Lawrenceville, October 28, 2023 – Cross Connection International and The University of Georgia's School of Social Work organized a forum focusing on Korean American Youth Behavioral Health at the UGA Gwinnett campus. The forum was designed to create awareness about the issues and challenges in addressing the mental health crisis among Korean American youths. The Covid-19 pandemic has created additional barriers and challenges for Asian American students in the U.S.
Over 100 Korean community participants gathers to witnessed presentations by subjects experts, social workers, and academic researchers from across the country.
“Issues of mental or behavioral health are often considered a taboo in the Asian American families and communities. It is not a point of pride for anyone to experience or to know of someone close who is experiencing mental or behavioral health challenges. Therefore, it is difficult to accept that this is a matter of concern that requires social support for and professional prevention and intervention efforts. Raising awareness of the deep seated prevalence, the increasing trend, and the disconnect with existing systems, especially among our youth, is something that is of importance that we tried to highlight through this event. The discussion started with the Korean American youth but this topic is one that the Asian community come together and establish a strong support for our children and families. UGA School of Social Work would like to be a resource for Georgia’s Asian community,” said Dean Phillip Hong, University of Georgia's Department of Social Work.
The forum revealed that the “Model Minority” stereotype that inaccurately portrays Asian Americans has caused intense pressure for students to succeed in college.
“Korean American students often faces racism in school that lowers their self-esteem and increasing stress impacting their academic performances,” said Katie K. Soo, Associate Professor, Department of Counseling & Human Development Services, University of Georgia in her presentation.
A major part of the forum discussion centered around the “inter-generational” traumas caused by conflicting generational values between the parents and Korean American youths. Korean American youths often suffers from a loss of identity, racism, self esteem caused by immigration trauma, according to Julia Lee of RICE Counseling Center.
A staggering statistic shared at the forum revealed that over 60% of college students reported that they experienced mental illness since they started college. Korean or Korean American students reported the highest depression rate compared to other Asian peers, according to a 2021 study. Only 22% of students who reported depression seek professional help.
The forum advocated practical support tools and resources available for parents and Korean American youths who suffers from mental and behavioral health challenges.
