Let's Talk About Mental Health
You are not alone. Here are some steps toward getting help and some scripts to help talk about your health concerns when you are ready.
Identify the Feelings
Feel Anxious/Worried/Overwhelmed/Sad/Academic stress
Talk with someone
Seek out a therapist or talk with parents about finding professional help.
How to Pay
Possible insurance question/sliding scale/coverage.
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Meet the therapist
Talk or meet the therapist to check out if you're comfortable talking with them.
Starting the conversation about mental health challenges can be a barrier, especially when it is not a topic that is often discussed at home. Based on a study conducted by Reda in 2023, emerging adults of South Asian females struggle with wanting to seek counseling but also fearing disappointment from their parents. This speaks to the barrier of beginning the conversation with family members.
Whatever led you here, I hope that you find the resources you need. There are a great number of websites with additional resources available. This is just one of many. Please continue to explore resources and begin the conversation when you are ready.
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I want to talk to you about something important. Is now a good time? I want to be open with you about how I'm feeling, and I value your support and guidance in this process
I understand if this might be surprising or concerning for you. I want you to know that seeking therapy doesn't mean I'm not capable of handling things on my own. It's just a step I want to take to improve my mental health
I've been feeling anxious/depressed/overwhelmed lately, and I think it would be helpful for me to talk to a therapist. I believe therapy can provide me with the support and tools I need to feel better.
I would really appreciate it if you could help me find a therapist or support me in seeking professional help. It would mean a lot to me to have your support in this.
Here are some scripts that might help guide the conversation with family, therapists, or insurance companies.
Common Myths
on mental health for some South Asians
01
"It's just a phase"
Many SA individuals have shared that when they bring it up to their family members, they often get some resistance or invalidation. Sometimes, they're told, "it's just a phase" or "what do you have to be sad about?" or "you're just tired, so get some sleep." These responses can be quite invalidating and essentially harmful to the individual who worked up the courage to speak with someone. If they are coming to you to speak about it, it is possible that they've been thinking about it or sitting with these thoughts and feelings for a long time.
03
"Only women get depressed"
Patriarchal values are fundamental to some South Asian societies, where males and females hold very different statuses in society and their family (Patel et al., 2012; Rai & Choi, 2018). Males who are struggling with any mental health conditions, substance use, or who are exploring their gender/sexual orientation may feel added pressure to keep silent, fear of brining shame to the family or being ostracized. The view that males do not struggle causes them to not report or talk about their challenges, which can lead to many other harmful consequences.
02
"Talking to someone outside of the home is bad and shameful"
Some respondents from the South Asian community have shared that they're afraid to talk with a professional about their mental health or substance use challenges because "everyone will know and my family will be embarrassed or worse, shunned." Because of its collectivist traditions, many South Asian communities worry that any negative behavior will be reflective of the whole family and bring shame (Moller et al., 2016; Rastogi & Wadhwa, 2006; Reda, 2023).
04
"Only medicine can fix this"
Researchers have found that often times, South Asian community members somaticize their psychological symptoms and seek out physicians to prescribe a remedy (a special diet, or exercise, or prescription medication). There are many options for therapy. Pharmacotherapy is just one option. It is important to incorporate other options into therapy for greater benefit and best support for our health journeys. Psychotherapy (talk therapy), life style changes (exercise), or mind/body therapy (mediation) are among many options available to help.