Understanding Mental Health and Suicide Issues

Updated on July 12, 2017

Understanding Suicide Issues
Based on American Psychological Association’s 2007 report, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Asian-Americans aged 15-34. In a survey targeted towards Asian-Americans college students, it was found that they were more likely than other racial groups to have had suicidal thoughts and to attempt suicide. Among all Asian-Americans, young adults had the highest suicide rate (12.44 per 100,000). The results of the survey also showed among all middle aged asian americans, especially females, have a higher suicide rate and attempt compared to nation’s average. The reasons that lead to suicide attempts and behavior based on the survey include the following:

  1. Most mental health reasons are related to depression and anxiety.
  2. Family expectation and stress
  3. The long term effects of having a chronic disease

It is not hard to conclude from this information, long term mental and psychological stress, are the main causes for suicide attempts and behavior. This kind of stress is usually found in Asian American families because of cultural limitations. Some misunderstandings about mental health are, “Just hold it in and it will disappear” , “It will gradually get better by itself”, often will unconsciously increase the risk of suicide and mental health problems. The first step to solving the problem is admitting there is a problem, if anybody finds themselves having mental stress or suicidal thoughts, asking for help from a hospital, police, school mental services, and other community services is the most important thing to do, denying the problem is not a good way to solve it.

If you want to better learn about mental health issues, or need some professional help or education, you are welcome to come to Midwest Asian Health Association’s mental health clinic.  

Address: 230 W Cermak Rd 2nd Fl Chicago IL 60616

Tel: (312)-285-2287

了解自杀问题

根据美国心理协会(American Psychological Association)2007年的数据,自杀在15-34岁的青年中是超过绝大多数疾病在内的第二大死亡原因。在一项针对亚裔大学生的心理健康调查中,亚裔青年/大学生展现出了比其他族裔更高的自杀倾向。青少年也是亚裔中自杀率最高的年龄组,达到(12.44每100,000人)。报告中的其他数据也表明,亚裔中年人,尤其是女性,与美国平均水平相比有着更高的自杀率和自杀倾向。同一项报告中更进一步指出,可能导致自杀倾向和行为的原因有:

  1. 心理健康问题,主要体现在抑郁症和焦虑性障碍症
  2. 包括家庭在内的社会压力
  3. 长期的慢性疾病

其实根据以上的信息不难总结,长期的心理和精神压力,通常是造成自杀倾向和行为的最主要原因。而由于文化上的局限,这种压力在亚裔家庭中体现的又较为明显。一些对于心理健康错误的理解和暗示,诸如“忍一忍就过去了”,“慢慢总会好起来的”之类的想法,常常会在不知不觉中增加心理压力和自杀的风险。解决问题的第一步就是面对问题,任何人如果发现自己有长期的精神压力甚至自杀倾向,最需要做的自然就是寻求帮助,医院,警察,社区、学校心理服务和其他社会服务机构都是很好的选择,而讳疾忌医的心态实不可取。

如果您想了解更多关于心理健康的信息,或是需要专业人员进行心理健康的教育和疏导,欢迎到美亚心理健康协会的心理咨询中心咨询。

地址:美亚健康协会, 芝加哥唐人街捨麦路230号二楼

电话号码: (312)-285-2287

Suicide Problem Control and Guidance

Suicide problems are serious, but if we face it positively,  it may not have such a disastrous effect. Besides just looking for professional help , family support is another very important factor in dealing with suicidal thoughts and behavior. Family members have the ability to monitor suicide behaviors of the patient, in addition they can provide mental and psychological support, to give them hope a reason to live. In addition, always pay attention to their behavior, identify high risk behavior, is also a very important prevention method, below are some easy ways to identify high risk behaviors:

  1. Giving away valuable personal items
  2. Often talking about death or suicide
  3. Getting ready for suicide, for example writing a will, or researching about suicide data
  4. Having very obvious personality changes

The above examples are not the only identifiable actions, but most are very similar, main point is to have careful observation in their behavior. Once a family member or friend is identified with a mental or psychological problem, you should show more love and be more caring, no matter what building a better family relationship should do no harm. To deal with any psychological problems, the most important element is to prevent, be cautious,  pay attention to details, that is the best attitude to deal with mental health issues.

If you have any questions related to suicide problems, or have any need for professional help or education,  you are welcome to visit or contact Midwest Asian Health Association’s mental health clinic.  

Address: 230 W Cermak Rd 2nd Fl Chicago IL 60616

Tel: (312)-285-2287

自杀问题的控制与疏导

自杀问题虽然可怕,然而如果积极面对,便不一定会造成灾难性的后果。应对自杀倾向与自杀行为,除了寻求专业的心理咨询和药物治疗之外。家庭内部的关心也是极其重要的一环。家庭成员们既可以增加对于有自杀倾向者的监督,从行为上控制;也可以增加精神和心理上的支持,使他们获得更多生存下去的希望和理由。除此以外,时刻关注他们的行为,识别高危险性的行为,也是很重要的预防一环,以下就是一些比较容易识别的高危险行为:

  1. 把属于自己的贵重之物送人
  2. 经常谈及死亡或自杀
  3. 准备自杀的具体行为,比如写遗嘱,在网上了解有关自杀的资料
  4. 明显而强烈的性格改变

实际上的行为当然不止以上的例子,但是万变不离其宗,主旨还在于细心观察。一旦能够识别出长期在高强度心理和精神压力之下的家人或朋友,不妨多表示出一些关心和爱护,无论如何,这对于更好的人家关系的构建,总是有百利而无一害的。处理任何心理问题,功夫都在于平时的预防和疏导,谨小慎微,防微杜渐,不使千里之堤毁于蚁穴,才是建设良好心理健康最优秀的态度。

如果您对于自杀的预防和疏导有疑问,或是需要专业人员进行心理健康的教育和疏导,欢迎到美亚心理健康协会的心理咨询中心咨询。

地址:美亚健康协会, 芝加哥唐人街捨麦路230号二楼

电话号码: (312)-285-2287