The Impact of Culture on Mental Health – A Deep Dive into Indian and American Contexts

Why must psychological practices be rooted in culture/tradition?

• Culture is a part of the historical process. Hence culture should form an integral part of psychological discourse.
• Reality is socially shared, linguistically(symbolically) coded, and culturally practiced. Therefore, knowledge must be socially constructed leading to plurality in science.
• Culturally rooted practices establish a strong therapeutic rapport between mental health professionals and clients. Clients are more likely to trust and engage with practitioners who understand their cultural background.
• Ethical practice in mental health requires understanding and respecting the cultural context in which services are provided. This includes avoiding cultural biases, and stereotypes, and promoting culturally competent care.
• Culturally rooted practices often involve collaboration with community members, elders, and traditional healers. This collaborative approach builds bridges between modern mental health care and traditional healing systems.

The Impact of Culture on Mental Health: A Deep Dive into Indian and American Contexts.

Interconnection between mind and body:

The idea of a connection between the mind and body is an important part of Indian belief. This means that mental health problems are often seen as physical problems, as well as emotional ones. This is also the view of traditional Indian medicine like Ayurveda, which sees mental health as a central part of overall well-being. In the United States, there is a greater emphasis on the separation of the mind and body. This means that mental health problems are often seen as purely psychological problems, and they may not be taken as seriously as physical health problems.

Culture influences a person’s mental health:

By reinforcing the importance of group harmony, social interdependence and joint responsibility, a collectivist culture may play an important role in a person’s mental health. In Indian cultures, individuals prioritize the needs and well-being of the community over their desires, which can have both positive and negative implications for mental health. However, individuals’ autonomy and expression of themselves can be restricted by the pressure on conformity with society’s standards and roles, which may lead to intra-conflict and a struggle for identity. Moreover, the stigma surrounding mental health issues in some collectivist societies can deter individuals from seeking professional help, resulting in untreated mental health challenges.

People are more likely to think of themselves as individuals, with their separate minds, feelings, and experiences, within the U.S. This can lead to a greater emphasis on personal responsibility for mental health problems, as well as a greater willingness to seek professional help.

Mental health treatment is often seen as a last resort:

Mental health care is often seen as a last resort in India. This means that people often wait until their mental health problems become severe before seeking help. This can make it more difficult to treat the mental health problem and lead to other problems, such as job loss or relationship problems.

Mental health is a family matter:

In India, mental health is often seen as a family matter, rather than an individual one. This means that families often take responsibility for helping a family member who is struggling with mental health problems. There could be positive and negative sides to it. On one hand, it can mean that families are more likely to support a family member struggling with mental health problems. On the other hand, it can also mean that families may be reluctant to seek professional help for mental health problems, as they may feel that they can handle it on their own. Historically, in the United States mental health has been viewed as a personal or individual issue, and families have often been expected to handle it on their own. However, in recent years, there has been a growing recognition that mental health is also a family issue and that families can play a significant role in supporting and helping those with mental health problems.

Mental health problems are often seen as a sign of weakness:

In India, mental health problems are often seen as a sign of weakness. This belief can make it difficult for people to seek help for mental health problems, as they may fear being judged or stigmatized. This belief is slowly changing, but it is still a significant barrier to seeking help for mental health problems in India. In the United States, mental health stigma is often rooted in ignorance and fear. Many people simply do not understand mental health problems, and they may fear that people with mental health problems are dangerous or unpredictable. This can make it difficult for people to seek help for mental health problems, as they may fear being judged or discriminated against.