MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES EXPRESSED BY THE CANTONESE-CHINESE RADIO LISTENERS

Abstract

In order to disseminate mental health information to the Cantonese-speaking Chinese immigrants in the greater Houston area in the United States, the author initiated a local radio program to deliver 25 mental health topics to educate and stimulate the interests of the listeners. Once a week for 25 weeks, six shows were pre-recorded, and 19 shows were broadcasted live to receive phone-in calls from listeners. Among these weekly radio shows, 31 calls were received and answered. All female callers (n = 22) addressed parenting and emotional issues, while most male callers (n = 8; 89%) described being maltreated by their wife. The purpose of this qualitative practice update is to use content analysis data to inform practitioners about the unaddressed mental health needs of Chinese immigrants and make service planning suggestions based on "unheard voices".