Summary: - Learn about Asian cultures, traditions and values as they relate to mental health - Learn about communication styles to help the counselor more effectively communicate with culturally different clients - Explore health disparities - Explore appropriate approaches to counseling General Information - Asian Americans have a 17.30 percent overall lifetime rate of any psychiatric disorder and a 9.19 percent 12-month rate, yet Asian Americans are three times less likely to seek mental health services than Whites - Cultural factors, such as language, age, gender, and others, can influence the mental health of Asians, particularly immigrants - Asians place great value on the family as a unit. Each individual has a clearly defined role and position in the family hierarchy and is expected to function within that role, submitting to the larger needs of the family. - Social stigma, shame, and saving face often prevent Asians from seeking behavioral health care - Asian patients are likely to express psychological distress as physical complaints
