The first things that spring to mind when we think of culture are various languages, diverse foods, and different dress. The culture of a civilization, on the other hand, has an impact on a person’s thoughts, norms, and values. It has an impact on how you see certain concepts or behaviors. In the case of mental health, it can have an impact on whether you seek therapy, what kind of care you seek, and how much assistance you receive.
To assist our loved ones and urge treatment when it is most needed, we must recognize the relevance of culture in mental health care.
Some ways that culture impacts our mental health:-
Cultural stigma:- Every culture has its own outlook on mental health. Mental health problems are becoming stigmatized, and many people see them as a sign of weakness or shame. It may be more difficult for folks who are struggling to open up and ask for help as a result of this.
Understanding symptoms:- The way people express and feel about their symptoms is influenced by their culture. It can influence whether or not someone recognizes and discusses simply physical symptoms, only emotional ones, or both.
Community Support:- When it comes to mental health, cultural differences might influence how much assistance someone receives from their family and community. Minorities are sometimes left to acquire mental health therapy and support on their own due to existing stigma.
Resources:- When seeking mental health care, you want to speak with someone who knows your specific experiences and worries. Finding tools and therapy options that take specific cultural aspects and needs into account can be challenging and time-consuming.
These are just a few examples of how culture might influence mental health perceptions and treatment. Every culture and individual is unique, and each has its own path to healing.
Different cultural perspectives on health and sickness, coping strategies, treatment-seeking behaviors, historical influences, racism, bias, and stereotyping, gender and family, and stigma and discrimination all have an impact on mental health. Other key factors for mental health practitioners and policymakers include communication, the use of cultural and linguistic translators, the marginalization of traditional positive resources in the community, and the nature of cultural competency and other cross-cultural training. According to a large body of research, mental health professionals and institutions must take an ethno-specific approach to mental health. These techniques should allow for cultural adaptations by combining biomedical and western health principles with more traditional and community-based approaches. Incorporating the work of traditional healers and healing systems in communities, as well as community elders, for example. While cultural differences pose a number of critical challenges when it comes to working with mental health, they also present a number of unique and successful strategies to work toward healthy mental health.
Importance of Professional Counseling: A friend or family member may listen to you, but they aren’t professionally, technically qualified or experienced to offer you professional advice. If you wish you can contact us at MindTribe to receive help from our team of expert psychologists.
About MindTribe.in.
MindTribe Founder Dr. Prerna Kohli, India’s eminent psychologist, established the company to leverage the strength of the online to make counseling affordable and accessible to everyone. MindTribe provides counseling, workshops, support groups, forums, and eLearning.
About the Author.
Rujusmitaa Panicker is a psychologist at MindTribe.in. You can learn more about her by clicking here
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MindTribe.in, the Founders, or management team.
Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.