ONE in FOUR children in the U.S. has at least one foreign-born parent. So for World Mental Health Day, I want to highlight the unique mental health struggles that immigrant children & bicultural folks, like me, can experience at the intersection of our two differing cultures >>

1. In one culture we may be taught that seeing a therapist and/or talking about our mental health struggles is selfish and shameful, and in our other culture, we are taught that caring for our mental health is a sign of courage and bravery.

2. In one culture we're taught that groupthink -- or maintaining the harmony of, making decisions as, & considering the betterment of a group/family/community -- is most important, and in our other culture we are often encouraged to nurture our individuality & our self-efficacy.

3. In one culture, we may be judged and evaluated on how well we are able to maintain the peace and do what’s expected/asked of us, and in our other culture we are being judged and evaluated on how well we take up space, speak up, and practice assertiveness.

4. In both cultures, we are told to be grateful. Grateful to be here. Grateful to have opportunity and resources. Grateful to have "made it." This ongoing expectation of gratitude in all parts of our lives can compound our imposter syndrome, and it feeds our negative self-talk.

5. In one culture we are taught to chase security & comfort, while in the other we are taught to chase passion & purpose (a privilege many before us didn’t have).

6. One of our cultures has commodified self-care while our other culture has commodified service & self-sacrifice.

7. In one culture, we have been taught that our worthiness is tied to productivity and how traditionally successful we are (and what we can show for it). In our other culture, we are encouraged to take risks, try new things, and celebrate our efforts -- no matter what happens.

8. In both cultures we are expected to be like "them" -- the “them” being different & us not being enough of either. This can feel like we don’t belong anywhere and/or we are left having to take stock of our identities to choose which parts of ourselves to leave behind or hide.

9. Bicultural individuals may grow up in families & communities that don’t prioritize (or understand) mental health. And often, we are also socialized in environments that aren't necessarily equipped with how to care for our mental health. Damned if we do. Damned if we don't.

Let’s normalize talking about our mental health struggles & all of the unique, difficult, beautiful, messy ways we exist as whole beings in our lives. After all, we challenge stigma by confronting stigma, and it's likely if you are not an immigrant child, you probably know one.