Researchers have found that pandemic experiences of racial discrimination were associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. This was certainly true for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during the past few years, who endured bigotry and racist attacks after President Donald Trump labeled the coronavirus the “Chinese virus.” Jason Wu, an Asian therapist, said he witnessed firsthand the effect that xenophobia and racism had on his community. One client said they started to question whether moving to America was the right decision, as they hadn’t realized that racism toward Asians was so prevalent. Another talked about the hours they would spend scrolling through videos of hate incidents, feeling angry, anxious and hopeless about the future and the potential for change. One client even said they started to carry a pocketknife when they went out in public. Before the pandemic, about 20 percent of his clients were Asian-identified individuals, he said. Now it’s closer to 60 percent. Many Asian individuals, young and old, are opening up to therapy as well as explicitly addressing the mental health consequences of racism, Wu said. Every person of color in the United States has experienced some form of bigotry. Here are some of the things I tell my patients to help them cope with racism-induced stress. Read more by tapping the link in our profile.