I have worked in the field of Asian mental health for the past 8 years. The recent four years as a social worker and therapist, and the previous four years as a mental health outreach worker.
Mental health outreach meant I was somehow granted the authority to go into homes of Asian folks “needing but not using mental health services.” Homes that do not resemble at all what we have been convinced of as the image of a “first world country” called “Canada.” Pockets of intense poverty in one of the richest cities in the world, Toronto. My job at the time was to build trust with Asian folks, who repeatedly were battered by society’s reminders of having “failed,” to somehow trust the system that placed them in the unfairness in the first place, and get this “help.”
When we think of Asians in Canada, we think of wealth, qualifications and success. We think of discipline, excellence and amiability. We think of upward mobility. We think of a pleasant Asian version of the nuclear family.
I did not see that, and I still do not see that in my work as a social worker and therapist. I see Asian young people left out of these descriptions. I see Asian young people struggle with all that they know through hard work yet fall short to meet these descriptions. I see Asian young people feel ashamed, humiliated, embarrassed, guilty, lonely, hopeless and helpless from it.
What I also get to see in Asian young people is bravery to stand up against norms that do not work for them. The immense humility in the journey of Asian young people seeing themselves for the first time. The courage to try and do things differently. The power within that is revived.
I want and commit to being part of this revival. But this time, a revival that sees the purpose, the connection, the care, and the love that already exists not only among the Asian diaspora, but along with other racialized and Indigenous communities that have faced not the same but very similar affliction and isolation.
This is where I begin. Allow me to walk with you - as an individual, a fellow social worker or therapist, or those considering allyship.
Talks & Education
“Anti-Asian Racism: Beyond the Attacks” for the Ontario Association of Social Workers, November 2022
“Trauma-Informed Lawyering” for Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP, November 2022
“Professionalism as a Tool” for the Social Work Conference at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, September 2022
Bachelor of Social Work Course: “Social Justice Work with Groups, Communities, and Social Movements” at York University School of Social Work, Fall 2022 and 2021
“Anti-Asian Racism: Then and Now” for the Ontario Association of Social Workers, March 2022 and November 2021
“Reaction vs. Response: Interacting with Diverse Clients” for the Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic (CSALC), August 2020
“Critical Reflection from Chinese Canadian Perspectives” for the decolonizing conference at the University of Toronto, November 2018
Op-Eds
“Why are we so shocked by recent waves of anti-Asian violence?” with Kate Shao for the Toronto Star, March 2021; which is
Used with permission also in this book, November 2022“The racist history of Chinese labour in Canada shows not much has changed. Deemed essential, but sill invisible” with Vince Wong for the Toronto Star, September 2021
“Our elders, women are being attacked and killed. To #StopAsianHate, we must work together to dismantle white supremacy” with Kate Shao for the Toronto Star, April 2021
“Sinophobia wont save you from the coronavirus” with Edward Wong and Kate Shao for Al Jazeera, February 2020
Reports
2020 in Hindsight: Intergenerational Conversations on Anti-Asian Racism During the COVID-19 Pandemic, March 2023
Another Year: Anti-Asian Racism Across Canada Two Years in the COVID-19 Pandemic, March 2022
Our Lives Are Essential: Chinese Canadian Frontline Workers Report, September 2021
A Year of Racist Attacks: Anti-Asian Racism Across Canada One Year Into the COVID-19 Pandemic, March 2021
Advocacy
Some selected:
“Report finds rise in anti-Asian incidents in Canada” Interview for Global News, March 2021
“Living In Colour: The racialization of the coronavirus” Segment for Global News, February 2020
Alarming the rise of anti-Asian racism to the Standing Committee on Health at the House of Commons, February 2020
Awards
Beverly Antle Leadership Award (2021) - Ontario Association of Social Workers
Pivotal and dynamic leadership roles played by social workers in non-traditional leading-edge positions.“150 Years Young” (2017) - Apathy is Boring
Awarded as 1 of 12 millennials in Toronto for civic engagement.
My Training
Master of Social Work, University of Toronto 2019
Specialization: Social Justice and DiversityHonours Bachelor of Science, University of Toronto 2012
1st Major: Global Health, 2nd Major: SociologyDiploma of Social Service Work, George Brown College 2014
Certificate in Life Skills Coaching, George Brown College 2014