For over a decade, Ann, a divorced mother of five, silently battled schizophrenia without her children’s knowledge. It wasn’t until the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that Ann’s daughter, Linda, learned of her mother’s mental health struggles, which had remained hidden throughout their strained relationship.
After a hospitalization, Ann was discharged and referred to Hong Fook Mental Health Association, a vital resource for mental health support for Asian Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area. It was during this time that Linda, who had rarely seen her mother since the divorce, began checking in regularly, offering emotional support, and urging Ann to accept treatment. Today, Ann, with the help of a case manager at Hong Fook, is better managing her symptoms and participating in recovery programs.
This story is a stark illustration of a broader challenge faced by many Asian Canadians: the stigma surrounding mental health issues. In many Asian cultures, mental illness is often seen as taboo, making it difficult for individuals to seek help and discuss their struggles openly. As Andrew Chung, executive director of Hong Fook, explains, the tendency to internalize emotions and avoid confrontation can exacerbate mental health challenges, often leading to more severe symptoms by the time help is sought.
“Compared to other groups, Asian Canadian communities report poorer mental health and more severe symptoms by the time they seek emergency care or hospitalization,” says Chung. This delay in seeking help can be linked to cultural expectations of maintaining harmony, which often leaves mental health issues undiscussed and untreated until they reach a crisis point.
Hong Fook, which was founded in 1982 by two Chinese psychiatrists and a social worker, has worked tirelessly to bridge cultural gaps in mental health care. The organization recognizes the importance of addressing mental health in culturally relevant ways, such as incorporating wellness programs and leisure clubs into its recovery college to foster open dialogue about mental illness and reduce stigma.
With over 4,000 clients served annually at its Toronto and Markham locations, Hong Fook continues its mission to ensure that Asian Canadians facing mental health challenges are not left to struggle in silence. As the holiday season approaches, the organization is calling for increased community support, urging people to consider donating to Hong Fook to help expand its services and foster a culture of acceptance and open communication around mental health.
“We want to ensure that no one in our community faces mental health challenges alone,” says Chung. “During this giving season, we hope individuals will consider supporting Hong Fook to help us create a safe space for people to talk about mental health and support each other.”
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