When people think of culture, they think of language, clothing, food, and other items. However, culture also includes values and beliefs. It has an impact on how you think and how you interact with other people. When you consider mental health, culture often determines whether or not people seek help. In fact, many minorities in the United States are hesitant to seek mental health treatment until the problem is severe. Take a look at four ways that culture impacts mental health.
- There Might Be a Cultural Stigma
Different cultures look at mental health in different ways. A number of different cultures have a stigma that is growing around mental health, as it can be seen as a sign of weakness. As a result, they may hide any problems, and they will avoid asking for help or speaking openly about it. This can be a problem because they may resist asking for help until the symptoms are significant.
- Culture Can Influence How People Understand Their Symptoms
Culture can influence the way that people understand their symptoms. Some people may only recognize physical symptoms, but they may feel like they will be judged for being weak. Others may not acknowledge emotional weakness. They may want help for physical symptoms without acknowledging how they feel. Culture can have an impact on whether people recognize physical symptoms, emotional symptoms, or both.
- Culture Can Influence How Much Community Support They Have
Culture also has an impact on how much support someone has from their families or community when it comes to mental health. In some cultures, mental health is not discussed, and any issues are considered a sign of weakness. People may not get any support at all, which makes it a lot harder to ask for help. Others may have some support, but they may have to seek mental health treatment on their own.
- They May Not Have Access to Resources
It can be difficult for some people to find resources because of their culture. In fact, they may want to find treatment with someone who understands their issues and needs. It can take a lot of time to find someone who is able to understand them and comes from a similar background.