May carries many meanings. It is recognized as both Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, two important designations that are rarely spoken about in tandem. In many AANHPI households, emotional struggles are often met with silence, shaped by cultural expectations to endure quietly. Despite being one of the fastest-growing racial groups in the US, AANHPI individuals remain among the least likely to access mental health care.
This gap isn’t just about limited access, it stems from deep-rooted stigma, cultural values, and generational trauma. But in recent years, the decision to talk openly about mental health has emerged as an act of resistance and resilience, especially among younger generations. Still, this progress is often complicated by the weight of history and current social dynamics.
While this piece touches on broad themes, it’s important to recognize that the AANHPI community is not a monolith, our cultures, histories, and lived experiences are richly diverse. Additional resources are provided below for those who wish to explore further.
The Roots of Silence
Many AANHPI cultures emphasize collectivism, emotional restraint, and filial piety, values that often discourage open discussions of personal struggles. Expressing emotional distress is often seen as bringing shame not just to yourself, but to your entire family. The concept of protecting your reputation and therefore your dignity is deeply ingrained, making vulnerability dangerous.
Moreover, many AANHPI families carry either firsthand or generational immigrant and refugee trauma. For those who have survived war, colonization, or displacement, or were raised by those who had, mental health is seen as a luxury that cannot be afforded. Their focus has always needed to be on survival. First-generation immigrants often prioritize financial stability and educational achievement for their children, often sending the message that personal emotions should be pushed aside for the greater good.
These patterns are further complicated by external racial narratives, specifically the “model minority” myth. This stereotype paints AANHPIs as high-achieving, quiet and self-reliant, and erases the diversity within AANHPI communities while adding pressure to conform to unrealistic standards.
Mental Health in Our Current Climate
In recent years, the mental health crisis within the AANHPI community has intensified. The COVID-19 pandemic not only triggered widespread grief and isolation, but also a disturbing surge in anti-Asian hate crimes. The fear of being harassed coupled with a lack of adequate mental health support has taken a toll on our communities, causing many to turn back to the focus on survival and forgoing reflection on what comes after surviving.
The generational shift seen in younger AANHPI individuals is beginning to challenge the silence through sharing stories on social media, seeking therapy and encouraging their peers to do the same. However, this generational awakening clashes with the views of many elder family members who may still see therapy as a sign of weakness and shame.
And even when we do seek help, systemic barriers also persist, for people who don’t speak English fluently, come from traditional families and/or are the first in their many seeking mental health care, navigating the U.S. mental health system can be daunting and alienating.
Why Seeking Help Matters
Mental health is health. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness, it is an act of courage, dignity, and self-love. Challenging the silence around mental health allows us to rewrite harmful narratives and break generational cycles of pain. When we speak up, seek help, or extend support to others, we shift the legacy we pass on to future generations.
Healing is not just personal, it’s communal. When younger AANHPI individuals choose to face trauma and normalize mental health care, they plant seeds of change within their families and communities. Each honest conversation can open the door to deeper connection and understanding.
In a world that has often expected AANHPI individuals to endure in silence, choosing vulnerability is a revolutionary act. The path to healing won’t be immediate, and the stigma won’t disappear overnight, but every step forward matters. Whether you’re reaching out for help, supporting a loved one, or sharing your story, know that you’re contributing to a future where mental health is embraced, not hidden.
Let us replace stigma with solidarity. Let us trade silence for shared stories. Prioritizing your mental health is not a rejection of your culture, it’s a profound way of honoring your strength, your history, and your right to thrive.
If you or someone you love is struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. At Evolve Psychological Services, we offer culturally attuned therapy and support for AANHPI individuals and families. Reach out, healing can start with a single conversation.
Professional Organizations
Asian Mental Health Collective – https://www.asianmhc.org
Asian American Psychological Association – https://aapaonline.org/
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement – https://www.hawaiiancouncil.org/
Recommended Books
Crying in H-Mart, by Michelle Zauner
Minor Feelings, by Cathy Park Hong
Bengali Harlem and the Lost Histories of South Asian America, by Vivek Bald
