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Episodes Season 3

How High Achievers Can Mask Mental Health Issues (s3e07)

Michelle Yang was a very successful teenager on paper. Michelle was outgoing, earned excellent grades, and worked hard at her immigrant family’s small restaurant.  Her constant battle with depression, anxiety and insomnia was less obvious to the world. The stigma against mental health conditions, especially within her family, prevented her from accessing proper help for years.

Finally, while studying abroad during college, she suffered from a serious episode that led to her being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Michelle now wants to break that stigma and encourage others by sharing her own story of how a successful career, a happy family and a good life is more than possible.

From personal experience, she knows why Asian Americans are three times less likely than other people in this country to seek help for mental health. Now, she’s writing a book to advocate for mental health wellness.

Show Notes

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Stories

Getting help for depression and bipolar disorder

It took many years before I found the courage to get help for depression, because it was so hard to overcome the stigma and shame that I needed professional help. Turns out I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Having help from counseling, medication, and a community of faith has given me much healing and hope for a better life. Watch the video of this story from DJ Chuang.