Culture Matters
Suicide is the leading cause of death among Asian Americans aged 20-24 years. In Asian American communities, mental health is viewed as a weakness and talking openly about anything emotional (i.e. sadness, disappointments, various life events, etc.) is rarely encouraged. Stoicism rules while physical touch and verbal affirmation can be seen as coddling. A lack of readily available culturally and linguistically appropriate, evidence-based suicide prevention and mental health treatment options, coupled with severe shortage of diverse and trained mental health workforce, further exacerbates poor mental health outcomes among minority populations. Western therapy does not always guarantee success, especially for immigrant and refugee communities, who often prioritize peer-to-peer and community-based support. For our community, healing is deeply connected to overall well-being, relationships, and collective care.
South Asian Americans are an underreported & underrepresented group in suicide research.
Recent studies show that South Asian American women aged 15-24 have higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts and South Asian adolescents and young adults are at an elevated risk for mental health disorders and suicide. Risk for depression and suicide is influenced by: acculturative & immigration stress, cultural stigma in seeking help with financial setbacks and mental health issues, gender role expectations, pressure to keep up appearances and reputation, and pressure to conform and meet high societal expectations.
According to a report from the South Asian Public Health Association, recent statistics from California highlight US South Asian youth are at greater risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors than many other minority groups.
Suicide Risks show up differently for South Asians
South Asian American children and youth benefit from several protective factors that can mitigate health risks
Bilingualism: The ability to communicate fluently in more than one language, including a child’s heritage language, is linked to higher cognitive functioning among South Asian American children.
Cultural Identification: A sense of belonging and affiliation with their cultural heritage reduces the risk of suicide attempts and supports mental health.
Cultural Heritage: Maintaining cultural practices and values fosters a sense of pride and strengthens family cohesion, particularly for children from immigrant families.
Integrate Healthy Eating Habits: Encourage balanced diets rich in vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting sugary snacks and beverages.
Promote Regular Physical Activities: Advocate for at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day and participate in family-oriented activities like biking, hiking, or playing sports.
Create an Open and Supportive Environment: Normalize conversations about mental health and seek professional help when needed
How can you Help?
View our Resources for helpful tips/helplines/local workshops/cultural specific support.
Sources: Guadamuz, T.E., et al. (2023). “Intersections of Interpersonal Violence and Opioid Use: Implications for Harm Reduction.” Harm Reduction Journal, 20(1). National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). “Substance Use and Sexual Violence: A Complicated Connection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). “Violence and Substance Use.” Child Welfare Information Gateway, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: www.childwelfare.gov/resources/parental-substance-use-child-abuse-georgia/. American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/the-link-between-child-abuse-and-substance-abuse. Srinivasa, S. R., Pasupuleti, S., & Dornamraju, R. (2022). Suicide among South Asian Americans: A Systematic Review of Causal and Risk Factors. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Journal of Mental Health and Social Behavior, 4(1), 158. Available at: https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/sw_fac/23 (ScholarWorks) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (n.d.). Suicide Among Asian Americans. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov (SAMHSA). Bohnert, A. S. B., & Ilgen, M. A. (2019). “Understanding links among opioid use, overdose, and suicide.” New England Journal of Medicine, 380(1), 71-79. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra1802148. https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-and-suicide/. Jha, A., Ahuja, M., & Wani, R. J. (2022). Suicide Among South Asians in the United States: A Growing Public Health Problem. Sage Open, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221140378. https://sapha.org/resources/mental-health-facts/. https://www.advancingjustice-atlanta.org/ga-mentalhealth.
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