Interwoven Identities

Mental health remains a quiet thread in many Asian communities, often hidden beneath the surface. Silence is seen as strength; endurance is mistaken for resilience. While mental health awareness continues to grow across Canada, stigma within Asian communities lingers, leaving many Asian Canadians hesitant to seek support or speak openly about their struggles.

We are shaped by the stories we carry. Our identities are woven not just by appearance or affiliation, but by the invisible threads of memory, values, and lived experiences passed down through generations. These inheritances shape how we see ourselves and how we navigate the world.

For many in the Asian diaspora, these inherited narratives profoundly impact mental well-being. Cultural values, family expectations, and social norms may foster strength, but they can also create silence, emotional restraint, and a fear of vulnerability.
Interwoven Identities is an art exhibition created by the Asian Arts Culture Trust in collaboration with Hong Fook Mental Health Association, gently unraveling themes of Asian mental health through visual storytelling and shared reflection. Since its debut at Hong Fook, the exhibition has traveled to Hart House at the University of Toronto and STACKT Market, and will also be available online through AACT’s Manifesto Space in May. Through this evolving journey, we create space for healing, where vulnerability is not a burden, but a bridge, reconnecting us to ourselves and one another.