Associate Professor Hyeouk Chris Hahm Discussed AWARE Study on VATV

On September 10, 2014, Boston University School of Social Work Associate Professor Hyeouk Chris Hahm, PhD, appeared on VATV: Vietnamese American Initiative for Development. Hahm discussed her new study titled Asian Women’s Action for Resilience and Empowerment (AWARE), which is part of the Asian-American Women’s Health Initiative Project. VATV is a bilingual television program connecting Vietnamese America Communities and the larger Boston community to create better understanding and friendships between the two.

As Hahm explained in her appearance, Asian-American women are highly achieved and highly successful. However, they are suffering from higher risks of depression and suicide. “We have a problem and we need to deal with the problem. We need to provide appropriate services specifically for Asian American Women.” Hahm told VATV host Mary Truong. “Unfortunately, there are no specific modules or sessions for them.”

The AWARE study is comprised of ten group therapy sessions as well as daily messages of encouragement. Hahm and her team face many challenges, including the stigma and shame surrounding mental health in Asian American populations. However, Hahm uses her patients’ positive experiences as motivation to continue. She recalls the emotional reaction she had to the following response created by an AWARE participant:

“Through AWARE, my eyes and heart are open. Through AWARE I can understand my parents better. Through AWARE I hope to become a happy person. Because of AWARE I know that I am not useless. Because of AWARE I know that I deserve love.”

In order to test the efficacy, feasibility, and safety, Hahm is going to test AWARE intervention using Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) with bigger sample size in 2015. Hahm hopes this study will positively impact mental health, substance abuse and sexual health problems faced by Asian American women. Her goal is to one day make it available nationally.

Hahm’s full VATV appearance may be viewed below. More information about Hahm’s AWARE program can be found online.