Why is it that some people don’t receive help that can benefit their mental health?

The National Institute for Mental Health (via Psychology Today) has found that Asian Americans in particular experience barriers preventing them from accessing mental health care. “According to a 2011 study from the National Institute for Mental Health, Asian Americans are less likely to reach out for help with emotional difficulties than white, Latino, and Black ethnic groups. In fact, only 17% of all Asian Americans have sought professional help, and only 6% sought this help from a mental health provider.” (Psychology Today, 2016)

To read more about how stigma affects Asian American males, refer to Erin Chew’s review of a recent Psychology Today publication: http://www.yomyomf.com/the-dark-struggle-of-mental-illness-among-asian-american-men/.

The original Psychology Today article refers to the work of a therapist who specializes in 2nd and 3rd generation Asian Americans in the Bay Area of California. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-pacific-heart/201612/when-asian-american-men-seek-therapy-the-invisible-struggle

Seeking the assistance of a mental health professional early on is an important part of success in treatment. Therefore, encourage yourself or your loved ones to consider speaking with a professional to see what options are available.

The Asian American Voice Podcast

I'd like to thank my new friend, Mr. B. J. Kang, for hosting the Asian American Voice. It was an honor to have such a meaningful conversation with you on your fifteenth episode.

I appreciate you offering your platform as an opportunity to help fight stigma against mental health when it really should be a household name given that 1 out of every 4 suffer from a mental health condition. As a show of thank you, B. J.: If you ever want restaurant suggestions while you're in my neighborhood, I'll do my best to offer recommendations that make the trip worth it.

The Talk

Do you remember your sex talk? You know, the one you're supposed to have before you have sex. Many Asian American families either don't have thorough sex talks, or any at all. This would not make them unusual compared with other families in the United States. Having an accurate and timely sex talk has implications for later sexual behaviors. Although Asian Americans tend to have later sexual debuts, it's still essential to have the talk since rates of STI's and such catch up to those in mainstream culture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQYZkipErYM Have a sex talk. Just talk.

Taiwanese American Citizens League presents "Emerging Voices of Asian American Mental Health" in San Gabriel, CA on 5/29/20016. Join us in recognition of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month AND Mental Health Awareness Month.

Asian Pacific Heritage Month

Asian Pacific Heritage Month (aka: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month) is celebrated every May in the United States since its roots back in 1977. What are the origins and why do we celebrate this as a month-long event? Check out these additional websites for more detailed information about APHM. http://asianpacificheritage.gov/about.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Pacific_American_Heritage_Month

Money and Stress in America

Asian Americans may be seen as having financially "made it." What happens when Americans experience stress related to finances? Here are some tips to consider: (1) Have honest discussions about finances. This is easier said than done since some cultures view money matters as a taboo topic. (2) Start teaching your kids about money sooner rather than waiting to help them develop healthy money behaviors. (3) Build a supportive emotional network as this has been shown to help deal with stress. For more information about how to manage stress and change behavior, visit: www.apa.org/helpcenter. Dr. Drew Pinsky discusses happiness, Artistotle and it's relationship to finances. You may hear a familiar voice offering an expert opinion at the 10 minute mark. Enjoy the "Dr. Drew Midday Live with Mike Catherwood" TalkRadio 790 KABC show at: http://www.kabc.com/common/page.php?pt=Dr+Drew+Midday+Live+-+02%2F18%2F15+-+12PM&id=38991&is_corp=0

The Art of Asian Tea can promote Wellness

Tea drinking can have a calming or lifting effect on the body, mind, and spirit. It can be a solitary or social activity. Tea can be enjoyed in a casual setting or a ritualized ceremony. Beautiful furniture and tea sets have been created to enjoy the art of Asian tea.
   

 In Asia, tea ceremonies are different according to the specific country & culture. Below is a compilation of various tidbits regarding Asian tea: 

• Tea ceremonies & rituals contain an adoration of the beautiful among the sordid facts of everyday life, as well as refinement, an inner spiritual content, restraint, & humility. 
• A rare & valuable commodity, initially tea was mainly consumed by priests and noblemen for medicine. 
• Tea has had a significant influence on the development of Chinese culture and is often associated with literature, arts, and philosophy. 
• Tea originated in China and dates back to the fourth century. 
• The Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony is a tradition in which couples getting married show respect to their parents. The bride usually prepares the tea and then serves it to the elders with the groom. 
• In China, light finger tapping is a custom for thanking the tea master or tea server. 
• Today, Taiwan is renowned as the maker of some of the world’s most high-quality oolong and green tea. It has also gained a good reputation as the origin country of bubble tea (tea mix that includes milk and tapioca balls). 
• The Wu-Wo tea ceremony, which originated in Taiwan, prompts its participants to disregard knowledge, appearance, and wealth to create a group with equal dynamics and no prejudice. 
• The four key principles of the Japanese tea ceremony are: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. 
• Although some important blends are cultivated with Java and Sumatra, an Indonesian tea culture never developed and is rather a mix of different tea cultures and ceremonies. 
• India’s tea culture is strongly influenced by the British colonial times, which has affected the preparation as well as the frequency with which tea is drunk. 
• Tea's revered status in Sri Lanka is reflected by the fact that it still holds the country’s ancient name of Ceylon. 
• In Tibetian tea culture, tea bricks (cut and pressed tea) are used instead of tea leaves. Tibetian tea culture features two main teas: sweet milk tea and butter tea (tea, salt, and yak butter). 
• Myanmar’s tea culture is unique because it features tea that is not only drunk, but also eaten in the form of lahpet. 
• Thai tea is served chilled and further enhanced with condensed milk and sugar. 
• Vietnam is one of the largest tea exporters. The Vietnamese tea ceremony is only performed during weddings and other religious rituals. 

For more information about Asian Tea Culture: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tea_ceremony 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_tea_culture 
http://www.arborteas.com/pages/traditions.html 
http://www.datehookup.com/content-asian-tea-culture-ceremonies.htm