Asian American Mental Health Status and Care Balancing Stress and Success: An Asian-American Perspective Lexington Asian Mental Health Forum Ed K.S. Wang, Psy.D., Director, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Assistant Clinical Professor in Psychology, Harvard Medical School

We are not alone: national statistics on mental health Four million children and adolescents in this country suffer from a serious mental disorder that causes significant functional impairments at home, at school and with peers. Children ages 9 to 17, 21 percent have a diagnosable mental or addictive disorder that causes at least minimal impairment. Half of all lifetime cases of mental disorders begin by age 14.

We are not alone: national statistics on mental health Approximately 50% of students age 14 and older who are living with a mental illness drop out of high school. This is the highest dropout rate of any disability group. In any given year, only 20 percent of children with mental disorders are identified and receive mental health services. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth ages 15 to 24. States spend nearly $1 billion annually on medical costs associated with completed suicides and suicide attempts by youth up to 20 years of age. http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=federal_and_state_policy_legislaiion&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=43804

We are not alone: national statistics on mental health AANHPI females have among the highest suicide ideation of any ethnic group between the ages of 15-24 and the highest rates of depressive symptoms. Reflection on Lexington Student Survey and personal stories. http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=federal_and_state_policy_legislaiion&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=43804

National Suicide Statistics at a Glance Suicide Rates National Suicide Statistics at a Glance Suicide Rates* Among Persons Ages 10–24 Years, by Race/Ethnicity and Sex, United States, 2005–2009 (CDC)

Behavioral Health is Essential to Health Prevention Works Treatment is Effective Individual and Family Recovers

Barriers towards mental health care: A national survey Asian Americans 1. Language barriers (19 States) 2. Stigma 16 3. Poor provider cultural competence 13 Hispanics 1. Language barriers (22 States) 2. Immigration 20 http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_853.html

Language barrier, social stigma and cultural competence in care Importance of language Verbal and non-verbal communication Views of mental health and mental illness Help seeking behavior

From Beijing to Nairobi to Lexington the same question: What is mental health? Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

If you are not in the US, would you raise your child the same or different way? Culture Matters Environment Matters Core Life Values Matters

How to talk about mental health in the family or in the Lexington community What is mental health? What to look for? How to get help? The National Mental Health Conversations in your community

The National Mental Health Conversations in your community The Toolkit for Community Conversations about mental health is designed to be a resource to help those interested in holding a conversation about mental health that includes information brief, discussion and planning guides. http://www.mentalhealth.gov

Behavioral Health is Essential to Health Prevention Works Treatment is Effective Individual and Families Recovers Thank you