Asian American Women and Depression

photo by Veljaa

Depression has taken a quiet toll on the Asian-American community, and particularly women.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, depression is the second leading cause of death for Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women between 15 and 24, who consistently have the highest suicide rates among women in that age group. AAPI women over 65 have the highest rates of suicide among all races in that age group.

Some Asian immigrants have fled violence and turmoil, putting them at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder. China and other Asian countries place a great emphasis on the family unit rather than the individual, and mental illness and depression often reflect poorly on family lineage. The resulting stigma associated with mental illness often prevents these conditions from being addressed within Asian-American communities.

The cultural pressure of homeland values, combined with the feelings of stress and loss common among immigrant communities, has led to what Dr. Shinhee Han, a private practitioner in New York, sees as a mental health crisis facing first- and second-generation AAPI communities.

A 2009 study by the University of Washington found that nearly 16 percent of U.S.-born AAPI women have contemplated suicide in their lifetimes. That’s compared with 13 percent of all Americans. full story on PBS