Chinese Mental Health Draws Attention, Communities Urge Courage to Seek Help

Last week in Flushing, a tragedy unfolded in a Chinese family where the son-in-law killed his mother-in-law and stabbed his younger brother-in-law. Relatives and acquaintances revealed that the incident stemmed from the defendant’s impending divorce with his wife, involving disputes over dowry and assets. The community believes that the cold relationship among the three individuals did not happen overnight, indicating that the underlying conflicts had been brewing for some time without effective resolution, ultimately leading to a fatal outcome. This incident of moral tragedy has once again drawn attention to mental health issues within the Chinese community.

On October 8, New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim, together with organizations like CAIPA Foundation and Healthfirst, held a press conference urging the Chinese community to seek help when faced with escalating conflicts and psychological distress instead of bottling up emotions until they explode, causing harm to themselves and others. Kim shared a personal low point in his life when he bravely sought psychological counseling and managed to overcome his psychological struggles.

He highlighted that incidents of domestic violence leading to tragedies within the community are not uncommon, indicating a prevalent issue of mental health concerns among Asians—whether it be anxiety, depression, or anger—yet these issues are often overlooked. Kim stated, “I have encountered at least five or six victims of domestic violence in the past few years, but there are still many others who have not sought help or shared their experiences.” He emphasized the importance of seeking timely assistance when faced with unresolved mental challenges, rather than keeping everything bottled up inside.

Kim shared his personal experience of enduring immense pressure over a period of three to three and a half years due to significant life changes such as workplace stress and the successive deaths of three close family members – his uncle, mother, and father. Before his father’s passing, Kim spent over a year as his primary caregiver, shuttling between Albany and New York City daily for hospital visits and medication pickups. Kim acknowledged his struggles and the need for help, leading him to participate in counseling for over a year. Seeking help from professionals such as grief counselors and mental health experts, Kim found clarity, faced his issues head-on, and significantly improved his mental and physical well-being.

Kim stressed the importance of sharing his personal journey to dispel the misconception that seeking psychological assistance is a sign of weakness or something to be ashamed of. He highlighted the available resources and efforts of professionals dedicated to providing assistance, encouraging individuals to proactively seek help.

Incidents of moral tragedies like those occurring within Chinese families are not isolated cases. For instance, on September 20, 2024, a 74-year-old Chinese woman in Queens killed her 76-year-old husband. Additionally, in 2018, a tenant named Lindsay Chun residing in a townhouse on 37th Avenue in Flushing murdered a Chinese couple living in the same unit.

On October 8, the LeXin Family and Children Care Center held a “Family Harmony and Community Safety Resources Expo” at the Flushing Library. The Executive Director, Dai Siq, emphasized that violent events resulting from escalated family conflicts can be prevented. She stated that when conflicts show signs of escalation, violence tendencies like throwing objects, abuse, or threats of harm should be consciously addressed by seeking help or applying for protective orders. Seeking assistance from LeXin may arrange temporary shelter in a safe house. In addition, she advised on acquiring self-protection skills and conflict de-escalation techniques when feeling threatened.

Dr. Liu Yuqing from the CAIPA Medical Association, Huang Xueli, the Executive Director of the CAIPA Foundation, and Chen Meiying, the manager of Healthfirst, emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues within the Chinese community. Ron Kim became the first elected official to allocate funds specifically for organizing mental health education and training programs for the Chinese community. The foundation will conduct a “Soul Station – Community Mental Health Resilience Training” in Flushing on October 14 and in Manhattan Chinatown on October 24, from 1 pm to 4 pm, with each session limited to 30 participants. Experts like Song Yizhen, an Asian Community Outreach and Training Officer from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, will conduct the training in Chinese. Interested individuals are encouraged to register promptly.

Training venues: October 14 (Tuesday) at 136-33 37th Ave., #2D, Flushing; October 24 (Friday) at 202 Canal St., Suite 500, Chinatown. For registration, send an SMS to 646-988-8668, for inquiries call 917-916-6311, or visit the website: https://tinyurl.com/4adseckf