An anonymous collection of responses from AANHPI students answering the prompt:
Embedded Files
"I didn't ask because ... "
"I didn't ask because ... "
This project explores why many AANHPI students hesitate to ask for help, even when struggling with mental health, physical health, academic pressure, or personal challenges.
Created by Cindy Le through the Youth Ambassador Program at Act to Change.
The statements below are anonymous responses submitted by AANHPI students.
No names are required. Responses are shared only with permission.
K.L Response"I didn’t ask for help because I thought I should be able to handle it on my own."
"I didn’t ask for help because I thought I should be able to handle it on my own."
"In my family, resilience meant not complaining. I told myself other people had bigger problems, and I didn’t want to seem weak. It wasn’t that I didn’t need support. I just didn’t think I was supposed to ask for it."
- K.L (San Diego, CA)
- K.L (San Diego, CA)
G.Y Recording"I didn’t ask for help because I felt like I should be grateful, not struggling."
"I didn’t ask for help because I felt like I should be grateful, not struggling."
- G.Y (Los Angeles, CA)
- G.Y (Los Angeles, CA)
I.L Recording"I didn’t ask for help because I didn’t see anyone around me asking either."
"I didn’t ask for help because I didn’t see anyone around me asking either."
- I.L (Bay Area, CA)
- I.L (Bay Area, CA)
"I didn’t ask for help because I didn’t want to worry my parents."
"I didn’t ask for help because I didn’t want to worry my parents."
- K.F (Bay Area, CA)
- K.F (Bay Area, CA)
"I didn’t ask for help because I didn’t think my problem was serious enough."
"I didn’t ask for help because I didn’t think my problem was serious enough."
- A.L (Los Angeles, CA)
- A.L (Los Angeles, CA)
"I didn’t ask for help because I didn’t want to be seen as weak."
"I didn’t ask for help because I didn’t want to be seen as weak."
- A.J (San Diego, CA)
- A.J (San Diego, CA)
Why This Exists:
Why This Exists:
In many AANHPI communities, strength is often associated with endurance. We are taught to stay resilient, work hard, and not burden others. Because of that, silence can feel normal.
Over time, that silence can shape when and whether we ask for help.
This project was created to make those patterns visible. What might feel like an individual hesitation is often part of a shared experience shaped by culture, expectation, and responsibility.
By placing responses side by side, we hope to create recognition, connection, and understanding within AANHPI communities.
Participation Invitation
Participation Invitation
If this resonates with you, you are welcome to add your own response. You may share as much or as little as you’d like.
Participation is anonymous by default.
This space was created to build connection.
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