Multiculturalism is an integral component in Canadian society. However, cultural diversity brings with it challenges in meeting the health care needs of different ethno-cultural groups. Chinese patients tend to deal with psychiatric illness initially through family supports and alternative naturopathic modalities. Patients of Chinese origin are one of the three highest populated ethnic patient groups treated at University Health Network (Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital), including in the area of mental health.

Hear a panel of experts and people who have lived with these experiences as they discuss different perspectives on areas of mental health awareness within Toronto’s Asian community.

Moderator:

William Ju,

Associate Professor, Human Biology, Teaching Stream, UofT
Panelists include:

• Kenneth Fung, MD FRCPC MSc:Clinical Director, Asian Initiative in Mental Health at Toronto Western Hospital & Associate Professor, Equity, Gender, and Populations Division, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
• Sonia Yoon: board member of Hong Fook Mental Health Foundation, committee member of Hong Fook Mental Health Association. She has a teaching background, and would like to share the experience of her previous students and their parents from an educator’s perspective.
• Emillie Nguyen: Mental Health Worker with Hong Fook Mental Health Association, Prevention and Promotion Program. She’s the second-generation immigrant from a Vietnamese refugee family and also works closely with immigrant youth including second/third generation youth, newcomer youth, and international students in East Asian, especially Vietnamese, community. She also sits on the planning committee of the MindFest.
• Larissa Ho: Author of the self-published Becoming Silver Girl, a series of short stories about her struggle with mental illness