School-based mental health for Asian American immigrant youth: Perceptions and recommendations.

Abstract

Despite the promise of school-based mental health (SBMH) in increasing access to mental health services among Asian American (AA) youth, these youth continue to underutilize such services. Although initial research has sought to examine disparities among SBMH service use, these studies have been few in number and have almost exclusively used survey methodology. Accordingly, this study sought to obtain in-depth information from urban-residing, first-and second-generation AA immigrant youth regarding their perceptions of SBMH services, as well as their recommendations for how schools can seek to better engage and address the mental health needs of these students. Thirty-three (n ϭ 33; 58% female) school-aged AA youth participated in focus groups. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Themes related to awareness and misconceptions of SBMH, as well as positive and negative views of SBMH services, emerged from the students' responses. Further, several recommendations were emphasized, including (a) providing psychoeducation about mental health and services, (b) engaging students and parents, and (c) maintaining privacy and confidentiality. Findings have implications for the development and tailoring of SBMH services for first-and second-generation AA immigrant youth. What is the public significance of this article?This study sought to obtain information from urban-residing, first-and second-generation Asian American immigrant youth regarding their perceptions of school-based mental health (SBMH) services. Findings point to varying levels of awareness and misconceptions regarding SBMH, positive and negative views of SBMH, and several student recommendations for how to improve SBMH. Findings have implications for the development and tailoring of SBMH services for first-and second-generation Asian American immigrant youth.

A mixed methods analysis of youth mental health intervention feasibility and acceptability in a North American city: Perspectives from Seattle, Washington

“…Consistent with previous studies [ 22 , 23 ], participants in both the quantitative and qualitative studies identified schools as a priority setting for mental health interventions. School-based mental health programming has been effective in improving social skills, overall well-being, and reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms in some samples [ 24 – 27 ].…”

Minding the gap: Evidence, implementation and funding gaps in mental health services delivery for school-aged children

“… Anyon et al (2014) similarly called for more research to better understand the cultural and contextual influences on youth help-seeking after they found that Asian youth were significantly less likely than their Black, Latinx, and multiracial peers to access and use school-based mental health prevention services. A focus group study of Asian American youth ( Arora & Algios, 2019 ) found that limited awareness as well as misconceptions about the types of services offered through school-based mental health programs (and for whom they are appropriate) deterred Asian American youth from reaching out for those supports.…”

Culturally adapting youth mental health first aid training for Asian Americans.

“…In addition, second-generation Asian Americans have higher rates of mental health disorders (depression and anxiety) compared with nonimmigrant (3+ generation) non-Hispanic Whites ( OR = 2.51; 95% CI [1.22–5.17]; Georgiades et al, 2018). Despite these high rates of mental health challenges, Asian American adolescents are less likely to seek mental health services at school compared with their non-Asian peers (Bear et al, 2014; Wang, Cramer, et al, 2019), possibly due to low mental health literacy (MHL), attitudinal barriers (e.g., stigma), structural/practical barriers (e.g., lack of culturally competent mental health providers, confidentiality concerns), and lack of parental support and communication about help seeking (Arora & Algios, 2019; Wang, Cramer, et al, 2019; Wang, Do, et al, 2019). Parents are often gatekeepers for youth seeking mental health services because youth need their parents’ consent and support to seek services.…”

“…However, engaging ethnic minority families in school-based mental health services (SBMHSs) is a serious challenge (Weist et al, 2003). For example, Asian American adolescents reported that significant resistance from their parents prevented youth from seeking SBMHS (Arora & Algios, 2019). Providing mental health education through parenting workshops about Asian American youth mental health challenges can be a less stigmatizing way to engage Asian American parents in SBMHS (Wang, Marsico, et al, 2020).…”