A proud notion, but also a disparity is that culture is deeply rooted into Asians and this has a positive and negative effect on their life. How it benefits is that as an immigrant, we might not properly understand our roots; hence our culture is a way of understanding where we come from. However, Asian countries’ culture is so deeply embedded into the lives of the people that it overtakes serious issues of today including mental and physical health.
Asian Indians are the fastest growing minority group in the United States. They make up for more than 6 percent of the total population of the United States. Asian immigrants have been settling in the US for over a decade now. However, there are still frightening challenges children, teens and adults face as immigrants.
Settling in a new country can be difficult. You must adapt to the new culture, rules, language, finding employment,health care, facing discrimination, racism, education etc. The challenges of living as an immigrant can lead to multiple complications including mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
It will be hard to discard racism through this article as it is embedded in the roots of every country. However, it is possible to convince parents or elders responsible that they themselves or their children might be suffering from serious health issues which can lead to further complications. Before being able to face the real world, it is important that immigrants find comfort at home first.
The first and foremost aspect which every immigrant must understand is, depression is a real thing. Regardless of how privileged anyone might be, depression and anxiety can attack and effect the rich and the poor equally.
Depression can come from trauma, struggle, personal experiences, personal interactions and relationships. Here are a few ways to deal with depression:
As a child:
- If your child is showing symptoms of depression which can include loss of appetite, bad grades, acting out, anger issues etc, then it is important that you first understand your child. Having a nice pleasant conversation with them and understanding their problems can help. Children find it difficult to express their feelings. It is important that you talk to them.
- Listen to your child and do not interrupt them. Telling your children what they need rather than listening to them is a common practice in Asian households. Listen to what they have to say and understand their perspective to help them grow through what they are going through.
- Take precautionary steps. If your child is being bullied at school, then understand their feelings. Help them understand that their culture is nothing to be ashamed of. If the situation is getting serious, take it up with the school authority.
- If you are not able to find the source of the depression or anxiety, get them help. This is actually a very primal and important step. If you are unable to follow through what your child is saying, get them professional help and let them speak to a counselor or therapist. There are counselors available at schools as well.
As a teenager
- Having depression or anxiety as a teenager or a young adult might be more complex. In this case, if you are the one suffering, make your parents understand or speak to a counsellor. If you are a parent, then understand your child’s perspective, listen to what they have to say and get them the professional help they need.
- If you are experiencing racism and bullying at your school, speak to school authorities or make a federal complaint as racist comments and tormenting is against the law. Not only will it effect you personally but also torment you on the long run if it keeps prolonging.
- Talk to fellow Asians. Having healthy discussions with those who are undergoing the same problems as you can help you gain perspective and also help you find multiple solutions to your problem. It also helps you vent which is therapeutic.
As an adult:
- If you are adult feeling depressed, suffering with anxiety or vulnerable it is important that you learn to accept that you are suffering with a mental illness. It is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of and can be cured with dedication and a little bit of hard work.
- The first step is to accept that you have a mental illness. The next step is to find your resources. Talk to close ones, research on the web and find out ways to deal with your situation.
- Usually, as an immigrant there are many support groups you can join. Find a suitable nearby support group. Support groups can help you gain perspective and also help you find multiple solutions to your problem. It also helps you vent which is therapeutic. It also helps you learn to accept yourself as others have done so.
- If you are experiencing racism at your workplace or in your neighbourhood, there are many helplines to which you can complain to. Do not tolerate racism. The world is for all of us to live in together in peace and harmony.
- If you feel as if your depression or anxiety is aggravating by the day, seek professional help from a counselor or a therapist.
- If your depression or anxiety is because of a situation at home, foreign countries provide multiple social service resources to help you deal with such issues. Seek help from professional workers. Tolerating abuse, domestic, relationships, physical or emotional is not okay. If you are undergoing anything serious, contact for help immediately.
It might be difficult to be able to solve your problems as soon as you finish reading this article. But that’s okay. Rome wasn’t built in a day. This takes patience and perseverance to get the final result you want. Make sure you take the right decisions and do the right thing, always. If there are situations where others are being mean to you, there is no need to retaliate. Empty vessels make a lot of noise. Shine the brightest in the darkest room you are in. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Below are a few resources which you can use for self-help. We wish you the best for your future endeavors and good luck for your personal journey.
By Meena Atmakuri
