Breaking The Barrier In South Asians and Mental Health Perception Part 1
This topic is so expansive and complex a single post is not enough to encompass it all. With more and more research we are seeing that mental health is as important for your overall health as exercise and routine primary care visits. But how do I bring this care to the undeserved populations that don't really have a positive view of it? Among South Asians, the cultural, societal, and generational barriers to mental health are particularly pronounced. The first step in being able to provide quality mental health care starts with us understanding what is barriers are, and how the perceptions around mental health is shaped amongst the Asian and south Asian communities.
In South Asian communities, mental health issues are often surrounded by a veil of stigma and silence. Cultural expectations and societal norms play a significant role in this perception:
1. Family Honor and Social Reputation:Mental health issues are frequently seen as a threat to family honor. Admitting to a mental health problem can be perceived as bringing shame to the family, leading individuals to hide their struggles.
2. Perceived Weakness: There is a common belief that mental health issues signify personal weakness or a lack of resilience. This belief discourages people from seeking help, as they fear being judged or labeled as weak.
3. Privacy Concerns: Many South Asians prefer to keep personal issues within the family, avoiding external help. This preference for privacy can prevent individuals from accessing necessary mental health services.
The first step to seeking proper mental health care is becoming aware of the stigma, and the problem with staying silent. Culture expectations are expected to change in a healthy response to the changing environment and community. Immigration and the complexity of being in a multi-generational household at to the barriers of seeking care. Often times due to large amounts of a measurement within families the privacy concerns become one of the major blocking factors to seeking care. As mental health professionals, we have to see how we can help the client receive the care they need, and deserve while still maintaining their privacy. With tele-health and video visits this increase access to care for many, but from many other individuals, it also create a barrier, as they are not able to find a private space to openly speak and express what they're going through. For this reason we offer in person visits at MindFlow Psych.
For Part we will delve into what are common symptoms seen in Asian Americans and what might help.
-Kuljit Mann (Korey) PMHNP-BC
Psych NP, Therapist and Founder of MindFlow Psychiatry
