Cultural influence

Parental pressure to succeed in academics

Discussing mental health concerns is considered taboo in many Asian cultures and as a result Asian Americans tend to dismiss, deny or neglect their symptoms
Pressure to live up to the "model minority" stereotype (a view that inaccurately portrays Asian Americans as successfully integrating into mainstream culture and having overcome the challenges of racial bias)
Family obligations based on strong traditional and cultural values
Discrimination due to racial or cultural background
Difficulty in balancing two different cultures and developing a bicultural sense of self
Getting outside help may also conflict with the Asian American cultural value of interdependence, which stresses that family or community can meet all a person’s needs. This value perpetuates the idea that people should not seek professional help when relying on their family or community
Getting outside help may also conflict with the Asian American cultural value of interdependence, which stresses that family or community can meet all a person’s needs. This value perpetuates the idea that people should not seek professional help when relying on their family or community

Several prevalent religions in Asian American countries promote the idea that mental illness:
is a sin or divine punishment
represents disrupted energy flow or an internal imbalance
stems from a lack of faith
can be cured with enough faith, prayer, or good behaviour