I found on the Wall Street Journal: “In China, Controversial Brain Surgery for Mental Illness”
