The Asian American Association (AAA) held a general meeting on October 9 to discuss the mental health challenges faced by college students. This meeting emphasized the importance of addressing mental health and breaking the stigma associated with it, particularly within the Asian American community.
Daphne Yu, a sophomore at the University of Missouri and AAA’s external vice president, opened the discussion by referencing a 2012 survey from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which found that 6.9% of adults experienced depression in the past year and 18.1% dealt with anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Participants were divided into small groups to define ‘mental health.’ Their responses varied, with some describing it as ‘psychological and emotional stability’ while others simply equated it to ‘being happy.’ This group activity aimed to encourage open dialogue about mental health.
Later in the meeting, students demonstrated increased confidence in distinguishing facts from misconceptions about mental illness. Most attendees correctly rejected the notion that discussing suicide could prompt suicide attempts. They also acknowledged that firearms are more frequently used in suicides than homicides in the U.S. Furthermore, they recognized that suicide is the second leading cause of death for Asian Americans aged 18 to 34, according to a 2007 report by the American Psychological Association.
Despite this knowledge, many students were unaware that only about 2% of Asian Americans report symptoms of depression to their doctors, compared to a national average of 13%. This gap highlights the need for increased awareness and accessibility of mental health resources.
Tessa Miles, AAA’s social chair, emphasized the importance of de-stigmatizing mental health issues across all communities. ‘The stigma surrounding mental health is a major reason why people hesitate to seek help,’ she stated.
During the discussion, some attendees called for improved support from the university. Brandon Spink, AAA’s internal vice president, noted that the administration should enhance mental health resources and better advertise them. He shared his personal experience with depression and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), stressing the need for professors to receive training on mental health issues. ‘Professors often lack understanding of what students face daily and assume all students are the same,’ he explained.
The meeting concluded with a sense of optimism. Graduate student Kevin Guevara remarked, ‘I never really knew how to approach this topic before.’ Hong Truong, a senior member of AAA, reflected that mental health discussions are ‘a brand new topic this year’ for their community.
Miles reminded attendees that mental health challenges are common and that seeking help is nothing to be ashamed of. ‘Everyone should acknowledge that they are not alone in their struggles,’ she said. ‘Mental health issues are more prevalent than they realize.’ This meeting served as a vital step in fostering a supportive environment for students to discuss mental health openly.
