Mental Health

How Does the Model Minority Myth Impact Mental Health?

The model minority labels Asian Americans as hardworking, academically gifted, self-reliant, and submissive. While most people see it as a positive stereotype, the model minority is a harmful narrative. It leaves the later generation of Asian Americans with the pressure to lead successful lives, making them more susceptible to stress.

How Can We Unlearn the Model Minority Myth?

The current, older, and later generations should know not all Asians are not high achieving. Take the Southern Asian Americans, for instance. They are not wealthy, meaning the model only focuses on a specific population of the ethnic group. Also, it is important to know that the model masks the racial inequity Asian Americans face in America. Asian Americans are less likely to get aid due to the belief that they are high achievers.

Why Is There a Mental Health Stigma Among Asian Americans?

Mental health stigma among Asian communities stems from religious or spiritual beliefs. Most Asian communities believe mental issues are divine punishment, signify chances in internal energy levels, or a sign of lack of faith. For this reason, most people choose to keep their mental problems to themselves.

Many Asian communities deem opening up and sharing about mental illness taboo. For this reason, only a few people seek help from mental health experts.

There is no denying that Asian Americans are among the people who know little or nothing about mental health. This lack of awareness makes most people fail to seek medical attention when mental health symptoms happen.

Ieva Kubiliute

Ieva Kubiliute is a psychologist and a sex and relationships advisor and a freelance writer. She's also a consultant to several health and wellness brands. While Ieva specialises in covering wellness topics ranging from fitness and nutrition, to mental wellbeing, sex and relationships and health conditions, she has written across a diverse range of lifestyle topics, including beauty and travel. Career highlights so far include: luxury spa-hopping in Spain and joining an £18k-a-year London gym. Someone’s got to do it! When she’s not typing away at her desk—or interviewing experts and case studies, Ieva winds down with yoga, a good movie and great skincare (affordable of course, there’s little she doesn’t know about budget beauty). Things that bring her endless joy: digital detoxes, oat milk lattes and long country walks (and sometimes jogs).

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