NPR: Prof. Hahm, AAPI Mental Health Expert, Weighs in on Constance Wu’s Suicide Attempt
Following actress Constance Wu’s tweet about her suicide attempt, Prof. Hyeouk Chris Hahm spoke to NPR about the broader context of AAPI mental health and cultural pressures women face within the Asian American community. In addition, Wu discussed the causes of her suicide attempt: being outcast from her community after complaining about her job on Twitter. Prof. Hahm emphasized that immigrants from all backgrounds rely on reputation (i.e. belonging to a community) as a foundation for their mental health, and that Wu’s story illustrates the need for more in-depth conversations about mental health disparities.
Excerpt from “Constance Wu’s reveal speaks to the profound pressure Asian American women face” by Juliana Kim, originally published on NPR:
Asian American experts say while Wu’s confession may not appear profound to some, for others, it spoke volumes about the pressures typically felt by Asian American women.
‘Asian American women want to be their authentic selves but their image and behavior are prescribed by society and family expectations,’ says Hyeouk Chris Hahm, an associate dean of research at Boston University’s School of Social Work, who has extensively studied mental health disparities in the Asian American community.
While no two experiences are alike, Hahm points out that in spaces like the workplace, many Asian American women are stereotyped to be soft-spoken, respectful and followers rather than leaders. When they try to break out of that mold by speaking up for themselves, they can be met with pushback, Hahm added.
‘When Asian American women try to be autonomous, ambitious, self-fulfilling, it’s been historically perceived as threatening the social order and social norm,’ Hahm said.
Recently, Twitter users have pointed out that double standard after comparing Wu’s backlash to actors such as Robert Pattinson, who received a more positive reception after bad-mouthing his breakout film, Twilight.”