The video addresses the silent struggle of emotional vulnerability among children of immigrant parents, highlighting the difficulties they face due to cultural expectations and stigmas. It tells the story of a young woman navigating mental health issues within the constraints of her Persian cultural background, emphasizing how these cultural norms discourage open discussions about mental health. These children often feel pressure to excel and fulfill family expectations without acknowledging their own emotional challenges.

Examples are provided to illustrate these challenges, such as the desire to "save face," immigrant guilt, and the burden of familial responsibilities from a young age. These factors can prevent them from seeking mental health resources or expressing their struggles openly. The speaker shares personal experiences and insights into why children of immigrants face higher rates of psychiatric disorders and lower access to mental health services compared to their native counterparts.

Main takeaways from the video:

Please remember to turn on the CC button to view the subtitles.

Key Vocabularies and Common Phrases:

1. constipated [ˈkɒnstɪˌpeɪtɪd] - (adjective) - Having difficulty in emptying the bowels, usually associated with hardened feces. - Synonyms: (blocked, obstructed, clogged)

If any of us were competing for the title of who looks the most constipated, my best friend Haley would win.

2. vulnerable [ˈvʌlnərəbl] - (adjective) - Susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm. - Synonyms: (exposed, sensitive, defenseless)

This is a common example of how suppressing our feelings and refusing to be emotionally vulnerable can lead us to our breaking point.

3. agony [ˈæɡəni] - (noun) - Extreme physical or mental suffering. - Synonyms: (pain, torture, anguish)

A particular group of people that are significantly less likely to be vulnerable because they're taught to silently suffer and cope alone with intense mental agony.

4. taboo [təˈbuː] - (noun) - A social or cultural prohibition or ban on certain actions or discussions considered improper or unacceptable. - Synonyms: (prohibition, restriction, interdiction)

I'm Persian, and in my culture, discussions around mental health are taboo.

5. excel [ɪkˈsɛl] - (verb) - To be exceptionally good at or proficient in an activity or subject. - Synonyms: (shine, surpass, stand out)

Because of my growing need to excel academically, the older I got, the more dramatic this rollercoaster between depression and anxiety became.

6. scrutinized [ˈskruːtɪnaɪzd] - (verb) - Examined or inspected closely and thoroughly. - Synonyms: (examined, inspected, analyzed)

I couldn't live, but at least I could survive without fearing being scrutinized for my mental instability.

7. scrutiny [ˈskruːtni] - (noun) - Critical observation or examination. - Synonyms: (examination, inspection, investigation)

Originating in Chinese culture. This refers to how we hide our agony so all people can see is our perfection.

8. catalyst [ˈkætəlɪst] - (noun) - A person or thing that precipitates an event or change. - Synonyms: (spark, trigger, stimulus)

Because the strategies I'm talking about is not a replacement for professional treatment, but rather a catalyst for improvement.

9. competent [ˈkɒmpɪtənt] - (adjective) - Having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully. - Synonyms: (capable, proficient, qualified)

They state the importance of being culturally competent.

Children of immigrants struggle with mental health—here's why - Aryana Altaha - TEDxFolsom

A few months ago, we were hanging out, and she looked panicked. Her eyes were scrunched up, legs were shaking, palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. And at this point, I'm freaking out because, did I do something wrong? Then I made the biggest mistake ever. I asked her, are you okay? Immediately, all floodgates opened, and she broke down sobbing. At first, I didn't know what to do because, girl, we're in a Dairy Queen right now. Then I just sat there, let her cry, hugged her, listened to her open up about how she felt, and then obviously bought her ice cream afterwards.

Raise your hand if this has ever happened to you or you're about to cry and you're really good at holding it in until someone asks, are you okay? Mm. This is a common example of how suppressing our feelings and refusing to be emotionally vulnerable can lead us to our breaking point. But what if I told you there's a particular group of people that are significantly less likely to be vulnerable because they're taught to silently suffer and cope alone with intense mental agony? These are children of immigrant parents. Here's my story with this overlooked issue.

Since I was 2, I had symptoms of anxiety, and at 12, was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and depression. Because of my growing need to excel academically, the older I got, the more dramatic this rollercoaster between depression and anxiety became. I'm Persian, and in my culture, discussions around mental health are taboo. It was essential to have a perfect familial reputation so others didn't look down on us or think, there's inherently something wrong with my existence, so any emotion I felt. Squashed, gone. I thought it would be easier for me to feel nothing than everything all at once. I couldn't live, but at least I could survive without fearing being scrutinized for my mental instability.

Unfortunately, though, I wasn't the best actor, because my mom, who in my defense is a child adolescent psychiatrist, said, ariana, you're really not that good of an actor. If you don't try to get better, your mental health will only get worse and be harder to treat. If I continued ignoring how I felt, it would only get worse. Hearing that terrified me. So I began writing poetry. Since writing has always been a natural outlet for me, gradually I became more comfortable with recognizing and analyzing my pain. Then I graduated to actually talking to people, got a therapist, and started a social media account where I share my journey with mental illness.

A year later, I did the scariest thing I'd ever done. I compiled all the poems I wrote when I struggled the most, wrote new ones about improving, and published them into a book to show that our fears of being vulnerable as children of immigrants can be a tool of power rather than a weapon of destruction. I mention this because I understand the struggles millions of people in my position face. But I was lucky. I have a mom who's a psychiatrist and a platform where thousands of people support my vulnerability. Most of us don't. Entrenched toxic mindsets and lack of resources have lethal implications, which is why I'm speaking to you about this.

So here are some of many reasons as to why children of immigrants fail to exercise emotional vulnerability, a vital tool for mental health improvement. First is the idea of saving face. Originating in Chinese culture. This refers to how we hide our agony so all people can see is our perfection. For example, avoiding therapy to convince yourself and others you aren't struggling with your mental health. Second is immigrant guilt, the need to be successful so our parents sacrifices of immigrating aren't futile. This can cause emotional distress if those high expectations aren't consistently met. And finally, having a greater sense of responsibility over our families at an earlier age, for example, oftentimes having additional roles to fill on top of being a kid, such as translating important document bills, et cetera.

These factors create such noxious environments where we continuously suppress the strife we face, praying it'll get better. Maybe that's why the National Library of Medicine states in one of their studies that second generation immigrant children had higher rates of psychiatric disorders than their native counterparts. Or that the Agency for Healthcare Research and quality states 48% of whites receive mental health services compared to 31% of blacks and Hispanics and 22% of Asians. Or that the CDC states suicide rates are 30% higher among young Asian American females than white females.

In 2013, it was estimated that 36 million people are second generation American immigrants, let alone the rest of the world. The only way we can begin healing millions of souls is by first recognizing and spreading awareness there is an issue rather than ignoring it because the subject matter is taboo, uncomfortable or disgraceful. The second step is to address there are barriers to children of immigrants access to mental health resources, for example oftentimes being unable to effectively communicate one's struggles in another language, especially in one where mental health terms don't even exist, or stigmatized into insults. Or that on average other races generate less income than white families, making it harder to afford mental health treatment.

Next what can children of immigrants do themselves? It's important to note that if you have serious mental health issues, you might need to also consider seeking qualified help. Because the strategies I'm talking about is not a replacement for professional treatment, but rather a catalyst for improvement. Here are two processes I use that I love to recommend. The first process has three steps, supported by PhD candidate Ara Statepazian and Dr. Cheeky Davis. Observe Validate Release first, observe your emotions without overanalyzing. How are you feeling? Sad? Anxious? Angry? Next, validate your emotions. Remind yourself it is okay to feel this way. Your behavior might not always be valid, but your feelings always are. And third, release. Write how you feel. Sing it. Become the next Taylor Swift. Talk to someone about it.

This process is especially effective for children of immigrants because it provides a simple framework they can work off of to safely practice that emotional vulnerability. But because it can be particularly difficult for them to find someone to talk to, here's your second process. Two steps Share Check Author Miles Olson described this process as first, share some of your authentic self, then check to see how they respond to your vulnerability. If they're empathetic, then you can open up more, Continuing to check how receptive they are. If they're not receptive, then opening up wouldn't be wise. And if you're unsure, you can try testing again without exposing yourself too much. And remember to take small steps. It might not be best to go from oh, my favorite color is pink to some days I just want to die. Oftentimes, opening up is a gradual process. Remember these five key steps Observe, Validate Release Share Check

Lastly, what can the rest of us do who aren't children of immigrants? Medical student Hannah Todd and legislative aide Eliza Martin state the importance of being culturally competent. Support or partner with institutions that are sensitive to the needs of immigrant communities, such as schools or religious organizations. Or, if you're a mental health professional, educate yourself on the unique circumstances children of immigrants face and help them know where and how to seek support. My mom told me that most of our patients who are children of immigrants often suppress or distract themselves as temporary reliefs for survival. But these are bandaids for bullet wounds. Being vulnerable involves recognizing your feelings, accepting your need for help, and consciously applying techniques to address the root cause of your pain. It's a fundamental mindset that millions of us need that extra guidance to unlock.

Now I'm giving you a key. So whether you're a child of an immigrant or not, consider these strategies to unlock your path from surviving to truly living or help someone unlock their own. Thank you.

EDUCATION, GLOBAL, MOTIVATION, MENTAL HEALTH, IMMIGRATION, CULTURAL TABOOS, TEDX TALKS