Are They Taboo? Topics of Discrimination and Mental Health in Asian Communities 

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Are They Taboo? Topics of Discrimination and Mental Health in Asian Communities 

It’s Asian Heritage Month! At COCo, we want to celebrate the important contributions of the Asian community in Canada, while also holding space for the challenges they may also face. Since it is also Mental Health Awareness Month and this is an issue of special concern to Asian communities, we want to highlight the importance of taking care of one’s mental health and offer some resources for Asian communities in Quebec. Let’s talk about it!

Identifying Stereotypes

First off, the Asian population is notably diverse! Thus, the experiences of discrimination and mental health are very nuanced in the Asian community. It seems as though the term ‘Asian’ was placed on the populations inhabiting the continent; however, they may not always identify as ‘Asian’ – they may prefer to identify with their country or culture. In Western countries, many similarities can be shared between Asian groups, such as immigration experiences and perceptions of mental health. At the same time, we also do not want to generalize their experiences; therefore, the following may or may not resonate with all Asian-identifying people. This is merely an invitation to delve into the discussion.

Throughout the years, the terms ‘yellow peril’ and ‘model minority’ have been associated with the Asian diaspora. In essence, the ‘yellow peril’ stereotype portrays Asian people as a threat to the White population, whereas the ‘model minority’ stereotype, assumes that Asian folks do not encounter discrimination as they have “successfully” established themselves into the host country.

Nevertheless, the ‘yellow peril’ and ‘model minority’ stereotypes have indisputably impacted the experiences of the Asian Canadian population. However, the sudden increase of anti-Asian racism incidents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic is evidence of the dormant biases against the Asian community in Canada. These incidents have also contributed to the general decline in mental health and how mental health is viewed in certain Asian communities.

Brief History and Policies of Asian Migration to Canada

Asian communities have been historically fundamental to the establishment of the country.  For example, Chinese workers were involved in the creation of the infamous Canadian railway of the nineteenth century. Without the support of Chinese immigrants, Canada would not have the railway that it dearly benefits from today. In fact, over 17,000 workers from China migrated to Canada to construct the railway tracks. Upon their arrival, they were blatantly excluded and treated with hostility, proven by how they were compensated half the pay of a white worker. The poor working conditions that Chinese workers endured led to many illnesses and hundreds of deaths. Moreover, the creation of the railway severely impacted the livelihood of Indigenous communities through the interference of their traditional ways of life and hunting territories, eventually forcing them into reserves.

As the railway was approaching its final touches towards the end of the nineteenth century, there was a wave of unemployment affecting both Chinese and European workers. However, influenced by its American neighbour (who implemented the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882), the Canadian government grew a sentiment of disdain towards Chinese immigrants, resulting in the call for a Royal Commission on Chinese Immigration in attempts to discourage this population from entering the country. From 1885 to 1903, the government of Canada enforced the Chinese Head Tax: the tax was initially priced at $50 in 1885, to $100 in 1902, and finally to $500 in 1903 – all of which did not prevent them from migrating into the country. Considering that Canada benefited from the labour of Chinese workers, it is absolutely absurd that the latter were obligated to pay the tax. Eventually, the Canadian government resorted to their own Chinese Exclusion Act in 1923, forbidding all Chinese people from entering the country, up until the end of the Chinese exclusion era in 1947. 

Despite the meaningful contributions of the Chinese workers in building the Canadian railway, these racist policies have all prevailed under the Canadian government for decades and still have a lasting impact on the Asian population to this day.

The Emergence of Yellow Peril

The ideology of ‘yellow peril’ was created during the nineteenth century by European imperialists who viewed Asian people as a threat to Western civilization and the power of White people. The emergence of the ‘yellow peril’ trope in the US heavily contributed to the passing of its Chinese Exclusion Act, leading to the above mentioned policies that were also passed in Canada. Although the derogative trope derived from the presence of Chinese people in North America, the stereotype also transcended to other Asian communities, mainly towards East and Southeast Asians.

Additionally, there was a fear that Asian communities would spread diseases. Medical conditions that would spread to a great number of people, such as the smallpox epidemic towards the end of the nineteenth century and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, were quickly and specifically associated with East and Southeast Asians.

The ‘Shift’: From Yellow Peril to Model Minority

Before the outburst of the COVID-19 pandemic, centuries of discrimination and exclusion of Asians have often been overlooked and almost forgotten when recounting the history of Canada. In the beginning of their settlement in North America, Asian people were seen as invaders. However, perceptions of the Asian community began to shift as the civil rights movement transpired in the US throughout the 1960s. Asian Americans were then considered the ‘model minority’ as they were compared to the Black American community and other communities who were at the forefront of the fight for civil liberties. 

This new stereotype, which also infiltrated Canadian ideologies, was created to pit minority groups against one another during a very important period for the racial justice movement. Nonetheless, the model minority myth is used to create the false impression that Asian people benefit from White privilege and therefore do not experience systemic oppression.

Yet the model minority stereotype in itself is contradicting: Asian folks are expected to be resourceful and perseverant – characteristics that are deemed to overcome racial barriers; on the other hand, they are also considered as ‘obedient’ minorities that would not challenge Western norms. It is the dominant Western group that discerns whether to perceive the presence of the Asian community in North America in a positive or negative light. Through this lens, Asian people are perceived as ‘perpetual foreigners’ – outsiders who will never truly belong; however, their experiences are often disregarded.

Under no circumstance do Asian people benefit from the model minority myth. In fact, the stereotype is merely a disguise for the underlying narrative of yellow peril – both ideas are two sides of the same racist coin.

The Re-emergence of Yellow Peril Post COVID-19

The increase of anti-Asian racism incidents that have transpired both in the US and in Canada since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic proves that the narrative of yellow peril never truly disappeared. Due to the history of the SARS outbreak of 2003, the occurrence of COVID-19 amplified the stagnant racist stereotypes about Asian people with regards to diseases. In fact, the coronavirus was labeled as the “Chinese virus” and “kung flu” by President Donald Trump at the height of the pandemic, building onto the anti-Asian sentiment throughout North America. During this period, Asians in the US and Canada reported a lower level of psychological well-being due to the discrimination they faced. 

It is remarkable how the Asian population, once considered the model demographic for minority groups, easily became ostracized upon the arrival of COVID-19. This demonstrates how quickly Western society shifts their perceptions of a racial group when it no longer benefits White supremacy.

Mental Health in Asian Communities

Did you know that in comparison to more than half of the general population, only 1 in 4 Asian Americans seek mental health support? In Canada, South Asians are 85% less likely to seek help during a depressive episode compared to their White peers. Similarly, East Asians are 74% less likely to ask for help. Yet, Asians have one the highest rates of mental illnesses and suicides in Canada… Why is it difficult for Asian-identifying community members to seek mental health services?

The pressures that Asian community members undergo, such as familial pressure, academic and career aspirations, and societal pressure to epitomize the model minority myth, impact their mental health. The discrimination they face is also a negative factor to their mental health. However, in Asian communities, the topic of mental health is often stigmatized. 

The stigmatization of mental health is deeply entrenched in Asian cultural values to the point that many Asian folks (unconsciously) neglect their mental health, preventing them from seeking help. Some folks may not even know that there are resources for treating mental illnesses. Others may not even know that they are experiencing mental health issues, especially if the people surrounding them do not exhibit their struggles. This is a common occurrence within Asian groups whose older generations project onto younger generations the denial of mental health issues. 

With all of that said, in the spirit of Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian Heritage Month, we want to encourage our community members to remember to take care of themselves, as well as their mental health, and to check in on one another! We also want to highlight the importance of seeking help. And so, we listed services and resources specifically catered to Asian-identifying people in the following section.

Resources

If you are a member of the Asian community in Quebec, here is an invitation to peruse the diverse services offered by Asian professionals, as well as Asian communities that we believe are doing an excellent job in contributing to social justice!

We have our lovely COCo Affiliates:

  • Parker Mah
  • Emil Briones
  • Emily Yee Clare
  • Taharima Habib
  • Sophie Le-Phat Ho

Here are a few external Asian professionals offering different services:

These are awesome organizations in Quebec that uplift Asian communities:

Finally, feel free to consult these resources catered to Asian-identifying individuals:

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