Increasing the Mental Health Literacy of Chinese Americans

Abstract

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article LettersFull AccessIncreasing the Mental Health Literacy of Chinese AmericansBenjamin K. P. Woo, M.D.Benjamin K. P. WooSearch for more papers by this author, M.D.Published Online:1 Feb 2013https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.002942012AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail To the Editor: Chinese Americans represent one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the United States. In Chinese culture interdependence is highly valued, and patients with schizophrenia have reported experiencing discrimination from family members, friends, and colleagues as a result of their stigmatizing beliefs (1). When Chinese-American immigrants are prescribed psychotropic medications, most stop taking the medications prematurely, which leads to poor outcomes (2). Furthermore, studies have shown that about half of Chinese Americans (46%) do not speak English at home and may have limited access to health information from mainstream media (3). A previous study in China supported the utility of including health content in Chinese newspapers (4). Targeting Chinese-American immigrants by using Chinese-language mass media may help increase mental health literacy.To address this issue, I partnered with World Journal, a daily Chinese-language newspaper that has more Chinese-American readers (350,000 daily) than any other such newspaper. In 2010–2011, I wrote four articles for the newspaper to raise awareness and provide an accurate description of psychosis for Chinese-American immigrants. Because I was unable to determine the number of readers of the print articles, I ascertained the number who used the direct link to each online article (count obtained on June 22, 2012) as a proxy measurement of the usefulness of this method of promoting psychosis literacy.In the September 19, 2010, article, “Prevention Begins With Recognition of Psychosis,” I described the case of a man who visited an emergency room with new-onset psychosis. I also discussed how psychiatric symptoms may disguise the presence of a general medical disorder. This article was viewed 129 times.In the October 17, 2010, article, “Substance-Induced Psychosis,” I first presented information on California Proposition 19 regarding medical marijuana and then described a case of substance-induced psychosis that resolved rapidly. Finally, I presented data on emergency department visits for drug-related issues. This article was viewed 2,743 times, with seven reader comments to the editor.In the July 31, 2011, article, “A Musician Who Developed Schizophrenia,” I wrote about the movie The Soloist. Because the protagonist has schizophrenia, I used the movie to describe signs of psychosis. The article was viewed 243 times.In the August 14, 2011, article, “The Tragedy of Homelessness in Schizophrenia,” I reiterated that people with schizophrenia are not violent, and I encouraged readers that even if their loved one receives a diagnosis of schizophrenia, there is always hope. The article was viewed 448 times.The four articles had a total of 3,563 views, although use of online views only may not reflect actual readership. The October 17, 2010, article accounted for 77% of the total views and was the only article with reader comments. Beginning the article by focusing on a current event may have attracted readers, and use of a case example helped make psychotic illness real.Newspaper articles and other mass media can draw the public's attention to psychosis, a debilitating illness that affects all aspects of a person's life. Improving mental health literacy about psychosis can decrease stigma and discrimination for Chinese Americans with psychotic illnesses.Dr. Woo is affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry, Olive View–UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar, California.Acknowledgments and disclosuresThe author reports no competing interests.References1 Lee S, Lee MT, Chiu MY, et al.: Experience of social stigma by people with schizophrenia in Hong Kong. British Journal of Psychiatry 186:153–157, 2005Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar2 Woo BK, Lo TT: How often do Chinese Americans stay on treatment after transitioning from outpatient mental health to primary care setting? General Hospital Psychiatry 33:e5–e6, 2011Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar3 Asian American/Pacific Islander Profile. Washington, DC, US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, 2012. Available at minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=53. Accessed June 24, 2012Google Scholar4 Peng W, Tang L: Health content in Chinese newspapers. Journal of Health Communication 15:695–711, 2010Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar FiguresReferencesCited byDetailsCited ByHealth Equity, Vol. 3, No. 1Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Vol. 61, No. 10 Volume 64Issue 2 February 2013Pages 201-202 Metrics Acknowledgments and disclosuresThe author reports no competing interests.PDF download History Published online 1 February 2013 Published in print 1 February 2013