Why do we not want to discuss depression?
Yale student Luchang Wang’s suicide was a shock and a head-shaker. (See Jenn Fang’s insightful article on page 1). There were signs before the suicide, but then also preliminary assumptions would point to “no problem.”
Is this often associated and perhaps regimented with Asian Americans? There is never a “problem”?
It is interesting to note the American Psychological Association statistics on their website:
First: Asian American college students had a higher rate of suicidal thoughts than White college students but there is no national data about their rate of suicide deaths.
And then there are these points:
Suicide was the 8th leading cause of death for Asian Americans, whereas it was the 11th leading cause of death for all racial groups combined.
Suicide was the second leading cause of death for Asian Americans aged 15-34, which is consistent with the national data (the second leading cause for 15-24 year-olds and the third leading cause for 25-34 year-olds).
Among all Asian Americans, those aged 20-24 had the highest suicide rate (12.44 per 100,000).
Among females from all racial backgrounds between the ages of 65 and 84, Asian Americans had the highest suicide rate.
Asian Americans college students were more likely than White American students to have had suicidal thoughts and to attempt suicide.
Why are there these distressing numbers when it comes to suicide rates? Is it pressure? Burden?
We should be allowed to acknowledge our insecurities, or at the least, not be afraid to address our issues.
There is no benefit in repressing what we need to say.
Luchang Wang committed suicide, and in that manner, she unfortunately said what she had to say.
We should all have our voices before that ever happens. (end)