I was almost part of a silent epidemic. This is my story — and the story of too many others.
Suicide is the leading cause of death among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) youth. This statistic weighs heavily on my heart because it reflects a tragic reality: too many young people feel unseen, unheard, and unvalued. But this isn’t a story of loss. It’s a story of connection.
I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, just east of Los Angeles, in a community with more Asian Americans than in 42 states combined. Surrounded by the Asian diaspora, I often felt connected to my heritage. But beneath this, I also carried feelings of isolation and worthlessness. For years, I kept these struggles to myself, believing I was alone in my pain.
At the age of 13, I reached a breaking point. I felt like I didn’t belong, like I didn’t matter — so I tried to end it all. The cruelty of my bullies and the silence of those around me felt unbearable. It almost cost me everything. But in that darkness, I found a flicker of light. With the guidance of a mentor, I discovered the strength to embrace vulnerability and a deep love for myself that had always been there.
What I learned — and continue to learn — is that my pain wasn’t mine alone. Too many young people in our community are carrying that same burden, silenced by the stigma surrounding mental health. I knew I couldn’t stay silent any longer. I had to act. That’s why I co-founded Asian Girls Ignite (AGI), a Colorado nonprofit focused on empowering AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth through culturally responsive and social-emotional learning programs. We are here to rewrite the narrative — transforming silence into conversation and isolation into connection.
Challenging Stigma by Building Courage and Community
In our community, mental health struggles are often swept under the rug, hidden behind a veil of shame. “Saving face” becomes more important than confronting our emotions, and…
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