Mental health is a deeply personal journey, yet for many within the Asian community, it’s marked by silence, stigma, and misunderstanding. Whether you’re in an immigrant family or have lived in a more traditional community, talking about mental health can feel uncomfortable, even impossible at times. In Asian cultures, if we generalize the theme, mental health isn’t always openly talked about. Breaking the generational “silence” sounds like a long process, so do we have to suffer the disconnection? Absolutely not! For Asians in the Western societies, we need more support in mental health or just maintain emotionally healthy and feel connected to others. Hopefully by opening up conversations, sharing our experiences, and embracing self-reflection, we can begin to build a healthier, more understanding dialogue.

The Language Barrier

In many Asian cultures, discussing mental health can be challenging simply because the language isn’t built to do so. Even if you're fluent in the language of your heritage, there are nuances, such as slang, jargon, idioms, dialects, that often make it difficult to express the emotional turmoil you're feeling with your loved ones. Language is not just about words; it carries culture, history, and expectations. For folks who live in different cultures from their loved ones, when you’re trying to articulate something as abstract as stress or anxiety, it might feel like you’re struggling to speak two different languages at once.

Robin Arzon, an advocate for mental health and wellness, highlights how self-exploration can help individuals break through these barriers. She says, “You are stronger than you think. You don’t need to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Taking that first step could mean acknowledging that mental health is worth discussing, even when words seem inadequate. Also, pairing up self-exploration with art therapy, "gives individuals a way to communicate what they may not yet have the words for. Through color, shape, and imagery, emotions can be explored and expressed safely, especially those that are too complex or painful to verbalize," art therapist and Author of Creativity as Co-Therapist Lisa Mitchell explained.

What are Your Values and Strengths?

The way people within the Asian community express stress, anxiety, or depression can differ dramatically, often due to the cultural lens through which these emotions are viewed. Some individuals verbalize their thoughts, trying to solve problems logically: "I don’t know what to do, I’m feeling overwhelmed." For others, the emotional toll might manifest as what might be perceived as "bad temper" or "mood swings," but not mental health struggles. In both cases, the root of the problem is the same: an inability to recognize these experiences as symptoms of something larger, like mental health challenges.

In many families, admitting you're stressed or anxious can be equated with failure. The idea that "thinking about stress means you're not capable" runs deep. As Katy Milkman, a behavioral scientist, says, "Motivation isn't just about willpower; it's about tapping into your deeper values and strengths." Recognizing your emotional well-being as something worth prioritizing is a key first step in that journey of self-discovery, knowing your values and strengths.

The Weight of Myths and Stigma

For generations, mental health struggles have been misunderstood or ignored. In some cultures, admitting stress or emotional pain is seen as a weakness, like “家丑不可外扬” is a saying in China meaning "family shame should not be aired outside." This mentality stems from historical struggles, like wars and economic hardship, where survival became the priority over self-care, where being resilient and fighting to survive were the only focus.

For example, the older generations in countries like China endured extreme hardship during times of war and instability, and the idea of taking time to process emotions simply wasn’t a luxury they could afford. An interviewer’s grandmother once said, “Our generation doesn’t have depression. We’ve never even heard that word, and we’re okay.” This belief rooted in survival and resilience, was passed down as a form of strength generationally. But it also ignored the importance of mental health, creating a void in language and understanding.

More people are beginning to acknowledge that mental health is as important as physical health, and that we are allowed to experience and articulate stress. However, even now, the fear of being perceived as weak or incapable often holds people back from seeking help just out of this norm or tradition.

A Positive Shift in Younger Generations

For some, this gap in understanding spans multiple generations. The director of Creative Hearts Collaborative, Chao Zhao mentioned that her mother worked on the front lines of the healthcare system in China, caring for patients and providing them with physical support. Yet, in her generation, emotional health was often left unaddressed. The idea that mental well-being plays a crucial role in overall health didn’t resonate, nor did the thought that expressing emotions was necessary. For her, the solution to stress was medication or Chinese traditional medicine only, not emotional processing.

As more people from younger generations speak out about their struggles, we see a shift in understanding. The new generation is learning that mental and physical health are intrinsically connected. The battle is no longer just about surviving, it’s about thriving, emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Embracing Your Strengths

Self-exploration is not just about identifying weaknesses but about embracing your strengths. The power of self-awareness is an incredible tool for building a healthier relationship with yourself. By acknowledging that it's okay to struggle and okay to feel overwhelmed, you’re not only helping yourself but also challenging long-standing cultural narratives.

"Self-exploration is not just a path to understanding ourselves, but also a crucial step in healing. By examining our inner world, we create space for emotional growth and resilience, allowing us to navigate life’s challenges with a deeper sense of clarity and peace." Dr. Shyamala Kiru, a Psychologist and Mindfulness Practitioner emphasized. The process of mental health is not about instant results, but about taking it one step at a time. It’s about understanding that you don’t have to be perfect; you just need to keep moving forward, even when it feels tough.

Katy Milkman adds, “We all have the power to change our behaviors, no matter where we start. The first step is the hardest, but it’s the most rewarding.” So, what does the first step look like? It could be as simple as reaching out to a friend, seeking professional help, or just allowing yourself to feel and process your emotions. No step is too small.

Breaking the Silence or Embracing the Silence and Move Forward

Our journey toward mental wellness doesn’t happen overnight. But by shedding the myths, embracing vulnerability, and giving ourselves permission to seek help in our own unique ways, we can begin to create new narratives. The narrative that recognizes that caring for our mental health is not a weakness but a strength. The power to break or embrace the silence lies within us all.

As Dr. Alexandra Solomon explained, there are some questions you can ask yourself to find your values and strengths to move from avoidant motivation (i.e., fear based, sounds like “I have to do this because I am afraid of becoming like…”) to approach motivation (i.e., desire based, sounds like “I want to do this because I want to become like…”).  Finding your core values, we can 1) reflect on fulfillment; 2) consider who and what you admire; 3) seek feedback from people around you. 

Some questions you may want to ask: what’s it like to be with me? What qualities do you see in me? What do you admire about me (if you feel super close to that person or you are brave enough)?

Together, let’s change the conversation. One word, one story, and one step at a time.