Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal 1/2015

01-01-2015 | Original Paper

Exploring the Role of Ethnic Media and the Community Readiness to Combat Stigma Attached to Mental Illness Among Vietnamese Immigrants: The Pilot Project Tam An (Inner Peace in Vietnamese)

Authors: Meekyung Han, Lien Cao, Karen Anton

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 1/2015

Login to get access

Abstract

Vietnamese Americans are at high risk for developing mental health disorders due to multiple risk factors such as trauma and acculturative stress. However, the utilization of mental health services has been low. The pilot project Tam An was implemented to raise mental health awareness by engaging community resources in the Vietnamese population. Informed by the Community Readiness Model and through local ethnic media sources, messages to destigmatize mental health and promote the willingness to initiate mental health treatment were presented. Using an exploratory perspective, findings from focus group data suggest that the project improved the community’s stage of readiness.
Footnotes
1
AARS provides culturally and linguistically competent health and mental health services to diverse groups and has been one of the most proactive community-based agencies serving Vietnamese with mental health problems in the Bay Area, Northern California. As of January 1. 2014, AARS officially merged with HealthRIGHT 360 and become a program of HealthRIGHT360, a San Francisco based nonprofit that gives hope, builds health, and changes lives for people in need by providing compassionate, integrated care, that includes primary medical, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment.
 
Literature
go back to reference Akutsu, P. D., & Chu, J. P. (2006). Clinical problems that initiate professional help-seeking behaviors for Asian Americans. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 37(4), 407–415.CrossRef Akutsu, P. D., & Chu, J. P. (2006). Clinical problems that initiate professional help-seeking behaviors for Asian Americans. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 37(4), 407–415.CrossRef
go back to reference Asian American Recovery Services [AARS]. (2010). Final narrative report. Unpublished internal report for RWJF. CA: San Jose. Asian American Recovery Services [AARS]. (2010). Final narrative report. Unpublished internal report for RWJF. CA: San Jose.
go back to reference Atkinson, D. R., Ponterotto, J. G., & Sanchez, A. R. (1984). Attitudes of Vietnamese and Anglo-American students toward counseling. Journal of College Student Personnel, 25, 448–452. Atkinson, D. R., Ponterotto, J. G., & Sanchez, A. R. (1984). Attitudes of Vietnamese and Anglo-American students toward counseling. Journal of College Student Personnel, 25, 448–452.
go back to reference Baker, C., Pistrang, N., Shapiro, D. A., Davies, D. A., & Shaw, I. (1993). You in mind: A preventative mental health television series. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 32, 281–297.CrossRef Baker, C., Pistrang, N., Shapiro, D. A., Davies, D. A., & Shaw, I. (1993). You in mind: A preventative mental health television series. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 32, 281–297.CrossRef
go back to reference Center on Child Abuse and Neglect. (2000). Community readiness: A promising model for community healing. Washington, DC: US Department of Justice. Center on Child Abuse and Neglect. (2000). Community readiness: A promising model for community healing. Washington, DC: US Department of Justice.
go back to reference Demyan, A. L., & Anderson, A. (2012). Effects of a brief media intervention on expectations, attitudes, and intentions of mental health help seeking. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 59(2), 222–229.PubMedCrossRef Demyan, A. L., & Anderson, A. (2012). Effects of a brief media intervention on expectations, attitudes, and intentions of mental health help seeking. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 59(2), 222–229.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Edwards, R. W., Jumper-Thurman, P., Plested, B. A., Oetting, E. R., & Swanson, L. (2000). Community readiness: Research to practice. tri-ethnic center for prevention research. Journal of Community Psychology, 28(3), 291–307.CrossRef Edwards, R. W., Jumper-Thurman, P., Plested, B. A., Oetting, E. R., & Swanson, L. (2000). Community readiness: Research to practice. tri-ethnic center for prevention research. Journal of Community Psychology, 28(3), 291–307.CrossRef
go back to reference Essler, V., Arthur, A., & Stickley, T. (2006). Using a school-based intervention to challenge stigmatizing attitudes and promote mental health in teenagers. Journal of Mental Health, 15(2), 243–250.CrossRef Essler, V., Arthur, A., & Stickley, T. (2006). Using a school-based intervention to challenge stigmatizing attitudes and promote mental health in teenagers. Journal of Mental Health, 15(2), 243–250.CrossRef
go back to reference Gonzalez, J. M., Tinsley, H. E., & Kreuder, K. R. (2002). Effects of psychoeducational interventions on opinions of mental illness, attitudes toward help-seeking, and expectations about psychotherapy in college students. Journal of College Students Development, 43, 51–63. Gonzalez, J. M., Tinsley, H. E., & Kreuder, K. R. (2002). Effects of psychoeducational interventions on opinions of mental illness, attitudes toward help-seeking, and expectations about psychotherapy in college students. Journal of College Students Development, 43, 51–63.
go back to reference Goossens, M. E., Vlaeyens, J. W., Hidding, A., Kolesnijders, A., & Evers, M. A. (2005). Treatment expectancy affects the outcome of cognitive-behavioral interventions in chronic pain. Clinical Journal of Pain, 21, 18–26.PubMedCrossRef Goossens, M. E., Vlaeyens, J. W., Hidding, A., Kolesnijders, A., & Evers, M. A. (2005). Treatment expectancy affects the outcome of cognitive-behavioral interventions in chronic pain. Clinical Journal of Pain, 21, 18–26.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Haines, D. W. (1985). Refugees in the United States: A reference handbook. Westport, CT: Greenwood. Haines, D. W. (1985). Refugees in the United States: A reference handbook. Westport, CT: Greenwood.
go back to reference Hein, J. (1995). From Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia: A refugee experience in the United States. New York: Twayne Publishers. Hein, J. (1995). From Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia: A refugee experience in the United States. New York: Twayne Publishers.
go back to reference Ida, D. J., & Ya, D. Y. (2007). Research and evaluation on programs for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander populations. Focal Point Research, Policy, and Practice in Children’s Mental Health, 21(2), 28–31. Ida, D. J., & Ya, D. Y. (2007). Research and evaluation on programs for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander populations. Focal Point Research, Policy, and Practice in Children’s Mental Health, 21(2), 28–31.
go back to reference Kim, P. Y., & Park, J. J. L. (2009). Testing a multiple mediation model of Asian American college students’ willingness to see a counselor. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 15(3), 295–302.PubMedCrossRef Kim, P. Y., & Park, J. J. L. (2009). Testing a multiple mediation model of Asian American college students’ willingness to see a counselor. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 15(3), 295–302.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Lee, S., Juon, H., Martinez, G., Hsu, C., Robinson, E., Bawa, J., et al. (2009). Model minority at risk: Expressed needs of mental health by Asian American young adults. Journal of Community Health: The Publication for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, 34(2), 144–152.CrossRef Lee, S., Juon, H., Martinez, G., Hsu, C., Robinson, E., Bawa, J., et al. (2009). Model minority at risk: Expressed needs of mental health by Asian American young adults. Journal of Community Health: The Publication for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, 34(2), 144–152.CrossRef
go back to reference Leung, P., Cheung, M., & Cheung, A. (2010). Vietnamese Americans and depression: A Health and mental health concern. Social Work in Mental Health, 8(6), 526–542.CrossRef Leung, P., Cheung, M., & Cheung, A. (2010). Vietnamese Americans and depression: A Health and mental health concern. Social Work in Mental Health, 8(6), 526–542.CrossRef
go back to reference Lewin, K. (1947). Group decision and social change. In T. M. Newcomb & E. L. Hartley (Eds.), Readings in social psychology (pp. 330–345). New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart & Winston Inc. Lewin, K. (1947). Group decision and social change. In T. M. Newcomb & E. L. Hartley (Eds.), Readings in social psychology (pp. 330–345). New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart & Winston Inc.
go back to reference Lien, O., & Rice, P. (1992). Concepts of mental illness of Vietnamese and the attitude toward psychiatric services. Medical Journal of Vietnamese Medical Association in Canada, 115, 69–77. Lien, O., & Rice, P. (1992). Concepts of mental illness of Vietnamese and the attitude toward psychiatric services. Medical Journal of Vietnamese Medical Association in Canada, 115, 69–77.
go back to reference Luu, T. D., Leung, P., & Nash, S. G. (2009). Help-seeking attitudes among Vietnamese Americans: The impact of acculturation, cultural barriers and spiritual beliefs. Social Work in Mental Health, 7(5), 476–493.CrossRef Luu, T. D., Leung, P., & Nash, S. G. (2009). Help-seeking attitudes among Vietnamese Americans: The impact of acculturation, cultural barriers and spiritual beliefs. Social Work in Mental Health, 7(5), 476–493.CrossRef
go back to reference Morrison, J. K., & Teta, D. C. (1980). Reducing students’ fear of mental illness by means of seminar-induced belief change. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 36(1), 275–276.PubMedCrossRef Morrison, J. K., & Teta, D. C. (1980). Reducing students’ fear of mental illness by means of seminar-induced belief change. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 36(1), 275–276.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Nguyen, A. N. (1992). Living between two cultures: Treating first-generation Asian American. In L. A. Vargas & J. D. Koss-Chioino (Eds.), Working with culture (pp. 204–222). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Nguyen, A. N. (1992). Living between two cultures: Treating first-generation Asian American. In L. A. Vargas & J. D. Koss-Chioino (Eds.), Working with culture (pp. 204–222). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
go back to reference Nguyen, B. H. (2008). Cultural and the Vietnamese American spirit vision. San Jose, CA: E-Print Solutions. Nguyen, B. H. (2008). Cultural and the Vietnamese American spirit vision. San Jose, CA: E-Print Solutions.
go back to reference Nguyen, Q. C., & Anderson, L. P. (2005). Vietnamese Americans’ attitudes toward seeking mental health services: Relation to cultural variables. Journal of Community Psychology, 33(2), 213–231.CrossRef Nguyen, Q. C., & Anderson, L. P. (2005). Vietnamese Americans’ attitudes toward seeking mental health services: Relation to cultural variables. Journal of Community Psychology, 33(2), 213–231.CrossRef
go back to reference Segal, U. (2000). Exploring child abuse among Vietnamese refugees. Journal of Multicultural Social Work, 8(3/4), 159–191.CrossRef Segal, U. (2000). Exploring child abuse among Vietnamese refugees. Journal of Multicultural Social Work, 8(3/4), 159–191.CrossRef
go back to reference Sorkin, D., Tan, A. L., Hays, R. D., Manione, C. M., & Ngo-Metzger, Q. (2008). Self-reported health status of Vietnamese and Non-Hispanic White older adults in California. The American Geriatrics Society, 56(8), 1543–1544.CrossRef Sorkin, D., Tan, A. L., Hays, R. D., Manione, C. M., & Ngo-Metzger, Q. (2008). Self-reported health status of Vietnamese and Non-Hispanic White older adults in California. The American Geriatrics Society, 56(8), 1543–1544.CrossRef
go back to reference Stuart, H. (2006). Mental illness and employment discrimination. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 19, 522–526.PubMedCrossRef Stuart, H. (2006). Mental illness and employment discrimination. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 19, 522–526.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Umemoto, D. (2004). Asian American mental health help seeking: An empirical test of several empirical test of several explanatory frameworks. Dissertation Abstracts International, 64B, 5806. Umemoto, D. (2004). Asian American mental health help seeking: An empirical test of several empirical test of several explanatory frameworks. Dissertation Abstracts International, 64B, 5806.
go back to reference Vogel, D., Gentile, D. A., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The influence of television on willingness to seek therapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64(3), 276–295.PubMedCrossRef Vogel, D., Gentile, D. A., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The influence of television on willingness to seek therapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64(3), 276–295.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Vogel, D. L., Wade, N. G., & Haake, S. (2006). Measuring the self-stigma associated with seeking psychological help. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53, 325–337.CrossRef Vogel, D. L., Wade, N. G., & Haake, S. (2006). Measuring the self-stigma associated with seeking psychological help. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53, 325–337.CrossRef
go back to reference Wong, Y. J., Kim, S., & Tran, K. (2010). Asian Americans’ adherence to Asian values, attributions about depression, and coping strategies. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 16(1), 1–8.PubMedCrossRef Wong, Y. J., Kim, S., & Tran, K. (2010). Asian Americans’ adherence to Asian values, attributions about depression, and coping strategies. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 16(1), 1–8.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Exploring the Role of Ethnic Media and the Community Readiness to Combat Stigma Attached to Mental Illness Among Vietnamese Immigrants: The Pilot Project Tam An (Inner Peace in Vietnamese)
Authors
Meekyung Han
Lien Cao
Karen Anton
Publication date
01-01-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-014-9745-4

Other articles of this Issue 1/2015

Community Mental Health Journal 1/2015 Go to the issue