Immediate and meaningful action through targeted research, culturally competent care, and community-based prevention strategies is necessary to support the mental health and well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youths, according to new commentary published in JAMA Network Open.1 Suicide has emerged as the leading cause of death in this population, a demographic that is rapidly growing in the United States.
Despite the urgency of addressing mental health in these communities, research and funding in this area have been historically inadequate. The authors referenced recent data by Keum et al., which shed light on this critical issue, revealing the alarming trends in suicide rates among AAPI youths aged 10 to 19 years.2
The pervasive model minority stereotype masks the legitimate struggles faced by this young population, serving as a barrier to recognition of its mental health needs by discouraging these individuals from seeking help.
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Alarming Increase in Suicide Rates
The investigation results were stark: from 1999 to 2021, suicide rates among AAPI youths have surged, according to national mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics. In 2021, the suicide rates were 6.49 per 100,000 for males and 3.72 per 100,000 for females. The increase over the 22-year period was significant, with male youth suicide rates rising by 72% and female rates by 125%. The cross-sectional analysis demonstrated the upward trend began in 2009 for males and 2004 for females, peaking in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Contributing Factors: Racism, Xenophobia, and the Model Minority Stereotype
The rise in suicide rates parallels an increase in anti-Asian hate and xenophobia, including hate incidents, verbal abuse, and cyberbullying, the authors noted.1 These forms of structural, institutional, and interpersonal racism are particularly harmful to youths. The pervasive “model minority” stereotype further exacerbates the…
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