Mental health remains one of the most complex and stigmatized issues across Asia. For Jonathan Kuek—a psychology researcher and advocate—it’s not just about treatment, but about reshaping the narrative and infrastructure supporting mental health.
In this interview, Jonathan Kuek shares his candid insights on misconceptions in recovery, challenges in psychology education, ethical concerns in digital therapy, and what it takes to truly support mental wellness in the region.
Highlights
Rethinking Recovery: Education, Culture, and Digital Frontiers
Q: What are the biggest misconceptions about mental health recovery in Asia, and how can educators or policymakers reshape these narratives?
A: One emerging misconception is the belief that engaging with professional help is enough for long-term recovery. While that may hold true for some, most individuals need to actively and conscientiously manage their mental health to prevent relapse or deterioration. This isn’t a critique of mental health services, but a reflection of the chronic, often recurring nature of many conditions.
Another issue is complacency—the assumption that once someone seeks help, they’ll automatically get better. This can lead to disillusionment when recovery proves more difficult than expected. The truth is, recovery is multifaceted and deeply personal. We need more honest conversations about its complexity, moving away from oversimplified narratives. Recovery isn’t always linear, and setbacks shouldn’t be seen as failures.
Hope is essential, but it needs to be grounded in reality. If we set unrealistic expectations, we risk leaving people feeling like they’ve failed. We must strike a balance between optimism and realism, empowering people to take an active role in their recovery while acknowledging the ongoing nature of their challenges.
Q: How should psychology education evolve to better prepare students for real-world mental health challenges?
A: First, we need to define the scope, are we talking about undergraduate education, or beyond? Even within bachelor’s programs, curricula vary widely across institutions in Asia. This diversity can be enriching, but it also creates uncertainty about what a psychology graduate should actually know.
We’ve relied heavily on Western models for decades. But Asia faces unique challenges, like limited legislative frameworks and a shortage of qualified professionals. A regional, standardized curriculum would help create consistency, but we also need training programs tailored to our specific conditions.
One idea is to develop shorter, integrated programs combining undergrad and postgrad specialist training. Of course, there are challenges—lack of qualified supervisors, limited institutional support, and resistance to changing established systems. But with the evolution of AI, we might one day use technology to help fill some of these gaps.
Q: What ethical concerns do you see emerging with digital mental health tools like AI and teletherapy?
A: There are several: overreliance on technology, privacy risks, the absence of built-in safety measures, unintended effects like increased isolation, and reduced motivation to seek human help. Plus, there’s the issue of accountability; what happens when something goes wrong?
These concerns exist in traditional mental health services, too, but the involvement of AI raises additional anxiety because of its unpredictable evolution. That said, the potential and scalability of digital tools are immense, especially in Asia’s under-resourced areas. I see them as a necessary part of the future, but they must be implemented carefully and ethically.
Q: What global recovery models do you think Southeast Asia should adopt or learn from?
A: Rather than importing models wholesale, we should build Asian-centric frameworks rooted in lived experiences, cultural context, equity, and shared ownership. Of course, we can’t reinvent everything from scratch—globalization has already shaped how we talk about mental health, even down to the language we use.
That said, one model I find particularly relevant is CHIME—Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning, and Empowerment. While it appears universal, we need to re-examine each component through an Asian lens. Only then can we translate these concepts into culturally sensitive, impactful practices that reflect our diverse realities.
Building Safe Systems: Workplaces, Messaging, and the Future of Mental Health
Q: How can workplaces go beyond crisis support to actively enable long-term mental health recovery and reintegration?
A: It’s a delicate balance between accommodating individual needs and managing business priorities. The best path forward is a shared decision-making framework where all stakeholders—employee, manager, HR—have equal input on what recovery support looks like.
Tailored return-to-work plans are crucial. Each case is different, so strategies must be personalized. Employers need to lead with empathy and maintain open, transparent communication. Leadership buy-in is especially important—it sets the tone for a psychologically safe workplace, which is essential for meaningful reintegration.
Q: What has been most effective in building trust and engagement when communicating mental health topics to diverse audiences?
A: Crafting relatable, realistic, and, where appropriate, evidence-based narratives. You need to know your audience—what they’ve experienced, what they believe about mental health, and how familiar they are with the topic.
Authenticity is key. I want people to feel my genuine intent to connect with them. That starts with deep listening. Before I started advocating, I spent years listening to people from all walks of life. That foundation of empathy allows me to communicate in ways that resonate deeply.
Q: How can we shift the focus from illness to flourishing in mental health discourse and care across the region?
A: This is complicated. Mental health and mental illness are distinct concepts, but deeply intertwined. The problem arises when they’re misused or conflated—sometimes to sound more sophisticated than necessary—which muddles public understanding.
Rather than tackling this head-on with definitions, I believe in meeting people where they are and guiding them toward a more nuanced understanding. The goal is widespread mental health literacy, which over time will naturally shift the discourse. And we must start young—teaching children and teens about mental health in age-appropriate ways is essential for long-term change.
Final Thoughts: Rethinking Recovery with Courage and Clarity
Jonathan Kuek’s insights highlight not only the complexity of mental health but also the urgent need for culturally relevant approaches in education, the workplace, and technology. His call for authenticity, empathy, and systems-level reform resonates with anyone committed to improving mental health across Asia.
Highlights
Read the Chinese article here, or listen to the podcast here.
