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Asians at Risk
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| When it comes to problems such as substance abuse, depression, or even suicide, it can be tough for any teenager to seek help. If you’re an Asian-American teenager, it can be even tougher. Cultural issues of shame and embarrassment keep many Asian people from ever discussing their problems or looking for help. But a group of Asian-American teenagers living near San Francisco is trying to change that. | |||
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In many ways, Christina Kwong is like most American teenagers. She’s concerned about a date for the prom and keeping up with her homework, and she loves to talk on her cell phone.
But Christina knows she and her Asian-American friends are subtly different. They’re less likely to seek help.
Christina Kwong: “I really felt that I should keep it to myself like the traditional Asian Americans, what they would think. Keep it to yourself and don’t tell anyone about your problems.”
Michael Yoshii / Pastor, Buena Vista United Methodist Church: “There are a number of things that go on that we don’t talk about. And it’s peculiar to the culture, I believe, that people don’t want to embarrass family members, don’t want to bring shame to their families.”
Members of the Buena Vista United Methodist Church in Alameda, Calif., have launched a Community Peer Counseling project for Asian-Pacific youth.
Half a dozen Asian-American teenagers, including Christina, meet once a week to talk about issues like substance abuse, depression and date rape. The peer counselors in training are learning to be better listeners, and to recognize their own limits when someone needs professional help.
Natsound: “Are the parents also concerned with how people outside of their family see them?” “Definitely.”
Through field trips like this, to a nearby Asian Community Mental Health Center, they’re learning what resources are available.
Natsound: “I cannot talk to my parents about things.”
Church leaders hope the teens’ newfound knowledge will spread.
Pastor Michael Yoshii: “The youth, in other words, cannot only reach their peers, but they can also reach other adults within the community.”
Yoshii looks at the peer counselors as ambassadors in the community. He says change may come incrementally, but teens like Christina say they can make a difference.
Asians at Risk – TAG:
The Asian-Pacific peer counselors also plan to work with the staff at their local high school, to help them better understand issues particular to Asian-American teens.