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California Aggie Success in school can come at the expense of mental health By: Timothy Jue In 2005, the United States Department of Health and Human Services reported that Asian American females between the ages of 15 and 24 had the highest suicide rate among all women in that age range. Experts claim that a whole host of psychological problems can explain why the rate is so high, but many point to a cultural and parental emphasis on educational achievement and lack of emotional outlet that often result in greater stress levels among Asian American students. This can be especially true in high school when students vie for top class rankings and high college entrance exam scores. With the recent suicide of Jennifer Tse, a junior biochemistry and molecular biology major at UC Davis, the issue of stress among the Asian American female population has been brought to the forefront. At Tse's alma mater, Monta Vista High School, located in the suburban Silicon Valley city of Cupertino, Calif., Asian Americans made up nearly half of the school's population of 2,475 students, and its 2004-2005 Academic Performance Index score was 924 out of 1,000, making it one of the best performing schools in the state. "Every year, I see the bar being raised by the school, because the kids demand it, and the parents demand it," said Hung Wei, a former PTA co-president at Monta Vista High School, whose son David, now a student at UCLA, graduated with Tse. She said she feels that students' lives at Monta Vista and other high schools in the region are often filled with extracurricular activities to pad college applications, creating a high-pressure, academics-oriented environment that leaves little or no time to relax. "Everybody has to go home, they have piano lessons, violin lessons, they have to go to their math tutor, they have to do their homework, they have to go volunteer," she said. "Students go from one activity to another, and there's no time to enjoy a game with friends, or simply relax." To Wei, the rigorous focus on academics in Asian American households can shelter students from learning how to live independently in college. In 2004, her daughter Diana, a graduate of Monta Vista High, committed suicide by jumping off of a Manhattan skyscraper while attending New York University after a falling out with her boyfriend. Wei said she saw the signs of distress in Diana, but failed to intervene in time to save her daughter's life. Now, she hopes that by informing Asian parents about the importance of seeking help, she can prevent other families from suffering the loss she did. "Culturally, Asian people think it's very shameful to talk to a psychologist, and they're not open to psychological counseling," she said. "[But] when the littlest sign comes up, don't ignore it, and treat it very seriously - start paying attention and consult with professionals if necessary." Dr. Stanley Sue, a UC Davis psychology professor who specializes in Asian American mental health, said the pressure put on Asian American students to succeed in school can have benefits and drawbacks. "It does result in achievement, but there's always an unintended consequence," he said. Sue explained that in many Asian families, there is an extreme sense of commitment and loyalty to parents who often pressure their children to meet high established goals, usually at the expense of one's emotional well-being. "There's a lot of internalization in Asian Americans," he said. "Parents often tell their children what you should and should not do, and when you fail at that, there's a terrible blow to your being." He said the pressure to succeed can be passed on to future generations to apply their children to meet high expectations. "As a first generation Asian parent, they recognize that they want their child to do well because they struggled to come here," Wei said. "And being so concentrated on getting their children into a good college, most parents are unable and untrained to help their children in their emotional needs." Those in need of assistance can contact the UC Davis Counseling and Psychological Services in 219 North Hall or by calling 752-0871. TIMOTHY JUE can be reached at city@californiaaggie.com. |
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