Asian Australian Mental Health: Asami Koike (Founder of Shapes and Sounds)
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Asami is the founder of Shapes and Sounds), the leading voice for Asian-Australian mental health and wellbeing, seeking to normalise conversations about mental health in the community.  

As a registered music therapist, she noticed that many Asian-Australians were falling between the gaps in the Australian mental health system and so she started Shapes & Shapes in 2019 to normalise conversations around racism & cultural expectations in the community and also provide specific resources (like a list of Asian Australian mental health practitioners for those seeking someone who can understand their own cultural background and upbringing).  

Shapes and Sounds Links & Resources:

• Shapes and Sounds Website)

• Asian Australian Mental Health Practitioner List)

• Talking Mental Health with Your Family)

• How to Claim your Medicare Rebate for Psychological Services)

• Being Asian Australian)

Timestamps & Topics: 

• 2:10 - Asami’s introduction, moving from Japan to Australia, realising the lack of cultural understanding in the mental health industry 

• 6:55 - What is Shapes & Sounds and the resources available on their website? 

• 7:54 - Asami’s thoughts on mental health in Japan 

• 9:20 - Growing up as a Japanese Australian & thoughts on Japanese Culture 

• 11:05 - Defining mental illness & causes. Asian Australians suffering in silence 

• 14:00 - Why are Asian Australians less likely to seek help? Lack of cultural understanding in the Australian healthcare system, the impact of culture on mental health and why Asami created a list of Asian-Australian mental health practitioners. 

• 17:11 - When to reach out for help? The importance of seeking help regardless 

• 18:52 - Common barriers when trying to find help /  what’s holding people back from seeking help? 

• 20:18 - Women vs Men when seeking help 

• 21:30 - Specific issues related to Asian-Australian. Scarcity mindset + trauma. Is it generational? 

• 26:20 - Self-internalised racism 

• 28:50 - Impact of Asia-Australia relations (Japan & China). Media narrative. Opportunities for Asian-Diaspora communities 

• 33:00 - Impact of media, more positive Asian stories (rise of Kpop & Asian stories) 

• 39:00 - Gaslighting of Asian Australians 

• 42:40 - Following a non-traditional career path vs thoughts on taking a safe path and following your passions. What to do if you're not feeling better after seeking help.