Culturally Competent Care
Culturally competent care is essential for effective mental health treatment. I am proud to be a Vancouver-based Asian Therapist providing culturally adapted counselling. Mental health is a universal concern, yet cultural nuances significantly shape our understanding, approach, and response to mental health issues.
From my practice, I noticed:
Asians are hardworking, driven, goal and family-oriented, have high expectations for themselves, are likely to be harsh towards themselves, and have anxiety (over body shape, peer pressure).
Breaking the Stigma
The Asian population usually has limited help-seeking behaviours and barriers related to culturally incongruent therapists (for example, Eurocentric frameworks, limited appreciation of cultural, and religious context, monolithic racial group of therapists, limited capacity to reflect racially, ethnic, spiritual and linguistic diversity to match the community) and stigma about mental health.
They have not talked much about emotional issues since they were little. They dislike reaching out for help with mental health problems because mental illness usually indicates a weakness in one’s character. Meanwhile, withstanding hardship and suffering was viewed as a virtue.
The Cultural Context
Traditional Asian values often emphasize family honour, collectivism, and resilience. While these values can provide a strong support system, they can also contribute to the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Discussing personal struggles may be seen as bringing shame to the family, leading to silence.
The Role of Family
Family is at the heart of Asian culture. Family dynamics can both support and hinder mental health. It will highlight the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, even within a close-knit family structure.
Building Community Support
Lee et al. (2021) stated that Asian Americans tend to consider mental health problems as a condition that can be overcome by strong will or effort instead of a disorder that requires professional care.
Unless the situation gets worse, they do not ask for help. It might be developed to a severe level. It will be great if they can attend to more self-care and self-compassion and value their mental health like physical health. Sharing personal stories and experiences can play a crucial role in normalizing mental health discussions within the community.
Lee, M., Bhimla, A., Lu, W., & Ma, G. X. (2021). Correlates of mental health treatment receipt among Asian Americans with perceived mental health problems. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 48(2), 199–212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-020-09704- 6
About the Author:
I am a licensed therapist specializing in Asian mental health. With a deep understanding of cultural nuances and a commitment to holistic care, I provide compassionate and culturally sensitive therapy to individuals and families in the Asian community.
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