Hi @rav3n I know I'm way late on this, but I do wanna mention some things here regarding this topic as a daughter with first gen immigrants myself too!
What’s helped you deal with cultural stigmas when reaching out for support and/or talking about mental health?
Well ever since I've first had a counsellor in high school since I was 13, I've never thought about anything in relation to the cultural stigmas of my background surrounding seeking support, so I've never had any issues with seeking support. Although I've found out years later that my dad was 'worried' about me seeking support when I've mentioned to both my parents out loud at one point, then my dad quietly asked my mum why I'm seeing a counsellor and that I didn't need to see one... *eyeroll* but anyways, ever since i was in year 11 though (i was 17) that was when my mum started to accept the fact that i need to seek counselling for my mental health when I refuse to attend school one day and convinced her to give me a day off. Since then, she's been supportive of me for that, even though she isn't the greatest parent either in my opinion since her and I have our fair share of different cultural values and beliefs.
Share a quote/piece of advice/story that’s been impactful in your recovery journey.
Seeking for help does not make you look 'weak', no matter what culture you're raised in. It's a sign that you're strong enough to wanting to improve and better your life emotionally and mentally.
Another one I wanna share is that you don't need to always follow in everything that your parent (or any other loved one) tells you to do, because what you choose to do and that you KNOW feels right for you, is your choice. And its best that you follow your own gut instead of always following on what someone else tells you otherwise that would or may make you to hold back onto it otherwise.
what are some books/movies/tv shows/celebrity stories/any other type of CALD representation that's helped you feel seen or inspired?
It's hard to say because I haven't really been looking into those haha. But I would say the one and only book that really made me not feel alone especially regarding the asian traditional cultural values and beliefs that my parents still hold, would be Growing Up Asian in Australia. When I was in year 11, we had to read that novel as part of the English subject, and I love that novel so much!
