Tell us briefly about your work in mental health: Where do you work and why did you go into this work?

I’m a licensed psychologist and also a Professor of Clinical Psychology. I teach at Alliant International University or Cal Poly Pomona. I’m licensed to practice in the states of California and Hawaii. I offer services through telemedicine to accommodate patients who may need my language or cultural knowledge.

I originally wanted to become a child psychologist to help abused children to be better adjusted. I soon realized that there is a shortage of Taiwanese (and Mandarin) speaking mental health clinicians, which then indicated the need to widen my practice for other age ranges.

What are disparities associated with mental health among the Taiwanese American (and broader Asian American) community?

The current literature tends to aggregate data for Asian Americans, therefore hopefully there will be more studies examining the Taiwanese American experience in the future. Research indicates that Asian Americans experience the same mental health challenges as their Western counterparts (e.g., anxiety, depression, etc.), however they tend to present as being more severe upon seeking services. This may be due to a delay in accessing resources due to various cultural barriers, such as: stigma, lack of awareness of mental health services, linguistic barriers, etc. Additionally, Asian Americans also have the added challenges of immigration stressors. For example, adjustment disorders or bi-cultural conflicts may arise in immigrant households.

What are the most common stigmas associated with mental health among the Taiwanese American (and broader Asian American) community?

Perhaps one of the biggest cultural barriers towards accessing services is stigma. The Taiwanese culture is based on Confucian and Taoist beliefs, both of which emphasize concepts such as saving face and harmony. According to those with more traditional values, mental illness may not only disrupt the household’s ability to live in harmony, but may also lead to a loss of face. This may serve as a hindrance towards receiving services as soon as symptoms arise.

What are some ways we as a community or as individuals can combat these disparities and stigmas?

Having an awareness that 1 out of 4 individuals experiences a mental health condition may help to combat stigma that prevents people from accessing services as soon as possible, which leads to better outcomes. Being able to receive culturally responsive care also helps. Encouraging those we notice struggling can offer supportive messages that seeking services is acceptable and normative. Hopefully Taiwanese Americans can consider psychology as a potential profession for their own future. Given the current workforce shortage and forecasted emerging needs, our community needs more culturally sensitive clinicians, researchers and educators.

What are some resources you’d recommended for someone (or a friend/family member) looking for help?

Below are resources that have been helpful for clients and their family members:

Brief Bio: Dr. Michi Fu is a Taiwanese American psychologist and Professor. She is conversationally fluent in Taiwanese and Mandarin. She publishes and presents on various topics, such as gender issues, cross-cultural mental health, trauma, play therapy, sex positivity, wellness, and positive psychology. She enjoys making psychology a household word by giving talks and workshops to various organizations, including: TACL, TAP, MTA (Miss Taiwanese America), NATWA, and TEDx (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQYZkipErYM). She enjoys Taiwanese cuisine and has even named the improv troupe she founded “Stinky Tofu.”