Dr. Helen Hsu

Let's Move! initiative

I trudged out of the office at 6:15 today and dragged myself, as well as my tired spouse, to our local Crossfit Gym: Crossfit One World

By 8pm - we were bouncing out of there with new energy. Will we be sore tomorrow from the work out featuring kettlebell swings, box jumps, and sprint runs? Yes. But our heads, hearts, and bodies are stronger, leaner, healthier.  No matter how many hours we work - we still prioritize exercise because health is an essential lifestyle factor that impacts every aspect of daily function.  We notice the payoff in terms of improved mood, good sleep quality, strength and endurance gains - and in the worry-free results of every blood pressure and cholesterol test.

We would rather make time to exercise now than have to make time for illness later.  I once read an article about Condaleeza Rice, who would wake at 5 am in order to exercise before starting her busy workday as Secretary of State.  Heck, if Condi Rice can find the time to work out - those of us with relatively normal jobs have no excuse!

I am grateful that I grew up in a household where the importance of caring for one's physical health was taught since I was a child.  Dessert was usually fresh fruit, and playtime consisted of running like fiends in Golden Gate park, or going to the swimming pool.  Excessively sugary or artificially colored foods and sodas were banned in our house (except for the occasional holiday party).  We were not allowed much TV time, and my parents to this day (pushing 70) create time in their lives for exercise.  I am proud of my parents for practicing Kung Fu (Dad) and dancing Zumba (Mom) with more zeal than most people half their age. 

It is easier for someone who has been taught these lessons to integrate such practices into daily life.  Yet everyone can learn new routines that will  help them feel great.  I applaud Mrs. Obama for her efforts to support families in establishing early childhood norms for lifelong health!

 

The First Lady’s Let’s Move! Child Care Initiative recognizes exceptional efforts to promote healthy lifestyles

On May 9, 2012, the First Lady’s Let’s Move! Child Care (LMCC) initiative will recognize states, communities, early childhood programs and networks for exceptional work promoting and implementing the goals of the nationwide call-to-action.

Let’s Move! Child Care focuses on five goals in early education and child care programs:

• Physical activity: Provide 1-2 hours of physical activity throughout the day, including outside play when possible.
• Screen time: No screen time for children under two years old.  For children age two and older, strive to limit screen time to no more than 30 minutes per week during child care, and work with parents and caregivers to ensure children have no more than 1-2 hours of quality screen time per day, the amount recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Food: Serve fruits or vegetables at every meal; eat meals family-style when possible, and no fried foods.
• Beverages: Provide access to water during meals and throughout the day, and do not serve sugary drinks.  For children age two and older, serve low-fat percent or non-fat milk, and no more than one 4-6 ounce serving of 100 percent juice per day.
• Infant feeding:  For mothers who want to continue breastfeeding, provide their milk to their infants and welcome them to breastfeed during the child care day; and support all new parents in their decisions about infant feeding.

“Child care providers play a critical role in the health and safety of our children,” said Linda Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Inter-departmental Liaison for Early Childhood Development. “The First Lady’s Let’s Move! Child Care initiative and child care providers are working to make sure all of our children have the opportunity to develop healthy living habits that can last a lifetime.” 

3rd National Psychotherapy With Men Conference

So I got this announcement the other day:

"The 3rd National Psychotherapy With Men Conference is taking place on June 9th, 2012 at Fordham University in New York City, NY.      

We expect the available registrations to fill up quickly. So, we would like to offer you the opportunity to reserve your spot at a reduced early bird rate!  REGISTER NOW to take advantage of this reduced rate and register for the conference.  

To learn more about the 3rd National Psychotherapy With Men Conference including guest speakers, breakout sessions and the numerous benefits of attending, visit the conference website at www.fordham.edu/PMC."

Frankly, I love this idea.  It's too bad NYC is beyond my travel capacity right now  because I would be quite interested in this conference.  Gender matters as a core facet of our identities and experiences, and psychotherapy has not always served boys and men well.

One of the more common issues we have to train counseling interns on - is how to engage and help boys and men who may not be as verbose, expressive, or articulate as females.  Let's face it, Psychology is a pretty wordy field.  We like to write long dissertations and articles, give presentations, engage in insight oriented and validating discussions, explore our thoughts and behaviors and describe them in talk therapy. For those who are not comfortable engaging in this way, it behooves the therapist to find what works.  

At the school sites, some of us shoot Nerf basketballs into little hoops while chatting with boys.  We build towers or sand tray battle scenes that depict emotions in a way words fail to.

There is even data collected at our own clinic which shows that boys tend to show more symptom improvement when paired with a male therapist.  We have no data to explain why that is-but we have lots of theories.  Do males identify more with a male therapist? Can the male counselor be a role model or father figure? Do male therapist just "get" other guys and their communication styles differently? Do male clients feel they need to act differently with therapists of different genders?

Of course there are always exceptions.  Recently, a close friend asked me for a therapist referral.  He's a USMC war veteran, and I thought a male therapist who understood military culture might be the best fit.  Yet when I gave him some names of good psychologists I know - he hesitated.  "You know, I actually think I'd be more comfortable opening up with a woman. You know - maybe it's that whole Alpha Male thing but I don't think I can spill my guts like that with another guy."  Point taken.

To learn more:

Psychotherapy with Men Conference

Bread & Recovery

Pondering the rather unimpressive bread offerings at Safeway this week- I came upon an organic loaf boasting "Say No to Bread on Drugs", 16 grains and 5 seeds. Promising.

The verdict on the bread - very tasty.  Hearty and healthy and good both savory (turkey sandwich) and sweet (with orange marmalade).

What's even more inspiring, is Dave's personal journey.  Take a few minutes to view the video - he talks about going WAY off track in life, the way (as so many of us do ) he misunderstood his father, got caught up in drugs and petty crime, hit bottom in prison, and ultimately had to take responsibility for his choices.  From there, psychiatric treatment, the love of family, and his own hard work has led to quite a thriving bread story...

Dave's Killer Bread

I was very moved by this story, because he is sharing a story we don't hear enough about.  I have friends and clients who have kicked major addictions, who have struggled valiantly with severe mental health conditions-and people really can get better.  Treatments exist and they do work.  Sometimes it takes multiple rounds to do the trick, but when a person is ready - things can change. 

I do believe in punishment and making people accountable - but I also know that giving up on a "lost cause" person is often missing the resilience and humanity that still can exist under the illness.

Family Caretaker Support

The rapidly aging demographic of our population has led to some important awareness about the hardships upon those who caretake for elderly loved ones.  Caretaking is an exhausting task that can put caretakers at risk for burn-out and exacerbate their own health issues. 

It is critical that caretakers get support, both practical respite care as well as emotional understanding and functional education.

When you have a loved one who is mentally ill - the task of caretaking may be just as great.  Family members often react in anger or fear when they don't comprehend a person's symptoms. Or, they oft go in the other extreme, going out of their way to "baby" the ill person out of concerns that they are "sick".  Neither extreme is helpful. Punishing someone who is ill does not make them better.  But treating a person who is ill yet, still intelligent and functional, as if they were totally disabled can be enabling and insulting.

Basica mental health education for family members can go a long way in making life healthier for everyone.

Locally in the Tri Cities area, there is an upcoming Family-to-Family Education program run by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Family Education and Resource Center (FERC).

This series of 12 classes will help caregivers understand and support individuals who are suffering from serious mental illness (major depression, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective or schzophrenia, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, OCD, and panic disorders).  It will also address how to best support your ill loved one while maintaining your own long term well being.

The course is taught by trained volunteers who share your experience of having a loved one who is struggling with one of these mental disorders.

This FREE training series will begin August 31, 2011 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in Union City

For Detailed information and to pre-register (registration required as spaces are limited): 

Michelle Wms-Smith (510)790-1010 or Michele@mhaac.org

FERC

Race to Nowhere - Fremont event to discuss testing & pressure on kids

I will be speaking as a member of a panel after the 7 pm showing May 21, 2011 of Race to Nowhere.  Please come watch the movie that has parents and communities talking about how high stakes testing is damaging education and child health. 

PRESS RELEASE: May 6, 2011

Contacts:

Lara York, Fremont Education Foundation 510-501-9675

Debra Watanuki, City of Fremont’s Human Relations Commission 510-921-8086

Sherea Westra, Fremont Unified District Teachers Association 510-299-4161

RACE SO WE ALL WIN

FREMONT, CA:  School reform has become an urgent national issue which must be discussed at our local level, which is why the Fremont Education Foundation (FEF), the City of Fremont’s Human Relations Commission (HRC) and the Fremont Unified District Teachers Association (FUDTA) have joined together to bring “Race to Nowhere” to Fremont on Saturday, May 21^st for two screenings at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.

Unlike the other education documentaries, “Race to Nowhere” is the only film that shows what is actually happening to our kids as a result of current national policies and practices obsessed with testing, performance and competition rather than meaningful teaching and learning. “Race to Nowhere” finally gives voice to those on the front lines who are most affected by education policies - the students and teachers themselves. “Race to Nowhere” also is the only film to spotlight the intersection between health and education. “Race to Nowhere” invites all stakeholders to come together to find workable solutions. 

Filmmaker Vicki Abeles shares,  “As a mother, I experienced the stress firsthand and realized that no one was talking about it.  I felt compelled to speak out about this crisis by making a film and giving voice to the students, teachers, and parents.  I wanted to expose a deeper truth about our education system.  We are graduating a generation of robo-students, unable to think and work independently, creatively and collaboratively.”

“After viewing this film, I was compelled to find a way for more Fremontonians to share in this powerful experience and have meaningful conversations with the students, parents, grandparents,  teachers, business leaders, civic leaders throughout the City to find ways help our children lead healthier lives.  Our lives are successful not only measured our accomplishments but our journeys, mistakes and happiness.  When do we let our children today make mistakes?” Lara York, Board Member Fremont Education Foundation and Fremont Unified School District. 

“FUDTA invites all its members to explore these issues, together with the community, to share our experiences and hear those of others,” Sherea Westra, Vice-President of the Fremont Unified District Teachers Association.

“The health and well-being of our children is fundamental for our communities to thrive; it is a top priority for our society’s future.  We cannot pass the buck and say this is a problem for the schools to solve.  The solution must come from the entire community joining together to forge true reforms to ensure that our children have every opportunity to be healthy, inspired and contributing members of our communities,” Debra Watanuki, Commissioner Human Relations Commission.

“Race to Nowhere” is a call to action to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens. After seeing the film, your views on education and childhood will forever be changed.  The film empowers everyone to get involved and take ownership of what’s happening in our schools and communities. 

“Race to Nowhere”

Saturday, May 21^st

Washington West, Anderson Auditorium

2:00 p.m. screening followed by a discussion

7:00 p.m. screening followed by a panel discussion

Doors open 30 minutes before.

Purchase tickets online at: www.racetonowhere.com

$10 in advance.  $15 at the door.

Seating is limited.

 

 

The Fremont Education Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt, public charity, established in 1991, to encourage increased community involvement and investment in our schools. Our members include parents, educators, school administrators, business people, and others from our community.  We are an independent foundation that works closely with, but is separate from, the Fremont Unified School District.

The Fremont Unified District Teachers Association was chartered in 1965 and is the professional organization for the certificated personnel of the Fremont Unified School District. Our total membership is 1,800 full and part-time professionals. We are a charter of the California Teachers Association/National Education Association (CTA/NEA).

The City of Fremont's Human Relations Commission promotes and helps create a community
environment in which all men, women and children, regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, disability or sexual orientation, may live, learn, work and play in harmony.

Support for locals impacted by Japanese Quake & Tsunami

The footage and stories coming forth from Japan are heartbreaking and nearly impossible to comprehend.  Long after the headlines are gone and the media have moved on, the people impacted by disasters are still rebuilding and healing.  I hope we will all keep our Japanese brothers and sisters in our hearts, minds and actions for years to come.

In the meantime, resources are being made available to assist with the immediate crises.  One SF Bay Area local therapist has organized free support groups in Japanese for those impacted by the disasters.

THANKS to Yuko Ninomiya!!!

INFORMATION on FREE SUPPORT GROUP in April:

The impact of these natural disasters and subsequent nuclear crisis have been overwhelming. 

The monster quake and tsunami hit Northeastern Japan on March 11 and there have been so many casualties.  

This support group is for Japanese-speaking people in San Francisco Bay Area to talk about their sense of sadness, fear and loss in a safe environment. 

Some may have lost family members, relatives or friends. Many may have been heart-broken by watching unimaginable disasters in their homeland. 

The goal of this support group is for participants to regain a sense of safety and strength.

This group will be offered for 5 weeks and conducted in Japanese. 

This is an open group so that people can join whenever they need support.

Dates : April 2 to April 30  Every Saturday 10:30 ~ 11:30 am

Location：2409A Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94115

                     （near California Pacific Medical Center and Japan Town）

Facilitator：Yuko Ninomiya, MA    Email: yukoninomiya@yahoo.com

                       　　　　      　                Phone:　４１５−６８２−４５２５

Living amid Disasters

Watching the heart rending footage out of Japan these last few days, I was reminded how we indeed are global citizens.  How we all aspire to the same things, treasure our families and our homes, and share vulnerabilities.  How we all live as puny beings in the shadow of natural events as well as our man made follies. 

In November of 2005, I volunteered to go on a federally organized disaster relief deployment in New Orleans.  I was privileged to spend almost all my days there working with First Responders and their families.  They were exhausted, mightily traumatized, and all around us was wasteland as far as the eye could see.  Homes with nothing left but the front cement stairs and some foundation.  Cars and boats flipped onto lawns.The post tsunami footage feels eerily familiar - yet is far worse in scope, and comes with an unwanted helping of snowfall and nuclear risk as well.

Back in NOLA -at one point, a police officer grumbled some gruff appreciation and noted "I can't see why anyone would come here right now."  My response, was that someday, we would need help too.  And when that time came, we would need to lean on our brothers and sisters too.  Surely the "great quake" which would level Northern California, which I had been hearing about since elementary school - was coming. 

I saw some wretched things during deployment, but I also witnessed the purity of purpose which inspired thousands of volunteers.  I bumped into a fellow Oaklander, who was cooking up breakfast for First Responders out of a camper in a  makeshift, tarp covered feeding station.  There were people there from every single state of the Union-and other countries too. 

What our government was unequipped to handle - volunteers helped provide.  Shelter, food, animal rescue, clothes, comfort, medicines, information, childcare...

Whether the damages and pain occurs in Louisiana, China, New Zealand, Haiti, Libya, Ivory Coast, or Japan, we all have a little something we could share.  Just imagine what would help you, what will help us when our "big one" hits-and lend a hand. 

Doctors without Borders

Living Social Red Cross Donation

Even "positive" stereotypes are wrong

Many students and friends have wondered if I would write about Amy Chua the so called Tiger mother whose inflammatory "Why Chinese Mothers are Superior" essay set off an avalanche of controversy in the Wall Street Journal.

All I have to say is that one can pretty much read my past blog entries i.e. "Helicoper parents" and "Education Asian style", to know where I stand on the browbeating school of parenting.  Yes, I agree a parent should push their kids hard and spend lots of time overseeing homework and enrichment.  But I feel one can do so without resorting to a single minded pursuit that denies a child all semblance of autonomy and emotional curiosity/freedom.

It's harmful to all Asians and Asian Americans when stereotypes are flung wildly about like in this article.  The seemingly positive "Model Minority" stereotype denies each of us our individuality.

And it tries to lump Chinese with Burmese, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Thai, Taiwanese, Lao, Hmong, Japanese, Koreans etc...Amy Chua does not speak for all Asian moms, not even all Chinese mom, nor Chinese American moms.  The larger powers that be love the model minority myth because it upholds the falsehood that we live in a true meritocracy.  That anyone could have "perfect" kids like Amy Chua if they simply worked as hard as those zealous Chinese mom.  It simply isn't true.  Other Asians live in poverty or may not speak English or may have learning disabilities or war trauma, or any other number of different strengths and weaknesses. Most humans on earth, (to say the least of most Asians!) do not have the educational, health, housing, and financial benefits of someone like Amy Chua.

PLease take a read at the below statement to be released by the Asian American Psychological Association:

Asian American Stereotypes

Two instances of stereotypes of Asian Americans have recently surfaced in the media.
One involved media coverage of the book, Battle hymn of the tiger mother by Yale Law School Professor Amy Chua. The media coverage of Chua’s book focused on Chinese American parents
who are strict, critical, and emphasize their children’s academic success. A Wall Street Journal essay by Chua on the book is entitled, “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior”.

The second stereotype involved the exclusion of Asian Americans by the National Research Council (NRC) in their rankings of the diversity of doctoral programs. Non-Asian ethnic minority students, women, and international faculty and students were included in the rankings. The implication is that the achievements and characteristics of Asian Americans are on par with those of European Americans and for this reason, Asian Americans do not bring diversity to doctoral programs.

These instances that highlight academic success are stereotypic because not all Asian Americans fit these stereotypes. However, it could be argued in both cases that the stereotypes are positive and not harmful. Academic success, whether it be among children or among students and faculty in doctoral programs, is laudable. Nevertheless, harsh parenting is not uniformly effective, and may create undue pressure and have harmful psychological consequences. A harmful effect of the apparent success of Asian Americans in higher education is invisibility in the NRC data. However, many Asian Americans have unique cultures and experiences that enhance the diversity of institutions as much as the cultures and experiences of any other minority group.

Seemingly positive stereotypes of Asian Americans as academically successful also have not resulted in acceptance into mainstream American society. Research by psychologists Thierry Devos and Mahzarin Banaji suggests that Asian Americans are viewed as less American than members of other ethnic groups in the U.S. Academic success does not immunize Asian Americans from the discrimination that targets all ethnic minority groups in the U.S.

Discrimination toward Asian Americans ranges from microaggressions such as the question “where are you from?” to institutional discrimination, such as systematic exclusion from leadership positions based on perceptions of culturally-based personality characteristics of inscrutability and passivity.

Moreover, Asian American academic success may be perceived as threatening and some would contend that Asian Americans should not receive special attention because this would constitute an unfair advantage.

Stereotypes of any group are inherently inaccurate because they try to shoehorn all members of the group being stereotyped into a single conception while ignoring the wide diversity within the group. Moreover, some stereotypes are simply wrong and are perpetuated by the majority group in order to bias perception of the targeted group. Asians in the U.S. are from at least 30 different national and cultural backgrounds and there also is much individual diversity within any Asian American group. There certainly are unique, positive characteristics of Asian American cultures that may enhance well-being, including academic achievement.

However, an exclusive focus on the academic achievements of Asian Americans has rendered them invisible at times, threatening at other times, and overlooks their needs as a minority group. Indeed,there are many Asian Americans that fit the exact opposite of the academic success stereotype,with many struggling academically and living in poverty.

The Asian American Psychological Association encourages a balanced consideration of both the strengths and needs of the over 15 million diverse people of Asian ancestry in the U.S.

FYI to read what all the fuss is about:

Education Asian Style

I was thrilled to see our Asian Canadian neighbors making a serious attempt to talk with their communities about the narrow and unhealthy over-emphasis on University education & particular areas of study:

Educators encourage Asian education options

It seems obvious really.  It is statistically impossible for the vast majority of Asian young people to all be accepted into "brand name" universities.  Also impossible, that those who do get accepted, will all want to be doctors, lawyers, and engineers.
(Oh, OKay, maybe a professor or an MBA would be all right so long as the school was sufficiently fancy.)

There is little use for person in the real world whose only skills are in memorizing textbooks or code.  What about civic mindedness, empathy, self reflection, morality, intuition, creativity, independence, bravery, kindness, or charisma?

Forcing young people into ill fitting majors at ill fitting universities is more likely to lead to anxiety and depression than a lifetime of joy.  I know many parents push this so hard because they think checking off the list of educational accomplishments is some kind of guaranteed ticket to the good life.  It simply isn't so. 

I know unemployed Ivy League graduates.  I also know fantastically happy, creative, and wealthy State college or community college graduates.  I am fond of cheerfully pointing out to clients that I probably never had a 4.0 since Junior high school!  They look shocked.  I think they are shocked that I would admit such a shameful (gasp!) thing openly, but I also hope they are comprehending my point that lack of academic stardom did not keep me from finding well-paying work whichI love.  I never had a stellar GPA because I was busy. Busy with drama, dance classes, friends, volunteer work (and this was before schools required volunteer hours), hiking, traveling internationally, and working part-time.  What I lost in grade points I gained in spades in life experience. 

Many of my clients who did what they were told to all their lives have made the unpleasant discovery as young adults that they do not know now how to self-direct.  And that all their hard work and studying did not make life feel meaningful.
That maybe they should have followed their original dream of being a social worker, actor, mechanic, fireman, chef, or dancer...

Certainly some parents are understanding now the value of balancing a child's humanity with their academic achievements.  I am glad that as a community we are dialogueing about this topic.  Children are meant to be more than show ponies who are loved only if they fulfill their parents academic dreams.
And planning a child's life path from Kindergarten through graduate school for them is unhealthy.  Education, true wisdom comes from living, so let your child truly live.

Hungry Ka Na Ba?

On November 13, 2010 Asian Health Services and Filipino Advocates for Justice held Hungry Ka Na Ba? at St Anne's Church of Union City.  Unlike many dull fundraising/educational events, this one featured something everyone loves: food! 

The theme of the event was about cultural foods we love, and how to enjoy them in ways that maintain health.

A 2009 filipino community health needs assessment survey conducted in Union City indicated many areas of concern such as:

• 50% of respondents were in the overweight to obese range of body mass - the highest BMI of any Asian American group
• Nearly a third of respondents (28%) reported hypertension (high blood pressure)
• 75% of respondents ate at fast food restaurants weekly, and two thirds at fast food up to three times per week
• 11% of respondents had been diagnosed with diabetes, and another 6% were pre-diabetic
• Filipino adolescents have the highest lifetime asthma rates of all Asian Americans (23.3%)
• Respondents favored sedentary activities, and preferred low impact exercise with minimal cardiovascular benefits
• 40% of favorite foods identified by respondents featured meat as the main ingredient
• Respondents reported a hypercholesterolemia rate of 24%, with 21% of those aged 25-39 already suffering from high cholesterol

(for more information on the Filipino Advocacy and Organizing for Health study, which also addresses TB and health care access contact www.filipinos4justice.org)

So- how to address these issues constructively? 

No one wants the food police nagging over every bite.  I myself often joke that I am "culturally incapable" of dieting.  My culture values the art of cooking and the joys of food centered socializing to the extreme.  Yet I have found that one can have both an enjoyable healthy lifestyle as well as delicious food.  Eating well and regularly exercising in a way of life in my household.  That way, when it's time to indulge in a treat or special occasion, we can do so guilt and worry-free.

Hungry Ka Na? showcased healthier versions of traditional foods.  The recipes were modified to contain more fresh vegetables, leaner cuts of meat, no refined sugars or transfats, no artificial flavorings, and an emphasis on local and organic ingredients.

Lucky guests like myself chowed down on Mexipino Kilawin (ceviche), Mungo, Menudo, eggplant bistek, tuna pan de sal and more.  Here I visit with Jen Lee & John Fong from Asian Health Services

My favorites were the Sotanghon noodle and veggie soup by Penny Baldado of Cafe Gabriela in Oakland (she was a winner in the food voting), and of course: Desserts!! Buko Pandan (jell-o and coconut w lychee-cutting the condensed milk and sugar did not negatively impact the yummy treat) by Elvie Jose and Baked Cassava sprinkled with toasted coconut from the Cruz/Libaste family.

Chef Dominic Ainza, a former youth counselor, and current chef at Mercury Lounge in San francisco provided a celebrity guest appearance to demonstrate several dishes made with local purchases sourced that very morning from the Union City Farmer's Market.  He talked about the importance of health, and how his three daughters serve as an inspiration for him to take better care of his own health habits on a regular basis.  Die hard foodies will recognize and be impressed by the restaurants Dominic has cooked at, which include Poleng Lounge and Betelnut in SF.

Thanks to Asian Health Services & Washington Hospital for sponsoring such a tasty and fun event to remind  us all that health is wealth and does not neccesitate culinary deprivation!  Thanks to Filipino Advocates for Justice and their incredible volunteers for conducting the local health survey and continuing to work on food justice and health promotion education.