An Asian American Journalist Talks about Overcoming Depression

By Jeff | Saturday, January 12, 2013 | 3 Comments

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In this piece from The Fil Am magazine, Asian American journalist Ryan Macasero opens up about his struggle with depression. He talks about how depression first set in during childhood and how free mental health services in college helped him overcome that depression. In his story, I see elements common among many stories about Asian American mental health.

One common element among many Asian American mental health stories is how family and relatives sometimes will not acknowledge that mental health problems even exist. I have had highly educated and accomplished Asian American colleagues tell me that they don’t think mental health problems exist. Sometimes I think this attitude comes from the stigma that mental health problems have with many Asian Americans. When Mascaro’s depression began taking a toll on his school performance, Macasero’s family and relatives told him his problems were “only in your mind.” Ironically true, but not in the way that they thought. Other responses were even worse. “Some relatives and friends would call me useless, worthless and dumb.”

While Macasero’s problems began in childhood, only in college did he began to receive help. Again, this is common. While Asian Americans are said to have lower overall mental health problems (I wonder if this is just from underreporting?), they are more unlikely to receive treatment. When I hear about Asian American college suicides or deadly rampages, I have to wonder if those could have been avoided by earlier and active treatment.

Another common element is Macasero’s generation. He is the child of immigrants, and some survey results say that second generation children are more likely to have mental health issues than their immigrant parents. I can see how the stresses of cultural conflict, felt acutely by the first generation born in the US, could lead to mental health conflicts.

One part of the his essay that struck me was his mention of how his mother worked crazy hours to get them “the best of life” and didn’t spend much with them. I have seen that in many Filipino and Filipino American families, from when I was a kid until now. Parents would work hard to get them the best “stuff” but miss out on supervisoring and nurturing their kids.

I think it’s great that Macasero is talking openly about his struggles. Given statistics like the high rate of depression in Asian American teenage girls, I hope it encourages more Asian Americans to seek help. Ryan Macasero currently works as a catering manager and as a freelance journalist who contributes to ethnic and community news sites.

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Health

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Facebook Comments (Beta)

http://www.facebook.com/people/Ahmed-Sanchez-De-La-Cruz-Kim/58700922 Ahmed Sanchez De La Cruz Kim

Communication is what I believe to be the most important in this issue. Other than language and cultural barriers, the AA community needs to adopt different life philosophies in general.

I do wish the AA community, especially the families, to be more honest and realize these problems exist. I know many Asian parents, immigrant and non, who will do whatever it takes if their kids have issues. So, it’s like we do have examples of caring AA families, and if possible, they can do more community awareness.

At the same time, I think more work needs to be done for Mental Health professionals to do more on their part. I know they are trying, but really, many families have a wide range of opinions and emotions too. They’re not experts so really the professionals do need to work more harder.

In my personal up-bringing, what bother a lot of Chinese families was the stigma that there is no hope. A lot of them don’t know all the facts, or vigilant in being medically sound (it takes a lot of resources, time, and energy to do so). So, the lack of hope is what’s primarily on their minds. If their love ones exhibit any disease, they were afraid of how their children (both young and old, cause some diseases don’t show up until adulthood) will take care of themselves when they’re gone and whether or not they will be able to find a partner to get married and start families on their own. I wouldn’t say every family and individual thought this way, but from my own experiences, this was the most pervasive mentality I came upon. They value face (reputation) but behind the face is this particular thought. This is what many are really thinking.

I know it’s not 100% strictly Asian opinions, because many other ethnic/racial groups also carry similar thoughts, but this is what I think is more useful for AAs to think about.

So, from what I can tell, the AA community needs to help bring this idea to the families that no one is 100% immune. That major diseases, physical and mental, can happen to anyone and that their children who are suffering are just as valuable as healthy folks. That life is a gift where you keep trying till the end rather than a record of achievements to pile up. That we do have a system, though not perfect, which is trying it’s best to help them. And if the families are not around, that there will be people out here who try their best to look out for them.

I know many AA families are very pragmatic and cynical when it comes to many matters, but I think it’s these two ideas; one of hope among realism and the other of cherishing life regardless if it’s “perfect” or not, that needs to permeate into the AA community when it comes to health issues overall.
Guest

I guess my previous comment is primarily for the AA community overall and the families.

This one is for the Asian youngsters, especially for the immigrant families. Please don’t get too mad at me for saying this, I”m just being realistic.

Because many Asian families value their reputations (justified or not, this is just how some people are, so just deal with it), may have language issues and may not be aware of the most up to date information, it can be very exclusive when it comes to private matters such as health and practically an invasion of personal space if people outside the families try to poke at it.

So for the younger Asian individuals, especially if you are healthy, I think they will have to shoulder a lot of responsibility and energy in being vigilant in the health of their older love ones. It’s pretty hard and almost too much to ask for the younger generations, but from my own personal observations and experiences, this is how it has to be done with some people, especially if they come from cultures that aren’t as individualistic as others.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Madley-Katarungan/595776217 Madley Katarungan

I don’t think folks from the “old country” are familiar with depression as a treatable malady the way it is here. (Sad? Just work harder!)

It will take the next generation to deal with their own depression and mental health issues and become therapists and mental health professionals who can communicate and bring their knowledge into the culture/family.

It all takes time — and awareness and willingness to change as well.

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