Recent studies have revealed a concerning increase in suicide rates among young Asian Americans, with Korean Americans ranking second highest among major Asian ethnic groups.

According to a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), suicide rates among Asian American youth aged 10 to 19 have risen significantly. For males, the rate increased by 72% from 3.76 per 100,000 in 1999 to 6.49 per 100,000 in 2021. The increase was even more dramatic for females, with a 125% rise from 1.65 per 100,000 in 1999 to 3.72 per 100,000 in 2021.

Another study analyzing suicide rates among Asian American youth from 2018 to 2021 provided a more detailed breakdown by ethnic group. The research focused on teenagers (15-19 years old) and young adults (20-24 years old) from the five largest Asian ethnic groups in the U.S.: Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Vietnamese, and Korean.

Key findings for Korean Americans:

• Teenagers (15-19): 8.44 per 100,000
• Young adults (20-24): 15.66 per 100,000

These rates were higher than those for Chinese, Filipino, and Indian Americans, placing Korean Americans second among the major Asian ethnic groups.

Vietnamese Americans showed the highest suicide rates:

• Teenagers: 10.57 per 100,000
• Young adults: 17.66 per 100,000

Dr. Anthony Bui, a professor at the University of Washington and lead author of the study, suggested several factors contributing to these high rates:

1. Lack of language support and cultural stigma surrounding mental health discussions, leading to reduced access to mental health services.
2. Increased anti-Asian sentiment and hate crimes, coupled with societal pressure to succeed.
3. A rise in gun ownership among Asian American households in response to anti-Asian hate, which can increase the risk of suicide and homicide.

Dr. Bui emphasized, “We are currently facing a youth mental health crisis. There is an urgent need for linguistically and culturally competent mental health resources across the board.”

The study highlights the pressing need for targeted interventions and culturally sensitive mental health support for young Asian Americans, particularly within the Korean American community.

[By Hyung-seok Han, The Korea Times LA]