First-generation immigrant shares mental health struggles with viral TikTok video

Thea Pham shared a raw and personal TikTok video about her mental health struggles being a first-generation immigrant. Lilia Luciano spoke with Pham about how she is rewriting her story.

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[CBD..]

This is very relevant to the Asian American community. Sometimes we need to be vulnerable and open with our families even if it is difficult. Thank you Thea for sharing your story!

[willbanks]

The sad part is that there’s a bunch of people like her who watch this and probably laugh or dismiss her issue because they think that this way of living is right. Culture is important but if you move to this country and have a child, try compromise, which will help them live a normal life and not give them anxiety. A lot of cultures do this. It’s crippling to someone like me.

[EnronnSierra]

I have family who believe because I live in America, I can pickup brand iPhones off the streets and send it to them, send every month without even knowing my own struggles to survive here.

[leijpyq]

wow these comments, you can definitely tell some of these people are old gremlins or simply do not know what it's like to have basic empathy and compassion.

[eviekins]

These comments are awful and you all clearly have no idea the struggles many of us asians go through. Many of us now grow up emotionally stunted, go through physical and emotional abuse, experience trauma still as adults and we serve only as our parents trophy. The newest generation is finally speaking up and breaking these expectations is exactly what we need.

[reza.]

I see a good number of comments with no form of empathy towards another’s mental health. The lady in this video was not spoon fed her success. She worked hard to get to where she is at even with the lack of emotional support from her family. Everyone’s experiences are different so trying to downplay her own struggles just because she became successful is pretty narrowminded if you ask me.

[charlesnorm]

As a first generation immigrant, this is 100% true. Another thing which isn’t talked much about is that immigrant parents think they are better than you, and look at you and your generation as weak. The boomers had problems but the struggles of millennials are a lot of different, and in many ways A LOT harder. It absolutely destroyed my brother.

[its_so_edna]

Wow. Some of these comments. Definitely can tell who has no clue about what it's like to be Asian.

[MyHeart]

And we should respect cultures who think “putting yourself out there” is not doable. I respect them more than the one trying to show case.

[thebookishkhmerican]

This is extremely relatable. Mental health isn’t talked about at all in Asian communities and it’s so difficult and challenging to navigate between two cultures plus try to find your own unique identity in the mix and then Asian families and the Asian community see you as Asian and assume you think in an Asian way and place expectations on you that isn’t yours to begin with.

[starr]

As Afghan American gone through HELL and SUFFERED and yet we still don't have a voice

[jaky]

I agree with this woman like if you were able to withstand their emotional abuse and did exactly what they asked you to do for your own survival b/c they wouldn’t help you during your downfall then she has every right to eat her own cake and not wanting to share what she earned for herself also as a result of not given much unconditional love from the very people that selfishly gave birth to her just so they could use her to do some of the things either they can’t do it for themselves to achieve b/c they are the elder and entitled….

[dajewel]

Wow thank you for this video. I legit feel
This

[yordanreye]

Thank you 🙏🏽 I’m a DACA recipient. I really understand. Blessings Mamá. I want to meet you. Please reach out.

[StarlahMutiny]

Shouldn't need a "special segment" to highlight the desperate need for mental health care in the US.

[RoseTorn]

Having to be the translator child at the age of 5 or 6 smh. The cause of parentification smh.

[DwnRace]

Yikes. Reminds me of my friend in our 20s always talking about mental health, complaining about her parents, doing what she wants, empowerment and now the same person is in her 40s single, childless, and still complaining about her life….

[gvi]

TikTok is making money from her exposing herself..

[dumpsterchild]

Of course it is a common practice Asians they want their children doing better than they were doing and they got you even better next Generation we believe in that's how they believe things are like you got to do 100% better and better every time.. truth not living all

[rodochrous]

There should be a mental health test at the border