Providing Mental Health Services to Southeast Asian Adolescent Girls: Integration of a Primary Prevention Paradigm and Group Counseling

Abstract

Few writers have discussed the specific mental health needs of Southeast Asian adolescent girls. We present an intervention for Southeast Asian adolescent girls using a primary prevention paradigm within a culturally relevant framework consisting of (a) alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention; (b) tutoring; (c) cultural heritage classes; and (d) group counseling. Group counseling served as a catalyst to discuss issues raised from the other components of the intervention and provided an opportunity for participants to discuss personal, social, and academic concerns. The four goals were to facilitate (a) growth regarding self-acceptance, (b) learning strategies to cope with issues related to cultural identity, (c) a sense of trust among fellow group members, and (d) the application of what is learned in the group to everyday situations. Three implications are discussed: providing training on cultural and gender issues for facilitators, understanding cultural identity interaction theory, and using bilingual group leaders.