Debo News.

Statistics from the CDC show that suicide is the first leading cause of death for Asian American young adults 15 to 24.

It accounts for one-third of all deaths in this age group.

Oh my god, that's so young.

I know!

And also, serious mental illness and suicidal behavior has doubled for them in the last decade.

Oh my god, no wonder I got so popular.

But we can't let this continue.

We gotta get the sweet little baby angels into therapy.

But how?

Asian Americans are the least likely racial group to seek and utilize mental health services, 60% less than white people.

Ugh, cultural damage.

Let me guess, it's our parents' fault.

It's our parents' fault.

There were several studies that looked into why young AAPI have the highest rate of suicide, and all studies say parenting.

This is why I'm not having children.

I don't want generational trauma, Dad.

I want generational wealth.

Uh, well actually, according to some research, Asian immigrants have lower rates of psychiatric disorders than American-born Asians.

Excuse me, what?

You're telling me that our parents are mentally healthier than we are?

I know, I was surprised too.

Trust me, I was really thrown by that study's findings.

I mean, they're traumatized, like for sure, but just not clinically ill, I guess.

Ew.

My dad doesn't have a psychiatric disorder?

My mom apparently is fine.

My dad.

My dad.

My father?

The man from which I came.

You're telling me he's not clinically insane?

Okay, Mom, sure.

I'm an Asian and a scientist.

It's your fault.

Okay, wow.

I don't know how I'm gonna move past this, but I'm gonna try.

So, like, why is suicide the leading cause of death for young Asians, but not for any other racial group?

I mean, like, no- Okay, so there were a lot of factors, but like, Indiana University psychology scholars discovered that school problems are twice likely to be a contributing factor compared to young white people.

Okay, again, I'm finding myself blaming my father.

Then there's all the pressure that comes from the expectation of success, you know, like the model minority myth.

So you're not allowed to fail, but when you succeed, nobody thinks you're worthy of celebration.

Fair minimum as an Asian is being the best.

Culturally, mental illnesses are dismissed or seen as not real, so seeking any kind of help is just seen as like a character flaw.

Okay, besties, so what I'm hearing is the best thing that we can do for the community is to raise awareness, work on destigmatization, trick young baby Asians into consuming mental health resources- Like with comedic YouTube videos.

Comedic is a stretch, but exactly.

And encourage people to go to therapy.

Yeah, I mean, that's really all we can do, right?

That's our plan to, like, help the youth.

We can raise awareness, we can offer resources, we can blame our parents- Backed by science.

Backed by science.

You hear that, Dad?

Do you hear that, Dad?

I hope you know, if you're a young baby Asian, it's not your fault.

It's your parents' fault.

Yeah, several, several studies have said you're not the problem, it's your parents.

So just know, like, they're crazy.

They don't have psychiatric disorders, but guess who does?

We do.

Why do we have it?

Why do we have it?

Take a gander.

Take a gander.

Dad.

Why do you think I have all this?

Who gave it to me?

I mean, I have it in here.

Who did it?

Genetically.

You know, your words.

He doesn't watch my videos.

Mom, I know you do.

You watch them all the time on Facebook.

Show this to Dad.

I'm Anna Akana, and thank you to Better Health for sponsoring today's video.

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Bye!