Award Lecture-Kun-Po Soo Award (H, P) : Butterfly Kaleidoscope: Reflections on Asian Mental Health-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The presentation by Dr. Kenneth Fung at the APA annual meeting, introduced by Dr. Francis Liu, focused on the complexities of Asian cultural identity and its significance in psychiatry. Established in 1987, the Kung Po Hsu Award recognizes contributions to understanding Asian cultural heritage's impact on psychiatry. Dr. Fung, a prominent figure in cultural psychiatry, shared his personal journey from Hong Kong to Canada, detailing the cultural shifts he experienced and their influence on his career.<br /><br />He emphasized the importance of understanding cultural identity and its implications for mental health, highlighting the need for cultural competence within psychiatric care. Fung discussed the challenges of integrating cultural identity into healthcare systems and the often invisible pressures faced by immigrants, particularly Asians. He noted the enduring model minority myth, which perpetuates stereotypes and impacts mental health awareness and treatment.<br /><br />Fung also shared insights into the development of culturally sensitive mental health programs and interventions, including his work with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which he linked to Asian philosophies like Buddhism. He argued for recognizing these cultural influences within Western therapeutic models, sparking debate on cultural appropriation and misappropriation in psychiatry.<br /><br />Throughout his lecture, Dr. Fung advocated for broader acknowledgment of cultural diversity in mental health practice and policy, ensuring that cultural identity is considered an integral part of understanding and treating mental health issues across diverse populations. His concluding metaphor of a kaleidoscope highlighted the beauty and complexity of cultural identity, urging the audience to embrace and appreciate these multifaceted perspectives.

Keywords

Asian cultural identity

psychiatry

Kung Po Hsu Award

cultural competence

mental health

immigrants

model minority myth

culturally sensitive programs

acceptance and commitment therapy

Buddhism

cultural diversity

cultural appropriation

kaleidoscope metaphor