Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI)

Share Your Story: Make a Difference

2010-07-28T14:02:00.002-05:00

"Falling Petals"

Falling Petals is a custom theatrical production being designed by Erasing the Distance to shed light on how mental illness and issues of suicide impact the Asian-American community. The event is being held in collaboration with the Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative on October 2, 2010.

Share your story with us. If you are an Asian-American/Indian-American woman or man who has been impacted by these issues, either personally or as a loved one, please contact us before August 21st to schedule a time to share your story. You can call 773.944.5062 x1 and ask for Brighid or email brighid@erasingthedistance.org.

Please forward this on to people you know who might be interested.

The show tells true stories but will be performed by professional actors. If your story is chosen for the production, we can use your name if you would prefer or are happy to use a pseudonym if that makes you more comfortable.

Thanks so much,
Brighid

Brighid O'Shaughnessy
Executive Artistic Director
Erasing the Distance
773.944.5062 X1
brighid@erasingthedistance.org

Check out our website at www.erasingthedistance.org.

Chicago Sun TImes Story on AASPI's Seminar on AA College Students' Perceptions of Suicide

2009-12-07T20:19:00.003-06:00

On Friday December 4, 2009 AASPI along with Loyola University and Mental Health America IL sponsored a presentation that discussed findings from a series of focus groups that were held with Asian American college students on perceptions of suicide.

Thanks to Mark Brown from the Chicago Sun Times on writing the story linked to this post.

"Shedding light on suicide just might save a life
Experts focus on prevention in Asian-American community"

"Nobody much likes to talk about suicide or think about suicide or, in my case, write about suicide.

By the very nature of the topic, it's kind of depressing.

But with Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis finally concluding officially Friday that School Board President Michael Scott took his own life, this seems like one last chance to get people to read about something we really need to understand better...."

Click on post title to go to full story.

Asian American Students' Perceptions on Suicide Dec 4th

2009-11-09T16:14:00.006-06:00

Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative & Loyola University
Invites you to:

Asian American College Students’ Perceptions on Suicide

WHAT:
A presentation on Asian American students' perceptions on suicide. An exploratory study was conducted with five focus groups, composed of Asian American college students, to explore perceptions on suicide within the Asian community. Hear the proposed risk factors and barriers to seeking out services for support. Collaborate with mental health professionals to highlight areas where we can connect with this population.

Objectives:
• Learn about risk factors and barriers to services.
• Find and share resources to help Asian communities.
• Learn about the Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI)
• CEU’s provided: 1.5 hrs

WHEN: Friday , December 4, 2009 from 2pm to 4p.m.
WHERE: Loyola University Chicago
Lake Shore Campus
Regis Hall Seminar Room
6340 N. Winthrop Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626

Paid parking is available in the main parking structure ($7) off Kenmore Ave.;
for a map, visit http://www.luc.edu/values/campus/vt_lakeshore.html.

Refreshments provided.

Sponsors
Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative
Mental Health America IL
Loyola University

RSVP to Jessy Wilt: jwilt@luc.edu

SAVE THE DATE: Suicide and Asian Americans; Sat. March 21, 2009

2009-02-21T13:07:00.004-06:00

The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) invites you to

Suicide and Asian Americans:

Perceptions, Realities, and Community Response

WHO should attend:

o College students and community members
o Social service , mental health, and health care providers
o Reporters (print, radio, television and internet media)

WHAT: An opportunity to:

+ Understand the challenge of addressing suicide in Asian American communities
+ Meet others interested in addressing suicide risk factors
+ Join AASPI’s coalition for suicide prevention

WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: UIC College of Nursing, 845 S. Damen Avenue, Chicago

PARKING: Some metered parking is available on Taylor.

Nearby paid parking garages are located at Paulina/Taylor or on Taylor/Wood. (~$8)

Paid parking is also available several blocks away at the Cook County Juvenile Court at Roosevelt/Ogden ($2).

Light refreshments will be provided.

Co-Sponsoring Organizations include:

Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE) * Asian American Institute * Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) Chicago Chapter * Asian Chronicle, USA * Asian Giving Circle * Asian Health Coalition of Illinois * Asian Human Services * Cambodian Association of Illinois * Chicago Commission on Human Relations’ Advisory Council on Asian Affairs * Chicago Foundation for Women's Asian American Leadership Council * Chinese American Service League * Chinese Mutual Aid Association * Cook County State’s Attorney’s Asian American Advisory Council * Hamdard Center* Illinois Secretary of State’s Asian American Advisory Council * Japanese American Service Committee * Korean American Community Services * Korean American Resource & Cultural Center * Korean American Women in Need (KAN-WIN) * Leadership Center for Asian Pacific Americans * Loyola University Chicago * Multicultural Youth Project * Northwestern University Asian/Asian American Student Affairs * South Asian Progressive Action Collective (SAPAC) * The University of Chicago Center for Race, Politics and Culture * The University of Chicago Office of Multicultural Affairs * UIC Asian American Resource & Cultural Center * UIC College of Nursing * Yehyang

This event is supported by the generous contributions of the family and friends of AASPI.

To RSVP or to join the planning committee, please contact AASPI: aaspichicgo@gmail.com

CALL TO SERVE

2009-02-07T14:46:00.001-06:00

CALL to SERVE
Open Board Positions

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SUICIDE IN ASIAN AMERICAN
COMMUNITIES?

WILL YOU ANSWER THE CALL TO SERVE AS A LEADER?

DO YOU HAVE THE DRIVE TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE?

The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) is
interviewing leaders to serve on our Board of Directors. A 501(c)(3)
organization, AASPI's mission is to reduce suicide in Asian American
communities in Illinois. We do our work through public education,
training, and sensitive community-based research.

Whom are we seeking? We are looking for individuals who are
concerned about Asian American suicide prevention, will commit
their time to AASPI, and will support the growth and development of
our programs.

What will you gain as a leader in AASPI? You will gain meaningful
leadership experiences that will help you grow professionally and
personally. You will build upon your skills and make connections to
the diverse Asian American communities.

Mentoring and professional networking is also part of the leadership
experience in AASPI. To be a great leader, you must learn by doing,
and by doing it well! AASPI has been transforming itself to serve the
Asian American community in the Chicagoland area. Our leadership
team today is strong and talented, and we work together to reduce
the stigma addressing suicide through education & dialogue.

Come and be a part of our leadership team to make a deeply
meaningful and impactful change in our community for the better.
We are looking for serious and real leaders who have passion and
enthusiasm for positive and lasting change.

Please send your resume and/or CV, along with a brief cover letter,
to aaspichicago@gmail.com by Monday, March 16, 2009. For more
information, please contact Jae Jin Pak, President, at
jaejin.pak@gmail.com .

The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) is a non-
profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to reduce suicide in
Asian American communities in Illinois by:
• Reducing the stigma addressing suicide through education &
dialogue;
• Identifying, developing & implementing culturally competent
models for suicide prevention, postvention, and intervention;
• Advocating for culturally competent services;
• Conducting and supporting respectful & sensitive community-
based research;
• Serving as a source of information and resources on Asian
American suicide; and
• Encouraging the acceptance of mental health as a part of
community heath, viewing depression and other mental illness as
health issues to be discussed with clinicians.

Board Roles and Responsibilities
Board Members meet monthly to discuss, strategize and implement
initiatives to achieve our mission. Board responsibilities include:
• Serving on one or more of the following committees:
Communications, Fundraising, and Programs;
• Providing input, guidance and advice on events and projects.
• Building networking relationships for AASPI to support our
mission.
• Supporting AASPI financially (at a level to be determined by
each individual member).

Desired Qualifications
• Works effectively with a broad-based peer group and can
represent AASPI externally.
• Has excellent strategic and interpersonal skills.
• Has a strong interest in serving the community.
• We welcome applicants with a wide variety of professional skills
and experience, including but not limited to event planning, fiscal
management, fundraising, mental health care services,
organizational development, research, and web design.

Please send your resume and/or CV, along with a brief cover letter,
to aaspichicago@gmail.com by Monday, March 16, 2009. For more
information, please contact Jae Jin Pak, President, at
jaejin.pak@gmail.com.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2008-12-23T13:03:00.002-06:00

Greetings,
All of us at Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) wish you HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Chick back next year for updates, news and events.

Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Clinician Referral Directory

2008-09-20T16:37:00.003-05:00

Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) and Asian Health Coalition of Illinois (AHCI)

2008 Illinois Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Clinician Referral Directory

About the Clinician Referral Directory

The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) and the Asian Health Coalition of Illinois (AHCI) developed this clinician referral directory as a resource for individuals, families, and service providers. This directory includes providers who currently provide direct mental health services to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) individuals in Illinois. Clinicians listed in this directory self-reported the services that they currently provide and the languages spoken in their offices. To view the directory, please click here. If you would like to be included in the next edition of this directory, please complete this form and email it to Dr. Usha Menon at umenon@uic.edu.

About AASPI and AHCI

The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) was created in 2004, in response to the suicides of six Illinois Asian Americans within one month. AASPI’s mission is to reduce suicide in Asian American communities in Illinois and our activities include education and training programs for community members and clinicians. For more information, please visit www.aaspi.blogspot.com.

The Asian Health Coalition of Illinois (AHCI) was created by community members and health care providers in December 1996, and received non-profit status in 1998. AHCI’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in Illinois through advocacy, technical assistance, education, and community-based research. For more information, please visit www.asianhealth.org.

A Family Suicide Risk in US Asians?

2008-08-28T15:03:00.004-05:00

For many Asian Americans, the family is a pivotal force. It may provide their main source of strength and support, but when things go wrong, it may also be their greatest torment.

Psychologists at the University of California, Davis, say that conflict within the family appears to affect Asian Americans more adversely than other negative factors, such as depression or poverty — to the point of increasing their risk of suicide. The new findings are based on a preliminary analysis of data collected from in-person interviews with more than 2,000 Asian Americans, aged 18 or older, as part of the federally funded 2003 National Latino and Asian American Study. The author of the new paper, whose data were presented Aug. 17 at the American Psychological Association meeting in Boston, seeks to highlight how profound the impact of the family may be for many Asian Americans — something that many mental-health professionals may not fully appreciate when dealing with an ethnic minority that is often reluctant to seek counseling.

"In general, Asian Americans are not likely to talk about their psychological problems," says Stanley Sue, a professor of psychology and Asian American studies at U.C. Davis. "Community practitioners notice that Asian Americans are less likely to self-disclose their personal problems." Studies suggest that Asian Americans are also less likely than other groups to use mental health services in cases where it may help, Sue says, preferring to rely on culturally acceptable traditions of discipline and family order.

"Because of the great emphasis on harmony and family integration in many Asian cultures, family conflict is an important factor to consider when studying suicidal behaviors among Asian Americans," says Sue. His analysis finds that 2.7% of the Asian Americans interviewed reported having attempted suicide at some point during their lives; the figure falls in line with the lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts in the general population: estimated to be anywhere from 1% to 4.6%. Overall, suicide accounts for less than 1% of deaths yearly in the U.S. — there were about 11 suicides per 100,000 people in 2005, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — and the suicide success rate among Asian Americans (as well as Latinos and African Americans) is actually slightly lower than that of white Americans.

The point is not that Asian Americans attempt suicide any more or less often than other ethnic groups. Rather, Sue's findings suggest there may be an important difference in the risk factors that lead to their attempts. By mining the data with his lead investigator Janice Cheng, a U.C. Davis psychology graduate student, Sue found that family conflict was a significant predictor of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among Asian Americans, independent of depression, low income or gender. The risk of suicide among Asian Americans with family problems was triple the risk of other Asian Americans, even factoring for depression.

Previous studies have shown, however, that certain sub-groups of the Asian American community have higher rates of suicide compared with the nation as a whole — in particular, older Chinese women and Asian American students. In the former case, the trigger may be the disruption of the family. "We can only speculate that it may be that a lot of these women are dedicated to family and they live long lives," says Sue. But, eventually, the children leave the house and "without that kind of extended family, [older women] may be more likely to commit suicide," Sue says.

Among students, meanwhile, the problem may have to do with family expectations. "Although we don't have good statistics [yet], we believe that many Asian American students are prone to feeling depressed over a lack of achievement," Sue says. Getting Bs instead of As on a report card may not seem like a great sin to most students, Sue says. But in a culture and family structure where sacrifice by an older generation for the advancement — and education — of its children is a deep-seated tenet, feelings of shame for "failing" can become unbearable, Sue says, noting that this pattern is most evident in families with immigrant parents and among foreign students sent to study at U.S. universities by their families.

Though so many Asian cultures hold family relationships in high regard, those problems that originate within the family can be the most difficult to solve, Sue says. Unable to turn to their families for help and reluctant to seek mental health care, troubled people often attempt to work problems out on their own, adding pressure to an already strained situation filled with feelings of shame or guilt. "Our study suggests that we need to more precisely determine the kinds of family conflicts that are associated with suicide risk among Asian Americans, and find means of preventing these family problems," Sue says.
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The above story appeared on the Time.com website. Click the post title to see original.

Webinar on GLBTQ Youth and Suicide Prevention featuring Brian Mustanski Sep 4

2008-08-26T08:35:00.002-05:00

Hi all,
My name I Edmond Yomtoob and I am the Illinois Chapter President of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We are hosting a webinar on GLBTQ youth and suicide prevention featuring Brian Mustanski at The University of Illinois at Chicago. It will be Thursday, 09/04/08 7:30-8:45 pm Central time. All you have to do is sign up, sit in front of your computer and learn. Registration is free. Just e-mail us at Illinois@AFSP.org

Please feel free to join us and pass this along. It is appropriate for people who work with youth, people who
work with gay youth, people who work in the LBGTQ community, people who people who work with grief (especially to suicide) and people who work on suicide prevention.

Students are welcome. Unfortunately, we can not offer CEU's

Because it is on the web, anyone around the world can join us. So send it to anyone who you think may be interested wherever they may be.

Help me make this a huge success. Thanks.

Edmond Yomtoob, Psy.D.
www.psychologistchicago.com
edmond.yomtoob@psychologistchicago.com
(773) 450-4434

SEEKING -----ASIAN AMERICAN MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS!

2008-08-26T08:09:00.001-05:00

Are you an Asian American mental health provider -- (psychiatrist, psychologist, master’s level counselor, social worker, or psychiatric nurse)? Do you serve Asian American clients?

The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) invites you to share your ideas, opinions, and knowledge about what needs to be done to PREVENT suicide in Asian Americans in a focus group discussion with other mental health providers.

What: A research study of Asian American Mental Health Providers perceptions and opinions on suicide prevention. The study is supported by a pilot grant from the Illinois Department of Health and Human Services.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Refreshments --- Will be served
• Parking --- Will be reimbursed by UIC
• Compensation --- A gift coupon of $25.00 as a token of gratitude

Where: TBD

When: Wednesday, September 3, 2008, 6:30 --- 8:30 p.m.
6:30 – 6:50 -- Refreshments and registration
7:00 – 8:30 -- Focus group discussion, we will start punctually!

When: Saturday, September 13, 2008, 9:30 --- 11:30 a.m.
9:30 – 9:50 -- Refreshments and registration
10:00– 11:30 --Focus group discussion, we will start punctually!

(Select one of the above groups to participate in)

For further information please contact Aruna Jha, Ph.D. at arunajha@uic.edu, or Joanna Su at joannasu@mac.com (773-307-7008). Thanks!

Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative at NOPCAS Conference

2008-01-10T06:48:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

You are cordially invited to the Seeking Light in the Darkness break-out sessions on February 8, 2008 at the National Organization for People of Color against Suicide (NOPCAS) 10th Anniversary Conference. The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) will facilitate these sessions as part of the NOPCAS conference to be held on February 7-9, 2008 at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport Hotel.

Seeking Light in the Darkness is an experiential workshop where Asian American/Asian suicide survivors and health care providers who work with Asian American/Asian communities can speak, listen, and support one another about depression, suicide, and suicide prevention.

For details, click on the title of this post or go to www.nopcas.org and click on the "register for 10th Annual Conference" button on the left side. We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Aruna Jha, AASPI Vice-President
Joanna Su, AASPI President
Eliza Noh, Professor at CSU-Fullerton

"Finding Iris Chang" Reading & Discussion

2008-01-02T14:34:00.000-06:00

Dear AASPI Friends,

AASPI is pleased to co-sponsor the event below which is organized by the Asian American Bar Association’s (AABA) Community Service Committee (please see attached flyer). Author Paula Kamen, who had known acclaimed author Iris Chang since college, writes about Chang’s background and events leading to her death by suicide at age 36 in 2004. Kamen’s book addresses the stigma of mental illness in the Asian American community, Chang's feelings of guilt over her son's autism, her veneer of perfection and the deterioration of her mental state.

Following the reading, AASPI will be facilitating an informal discussion at a nearby restaurant (details tbd). Please share this invitation with your friends and colleagues, and if you can join us, please rsvp to me at joanna@aaichicago.org.

Thanks so much,

Joanna

Finding Iris Chang

A Reading By Paula Kamen

January 17, 2008

6 P.M. Thursday

Barnes & Noble
1 East Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL

Sponsored by the Asian American Bar Association (AABA) Community Service Committee

Light refreshments served

The Community Service Committee of AABA presents a book reading by Paula Kamen. In this intimate and inquisitive biography, Kamen examines letters, diaries, archives, and personal correspondence to shed light on the enigmatic life and death of a brilliant Asian American woman in the prime of her career. As an Illinois native, Iris’ internal struggles resonate with Chicagoland’s Asian Americans.

For more information, contact Betty Jang, 630.207.8088
Cosponsors: Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative

AASPI Featured on WBEZ Chicago Public Radio (click here for story)

2007-12-12T07:38:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

Below is the link to the AASPI story that aired on NPR today.

Best regards,

Aruna

http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=16359

Social Services Town Hall Meeting Oct 30, 2007

2007-10-23T11:04:00.000-05:00

The City of Naperville and the Naperville Police Department
present

Social Services Town Hall Meeting

October 30, 2007
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The Naperville Municipal Center Council Chambers
400 S. Eagle Street

Participating Agencies: Naperville Police Department Social Service
Unit
Family Shelter Service
NCO Youth & Family Services
DuPage County Health Department
DuPage County Crisis & Access Unit
DuPage County Senior Services
Parivar International
Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative

Learn strategies and resources for a variety of family, social, mental
health, adolescent, and cultural stressors through an open forum from
local experts and providers in the social service field. Topics to be
included:

Suicide Prevention
Domestic Violence Awareness
Cultural Adjustment for Immigrant Populations
Victim Assistance
Crisis Intervention
Senior Services
Dealing with Adolescent Issues
Coping with Holiday Stress
General Mental Health concerns

Agencies will have informational brochures available.

All members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact Commander Ken Parcel at (630) 305-5485,
or visit our Web site at www.naperville.il.us/sstownhall.aspx.

Naperville Community Forum Oct 30

2007-10-16T07:40:00.000-05:00

Dear AASPI Friends:

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE:

Town Hall Meeting on Family Stress

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Naperville Police Department

Naperville, Illinois

AASPI is one of several agencies working with the Naperville Police Department to plan its first Town Hall Meeting/Seminar to address stress factors and the long-term effects of stress in families. Although the seminar is intended for all audiences, it is also an opportunity to spread AASPI’s grassroots efforts in the Western suburbs.

The purpose of the seminar is to make people aware of the local resources available to help families cope with stress, and to answer audience questions. AASPI will be one of 9 agencies featured at the seminar. Naperville has a large Asian American population, and we hope that this seminar will be the start of a sustained, collaborative effort at the community level to meet the needs of Asian American families in the Western suburbs.

Thanks so much,
For information contact aaspichicago@gmail.com

AASPI Letter to Daily Herald regarding Tiwari family

2007-08-21T10:38:00.000-05:00

Below is a letter to the editor of the Daily Herald which was submitted by AASPI in response to the stories published about the sad death of Ms Tiwari.

To The Daily Herald

Email: dpfencepost@dailyherald.com

August 18, 2007

Dear Editor,

We were deeply saddened by the death of Nimisha Tiwari and her children and extend our sympathies to the Tiwari family and Nimisha’s parents. When lives suddenly end as a result of suicide, there are many questions left unanswered. While we appreciate the need for media to report newsworthy stories, responsible reporting is important in these sensitive situations. Your articles from August 12 through August 17 provided many sensational details of the suicide and the circumstances surrounding the Tiwaris’marriage, which we find unsettling.

Mental health professionals have urged the media to practice responsible journalism in reporting suicides. The media can help by educating readers about the likely causes of suicide, its warning signs, and treatment resources. At the same time, psychologists have found that there is an increased risk of suicide contagion if incidents are glorified or sensationalized. Including details about the method of a suicide, signaling suicide in the headline, printing photos of a suicide victim, and engaging in repetitive reporting may encourage readers who are at risk to act on suicidal thoughts.

The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) is a growing coalition of consumers, health care providers, and researchers addressing suicide in Asian Americans. We urge The Daily Herald to focus on the facts and to stress that while there is no simple explanation for suicides, the mental health issues that underlie many suicides are treatable. Mistrust of mental health services, cultural stigma, and the lack of linguistically appropriate and culturally competent services prevent many Asian families from accessing mental health care when they need it, contributing further to the prevalence of these problems. As a community, we can best serve those whose mental well-being is impaired by empowering them to seek help and helping them access services that they deserve to have.

Sincerely,

Grace Chan, M.A., Former Associate Dean of Students, University of Chicago

Aruna Jha, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, UIC

Soo Na, M.S.W., Program Manager, Asian Health Coalition of Illinois

Joanna Su, M.S.W., Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative Board Member

Suresh Unni, LC.S.W., Ph.D. candidate, Loyola University of Chicago

On behalf of The Board of Directors, Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative

To reach AASPI, please contact Aruna Jha at arunajha@uic.edu or to aaspichicago@gmail.com