Anti-Asian Hate Taking Mental Toll On AAPI Community

Experts say deeply relating to the victims of anti-Asian violence is part of a collective trauma for many Asian Americans.

The toll of anti-Asian incidents during this pandemic goes beyond physical attacks. For many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders— or AAPIs — it could also lead to sleep troubles, depression and PTSD. That's because, psychologists we spoke to say, anti-Asian hate impacts not only the victims — it can also have mental health impacts on those indirectly exposed—through watching viral videos or doom scrolling online. "Racialized distrust or trauma can lead to very detrimental health complications. So in addition to disturbed sleep and eating, you can also develop bad habits that lead to things like hypertension and diabetes," says psychologist Michi Fu.  And one factor that makes the mental health impacts even more notable? Several studies of different AAPI groups suggest lower rates of seeking mental health treatment than other races.