Concerns about Suicide among Asian Americans: The Need for Outreach?

Abstract

Suicide was the ninth leading cause of death for Asian Americans in 2017. The growth of Asian American populations has led to more discussions about suicide prevention efforts. A 128-item needs assessment survey was administered at cultural events in 10 predominantly immigrant Asian communities. In five years, 1,840 respondents (61 percent response rate) filled out the survey anonymously to express their health and mental health concerns. This study aims to identify factors and help-seeking behaviors associated with having suicidal concerns among Asian Americans in various subgroups. Among the respondents, 1,314 rated the intensity of their concerns about suicide with an average of 0.74 (SD = 1.11) on a four-point rating scale in that 13.7 percent rated their concerns as severe. Taiwanese respondents expressed the highest intensity score (1.09) compared with other ethnic groups (from 0.29 to 1.04). A logistic regression analysis found that each unit of health concerns on a four-point rating scale significantly increases the likelihood of suicide concerns by 46 times among Asian Americans. Consistent with previous studies, immigrants were likely to share mental health problems with friends and physicians. Effective suicide prevention requires mental health awareness programming for the Asian American community.

Sociodemographic and precipitating circumstances associated with suicide among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: A survival analysis.

“…Despite increasing suicide rates, the discussion of mental health and suicide remains a taboo topic in AAPI communities and is often associated with stigma for social, cultural, and religious reasons (Leung, 2020). Exposure to social stigma may create barriers to utilizing psychological treatment because of shame and unwillingness to burden others (K.…”

“…Comparing Asian Americans and other racial groups is problematic, however, as it obscures and overlooks the experiences and factors that are specific to AAPI communities and contribute to their rate of suicide. Despite increasing suicide rates, the discussion of mental health and suicide remains a taboo topic in AAPI communities and is often associated with stigma for social, cultural, and religious reasons (Leung, 2020). Exposure to social stigma may create barriers to utilizing psychological treatment because of shame and unwillingness to burden others (K. G. Yang et al, 2020).…”