Growing up with immigrant parents has been a unique and enriching experience, shaping my worldview and perspective in ways that differ significantly from those of my peers. The cultural background and values instilled by my parents have undeniably played a crucial role in shaping my identity. However, one aspect that sets my upbringing apart is the approach to mental health, a topic often overlooked and even stigmatized within immigrant communities. Unlike many of my peers, my parents, like most immigrant parents, did not place a strong emphasis on mental health.

I did dance and track most of my life which of course led me to some physical injuries. I have had a fractured ankle and most recently a radial head fracture. My parents would often make sure that I was doing well physically, I was put in physical therapy after my injuries. It wasn’t until quarantine hit and I was stuck with my family 24/7 that I felt that my anxiety was at its peak. Not only did I worry about getting COVID but I was also worried about going back to school. I felt like it was normal to feel this, we were in a global pandemic of course. Once things went back to “normal” I still felt this way but I didn’t know why. I was tired most of the time, I was nervous all the time. My initial reaction was that I was stressed over school. As time went on I still felt this way.  I talked to my friends about it and they suggested seeing Tim. Tim was one of the school psychiatrists. Everyone loved Tim and went to him for everything. So the next day I went and saw him. He looked at me after talking for a bit and told me what I was feeling was anxiety. My direct response was no I think I’m stressed. He started to explain what anxiety was and how there were different ways to cope with it. That same year I learned different ways to cope with anxiety it was also the spring of my senior year. Knowing that I was about to go to college led to my anxiety increasing but knowing that there were people who were willing to help me learn how to manage my anxiety was a relief.

The reluctance to acknowledge mental health issues within immigrant families can be attributed to various factors, including cultural norms, lack of awareness, and the stigma associated with seeking help for psychological concerns. In my household, conversations about emotions, stress, or anxiety were scarce. The prevailing belief was that one should persevere through difficulties without openly expressing vulnerability. Growing up with this mindset presented challenges as I tried to navigate the complexities of adolescence and young adulthood. Peer conversations often revolved around mental health, therapy, and self-care, topics that felt foreign in my home. I knew what most of these topics were but I never really took part in them. It created a sense of isolation, as I grappled with internal struggles without the familial support that some of my peers enjoyed. Initiating conversations about mental health within an immigrant family presented its own set of challenges. Breaking through cultural barriers and dispelling misconceptions required patience and empathy. My attempts to educate my parents about the legitimacy of mental health struggles, the benefits of seeking professional help, and the destigmatization of therapy were met with a mixture of curiosity and resistance. With time their perspective shifted and had came to terms with the fact that not everyone is perfect. We all have internal struggles and it’s okay to seek help especially when you need it.