Navigating the Discussion of Mental Illness With Korean Americans.

Korean Americans have one of the highest rates of depression of the Asian subgroups in the United States, and they have culture-related factors that affect their mental health. It is important for health care providers to understand the cultural considerations of Korean Americans to better address their mental health. This review article delves into the pertinent cultural practices of Korean Americans for navigating discussions of mental health. We note the cultural views, language barriers, historical traumas, and immigration challenges of Korean Americans, and we consider the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision's discussion of Koreans. We also include a table of Korean mental health terms with cultural significance and a list of online resources tailored for Korean Americans. In addition, we discuss the unique experiences of North Korean refugees that affect their mental health. Overall, this review informs health care providers about cultural considerations for navigating discussions of mental health with Korean Americans.