A Stanford psychiatrist is highlighting the unique mental health challenges faced by Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth in the United States. In an interview with Psychiatric Times, Dr. Apurva Bhatt discussed the cultural stigma and barriers to care that contribute to higher rates of suicide and underutilization of mental health services in this population.
“To effectively address suicidality among AAPI youth, it is crucial for clinicians to embrace culturally competent approaches,” said Bhatt, a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health and clinical assistant professor at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Studies show that Asians are less likely to access mental health treatment compared to white individuals, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues among youth of all backgrounds. However, due to cultural framing of mental illness and stigma, AAPI youth may be even less likely to seek help early on and instead present later in crisis.
Bhatt emphasized the need for clinicians to receive ongoing training to understand the unique cultural nuances and stigmas related to mental health in AAPI communities. She also noted that Asian Americans and South Asian populations are understudied in most mental health related research.
Suicide was the leading cause of death for AAPI individuals aged 15 to 24 in 2019, underscoring the urgency of addressing these disparities and improving access to culturally competent care for AAPI youth.
“Supporting the Mental Health of AAPI Youth” (May 23)
