What do you understand by the word culture when you hear it? It is certainly much larger than just any single individual. It entails adhering to a set of shared values, beliefs, traditions, and a feeling of self-identity. Similarly, anytime we discuss mental health or well-being, we are referring to something much greater than a single individual. Attitudes, abilities, and resources that contribute to well-being are also impacted by external factors, such as our relationships with others, our capacity to participate in bigger groups, and our physical and social surroundings. However, the most critical component continues to be our culture, which includes our capacity to engage in and connect with our cultural groups.
A variety of relationships exist between culture and mental health on different levels. As a preliminary step, people of the community who identify as belonging to unique ethnic or cultural groups may be more susceptible to developing mental health problems because they may be subjected to a greater number of stressors, such as discrimination and alienation. Cultural diversity, on the other hand, is a treasure mine of tenacity and fortitude. In order to achieve well-being, it can assist individuals in overcoming obstacles and deciding on their own route to well-being.
To provide efficient and convenient mental health care to people of all cultures, it is vital to understand the cultural factors that influence mental health. So, what are some of those factors?
✔ UNNECESSARY DISGRACE AROUND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
The stress of stigmatization in all aspects of one's life has a negative impact on one's well-being. People may face shame and bias in a variety of settings, including education, employment, housing, health care, and the legal system, to mention a few. In Western culture, there is a social stigma attached to mental health illnesses. Other cultures may likewise have a negative attitude about mental health or substance abuse. Some people may attempt to avoid embarrassment by refusing to acknowledge the existence of a problem, which can result in treatment being hampered.
✔ DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS
The manner in which people seek assistance may also be influenced by culture. Some people may prefer to discuss their concerns with family members or religious leaders rather than with a doctor. Others may prefer to converse with someone from a different cultural background. Furthermore, some people may be less likely than others to engage in conversation with anyone. A person's perception of what constitutes a "trouble" may differ from that of another. Something may be classified as a problem by the healthcare system, yet it may be perceived in a very positive light by others, such as a spiritual experience. Furthermore, some people may come from countries where there is no health care or a health care system that is inaccessible, and as a result, they may not comprehend how another health care system works or have faith in health care specialists. There are however societies where mental health disorders are simply connected with spiritual weakness, and as a result, no treatment is sought for those who are suffering from these conditions.
✔ STRONG FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT/INFLUENCE SYSTEM
Now when I say that community or culture can either help curb a mental health concern immediately or let it rot for a long time, I talk about those cultures where people are living in close proximity. For instance, in African cultures, it is almost impossible to keep your mental strife hidden as people live closely together and almost all of them judge each other all the time. This leads to mishandling of a mental health concern and thus the treatment is rarely sought. I don’t mean to say that it happens all over Africa. There are places in Africa where people influence each other positively when faced with some mental health challenges. Support and influence have a great role to play in the treatment of mental health.
✔ WITNESSING TRAUMA AS A COMMUNITY VS INDIVIDUAL LOSS
On the other hand, witnessing any trauma may have a different impact in some cultures. In most cases, witnessing some traumatic event as a community had very severe and life-long adverse impacts on people. Whereas, going through some personal tragedy during a global or countrywide crisis had a different and less severe impact. For instance, when a society undergoes the horrors of war and destruction, the people are left with indelible marks of torture, depression, and agony. They do not talk about their personal losses only. Their focus remains on the agonizing experience they had watching their society collapse and die. The most accurate example can be of the refugees who recall and stay mentally disturbed for a long time. So, the role of culture again is very important when we talk about mental health treatment options.
Learning about the influences of society and culture on the way we address mental healthcare can help prevent damaging misconceptions, remove barriers, and encourage people of all cultures to seek the help they need.
To provide efficient and convenient mental health care to people of all cultures, it is vital to understand the cultural factors that influence mental health. So, what are some of those factors?
✔ UNNECESSARY DISGRACE AROUND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
The stress of stigmatization in all aspects of one's life has a negative impact on one's well-being. People may face shame and bias in a variety of settings, including education, employment, housing, health care, and the legal system, to mention a few. In Western culture, there is a social stigma attached to mental health illnesses. Other cultures may likewise have a negative attitude about mental health or substance abuse. Some people may attempt to avoid embarrassment by refusing to acknowledge the existence of a problem, which can result in treatment being hampered.
✔ DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS
The manner in which people seek assistance may also be influenced by culture. Some people may prefer to discuss their concerns with family members or religious leaders rather than with a doctor. Others may prefer to converse with someone from a different cultural background. Furthermore, some people may be less likely than others to engage in conversation with anyone. A person's perception of what constitutes a "trouble" may differ from that of another. Something may be classified as a problem by the healthcare system, yet it may be perceived in a very positive light by others, such as a spiritual experience. Furthermore, some people may come from countries where there is no health care or a health care system that is inaccessible, and as a result, they may not comprehend how another health care system works or have faith in health care specialists. There are however societies where mental health disorders are simply connected with spiritual weakness, and as a result, no treatment is sought for those who are suffering from these conditions.
✔ STRONG FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT/INFLUENCE SYSTEM
Now when I say that community or culture can either help curb a mental health concern immediately or let it rot for a long time, I talk about those cultures where people are living in close proximity. For instance, in African cultures, it is almost impossible to keep your mental strife hidden as people live closely together and almost all of them judge each other all the time. This leads to mishandling of a mental health concern and thus the treatment is rarely sought. I don’t mean to say that it happens all over Africa. There are places in Africa where people influence each other positively when faced with some mental health challenges. Support and influence have a great role to play in the treatment of mental health.
✔ WITNESSING TRAUMA AS A COMMUNITY VS INDIVIDUAL LOSS
On the other hand, witnessing any trauma may have a different impact in some cultures. In most cases, witnessing some traumatic event as a community had very severe and life-long adverse impacts on people. Whereas, going through some personal tragedy during a global or countrywide crisis had a different and less severe impact. For instance, when a society undergoes the horrors of war and destruction, the people are left with indelible marks of torture, depression, and agony. They do not talk about their personal losses only. Their focus remains on the agonizing experience they had watching their society collapse and die. The most accurate example can be of the refugees who recall and stay mentally disturbed for a long time. So, the role of culture again is very important when we talk about mental health treatment options.
Learning about the influences of society and culture on the way we address mental healthcare can help prevent damaging misconceptions, remove barriers, and encourage people of all cultures to seek the help they need.
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