By Julia Veilleux | Research Assistant
As universities across the country transition back to pre-pandemic norms, a pressing mental health crisis weighs heavily on Southeast Asian students, one that remains largely overlooked by academic institutions and the broader mental health field.
Dr. Danielle Ung, a clinical psychologist and professor at Bastyr University, is leading a pioneering study that examines the compounded mental health toll experienced by Southeast Asian students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The project, both data-driven and deeply personal, explores the intersection of racism, cultural stigma, and systemic neglect that has long impacted these students and which the pandemic only worsened.
“This study focuses on Southeast Asians for several reasons,” said Dr. Ung. “First, this population has been largely ignored in academic research, particularly regarding racism and discrimination.
Second, many Southeast Asians were misidentified or grouped together as ‘Chinese,’ which intensified the continued detrimental impact of these microaggressions that they already faced.
Third, Southeast Asian nations, historically, have limited resources and less access to affordable healthcare, making these students more vulnerable to poor health outcomes.”
A Crisis Deepened by Hate and Isolation
The COVID-19 pandemic unleashed not only a global health emergency but also a surge in anti-Asian hate crimes and xenophobic rhetoric—factors that disproportionately affected Southeast Asian students, particularly those studying in the U.S. away from home and family. Many were wrongfully associated with the virus due to racist assumptions and political language, such as the use of the phrase “Chinese virus,” further marginalizing an already vulnerable population.
Dr. Ung’s research coordinator, Savannah Stidhams, recalled the urgency they felt when launching the study.
“Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, the APA (American Psychological Association) released a statement about the alarming rise in suicide rates among Southeast Asians,” she said.
Stidhams added that the heightened fear, isolation, and cultural displacement experienced by many international and first-generation Southeast Asian students led to serious mental health challenges—challenges that institutions were not adequately prepared to address.
Stigma, Silence, and Barriers to Care
Dr. Ung’s study examines both quantitative and qualitative data, capturing levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD while also highlighting the students’ lived experiences. The research reveals a consistent theme: while the need for mental health support is urgent, cultural stigma and a lack of culturally informed services prevent many from seeking help.
“Southeast Asian students often face systemic challenges—including mental health stigma, limited access to resources such as financial means for transportation and affordable care, and a lack of healthcare providers who share their cultural backgrounds,” said Dr. Ung. “This can make it incredibly difficult for students to access the help they need.”
Language barriers, unfamiliarity with Western mental health systems, and fear of being misunderstood all contribute to low engagement with available campus resources. Meanwhile, many mental health professionals are not trained in culturally responsive care that takes Southeast Asian experiences and values into account.
“In my culture, we believe that healing happens within communities,” Dr. Ung said. “It takes a village to make change, and I’m fortunate to have a strong support system that helps me process the emotional toll of this work.”
A Push for Institutional Change
But Dr. Ung’s team isn’t only identifying problems, they’re laying out solutions. The study aims to offer universities specific, actionable recommendations, from increasing culturally competent counseling services to building peer support networks and implementing stronger anti-discrimination policies on campuses.
“I hope that this research will spark meaningful conversations among academic and community allies,” said Dr. Ung. “More importantly, I hope it will lead to tangible changes in how universities support Southeast Asian students. My ultimate goal is to ensure that these students don’t feel invisible or unsupported in their academic environments.”
For Dr. Ung and the rest of the team, this work is a call to action for higher education institutions to step up and recognize the needs of Southeast Asian students, not just during times of crisis, but in their ongoing efforts to promote student wellness and equity.
“It’s not just about understanding the problem,” said Stidhams. “It’s about implementing solutions, whether that’s through better policies, reducing access barriers to care, or creating healing spaces for students. I want this study to be a wake-up call for institutions to do better.”
A Personal Mission
For Dr. Ung, the research is deeply rooted in her own experience. As a Southeast Asian woman who has encountered racism firsthand, she views this work not just as an academic pursuit, but as a personal responsibility.
“I’ve been on the receiving end of racism, and I understand how isolating it can be when you don’t have the resources or support to cope,” she said. “I want these students to know they are not alone, and I want universities to know they can do better.”
Even while carrying the emotional weight of this work, Dr. Ung maintains hope and finds strength in her community, and sometimes, a little comfort in the small joys of life.
“Taro, Ube, and Matcha Bubble Tea are my go-to!” she shared. “A little sweetness goes a long way, especially when doing heavy work like this.”
As the research continues, it aims to amplify the voices of a population too often left out of national conversations around mental health. For Dr. Ung and her team, it’s not just about identifying a crisis—it’s about building a path forward.
To learn more or connect with the research project email Seafocus@uw.edu visit or follow the team on Instagram at @CovidResearchStudy.
Registration is closed for Common Ground: Building Together conference and gala award banquet in San Francisco on January 24. A shoutout to our planning committee: Jane Chin, Frank Mah, Jeannie Young, Akemi Tamanaha, Nathan Soohoo, Mark Young, Dave Liu, and Yiming Fu.
We are published by the non-profit Asian American Media Inc and supported by our readers along with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AARP, The Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation, The Asian American Foundation & Koo and Patricia Yuen of the Yuen Foundation.
Find additional content on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram ,Tiktok, X, and YouTube. Please consider interning or joining our staff. Don’t miss a single headline. Subscribe for free.
