On Nov. 15, Delta College hosted Netflix Star Kevin Kreider through a collaboration with mental health group TBH
Kreider, star of Netflix’s Bling Empire, spoke about his journey to sobriety as well his struggles with cultural identity and the importance of mental health awareness. The TBH Mental Health Group hosted this event aimed to spark important conversations on the often passed over topic of mental health in the Asian-American community as well as mental health as a whole.
The event focused on promoting open conversations about mental health. TBH is the mental health and wellness support platform offered to Delta College students that includes therapy, podcasts, and peer support.
Kreider, whose personal experiences have inspired countless individuals, talked about his path to recovery and the importance of representation in media for mental health awareness. More than 50 students attended the event.
Kreider’s story began in South Korea where he was abandoned at the age of three and left at a city council building. He was later adopted by a German-Irish Catholic family in the United States.
While Kreider expressed gratitude for the love his adoptive parents gave him, he spoke about his struggles with identity and belonging. While growing up at home things were good when he started going to school things changed for him.
“Growing up I didn’t know I was Asian until other kids at school started pointing it out,” he said spoke. “I wasn’t accepted by the white community, and I wasn’t ‘Asian enough’ for the Asian community.” when attempting to make friends and things of that nature he continue to be bullied with stereotypes.
Kreider said his identity struggles, combined with societal expectations, led him to seek comfort in alcohol.
“I didn’t know how to cope, so I drank,” Kreider said. “I was in so much debt and didn’t know how to fix my life.” Then he was able to talk about things with living with his dad.
He then reflected on his addiction to alcohol explaining how it was a way to numb the pain of being disconnected from both his heritage and his community. When he spoke next it was on facing issues. “I used alcohol to escape. Eventually I had to face my problems,” he said.
Kreider said his decision to get sober became the turning point in his life. As it was holding him back in more then one way.
“Sobriety was the first step I took to get my life back on track,” he said. “It wasn’t just about stopping the drinking it was about starting a new way of living, accepting myself, and facing the tough things I had been avoiding.”
His journey to recovery wasn’t easy but Kreider made crucial the importance of having a support system, especially through the 12-step recovery program.
“The first step in recovery is acceptance you have to admit you need help before you can make any real changes,” he said.
He said addiction isn’t limited to substances, it’s a way of coping with emotional pain and fear.
“It could be drinking, gambling, or even being toxic toward others,” he said.
He stressed that addiction is a habit that can be broken if you’re ready to confront it.
“Addiction is a pattern and patterns can be changed,” Kreider said. “Recovery is about more than just quitting something it’s about transforming your mindset, your behavior, and your life.”
Through sobriety Kreider began addressing the emotional wounds behind his addiction and took the first steps toward healing the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly within Asian communities where such struggles are often downplayed or ignored.
“In some Asian cultures mental health issues aren’t talked about,” he said. “The general attitude is to push through the pain to just keep going.”
Kreider’s desire to shift these representations isn’t just about challenging outdated stereotypes but also about redefining what it means to be a man in today’s world.
In his talk Kreider emphasized mental health should be a priority and that the journey to recovery is ongoing.
You’ve said this.
The event concluded with Kreider’s powerful reminder that mental health support is available and it’s OK to ask for help.
The TBH Mental Health Group continues to provide resources for Delta students, offering therapy, podcasts, and one on one sessions for those seeking guidance and support.
