1. Lexington Asian Mental Health Initiative
Balancing Stress & Success:
An Asian American Perspective
March 29, 2014

2. Community Planning Group
Parents
Students
Police
School
Cultural organizations
Mental health experts
Artists
Community researchers from the Institute for Community Health

3. Year 1 activities Focus group of students Parent survey
Student-led student survey
School-based art project
Forum
Student art will be displayed at Lexington High School

4. Student focus group themes
Students care a lot about what their parents think about them
“My parents immigrated and struggled. I owe it to them.”
Parents see emotional problems as brought on oneself and should be able to be overcome oneself
Most likely to reach out to friends vs. adult
All cultures and families are different
Parents’ own educational experience was extremely competitive (tests to get into MS, HS, college)
Parents want them to have a stable life: one job, for life, be taken care of – don’t accept a wider view of what’s possible
Expect to suffer/stress now – payoff is later

5. Parent Survey
Designed a 10-item qualitative and quantitative survey to assess:
Personal background information
(e.g. #of years living in the United States)
Emotional health and wellness of Asian youth
Current coping strategies used by parents
Input for follow-up planning

6. Data Collection Methods
Distributed survey via Lexington cultural organizations
Chinese American Association of Lexington
Indian Americans of Lexington
Analyzed qualitative and quantitative survey responses

7. Response Statistics
Total number of responses received: 152

8. *Other response choices include: Caucasian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Jewish

9. How long have you lived in the U.S.?
Born here N = 14
1-10 years N = 14
11-20 years N = 50
21-30 years N = 41
31-65 years N = 25
Unable to categorize N = 4

13. For ‘No’ responses, why not?
Don’t want to disappoint parents
Importance of family image in community
Stigma about having mental health problems
Generation gap; kids need privacy
Lack of communication skills between parents and teens
“It’s a competitive town with competitive kids and parents: no one wants to admit needing help.” I

15. *Respondents could select more than one choice.

16. For ‘Other’ responses:
Utilize support systems
Professionals, who can be hard to find
School resources/camps
Faith-based community
Develop strong communication and foster support systems for children
Educate children on stress/anxiety
Foster adolescents’ interests/hobbies as an outlet for stress

17. For “Other” responses:
Barriers for Parents:
Not enough knowledge/resources to help children effectively
Information on Providers is limited
Adolescents’ don’t think they are suffering from any mental health issue
Self-awareness of stress/anxiety among teens

18. *Respondents could select more than one choice.

19. *Respondents could select more than one choice.

20. What would you like to learn about how to help your child stay emotionally healthy?

21. How to improve communication
Tips for effective communication for parents to discuss sensitive issues
Mental Health Information/Awareness
Potential emotional/stress triggers
Symptoms of emotional distress
Coping Methods for Teens
Time Management strategies, Work-Life Balance
Information on Community Resources
Data on the Scope of the Problem

22. Acknowledgments Community Health Network Area 15
Chinese-American Association of Lexington
Indian-Americans of Lexington
Town of Lexington
Lexington High School
Student and parent volunteers
Institute for Community Health