How Culture and Society Affect Mental Health Care Seeking

Culture and society in which one grows up play a crucial role in shaping the individual’s behaviour, values and beliefs. One’s environment can also influence mental health care seeking behaviour. The way one perceives mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder can be impacted by the culture that an individual is a part of.

While some cultures may promote mental health awareness, in other cultures, there might still be mental health stigma related to mental health care seeking.

Introduction

Culture can be understood as a common set of beliefs, values and norms that are followed in a social group. Culture might influence several choices such as professional inclination, religious beliefs, and preference for certain sports.

Understanding Mental Health Care Seeking

Mental health disorders are a major cause of health and financial concerns globally. Researches are done to develop evidence-based strategies for the management of mental illnesses. The use of mental health services is dependent upon the individuals who reach out for mental health assistance. Thus, mental health care seeking becomes important to make the most of the mental health assistance offered.

What Does It Mean to Seek Mental Health Care?

• Acknowledgement and acceptance of the individual’s concerns
• Consultation with mental health professionals
• Openness towards working on the concerns
• Minimisation of mental health stigma associated with seeking help
• Increased mental health awareness encouraging people to reach out for support

Why It's Crucial to Seek Mental Health Care

• It allows one to reduce signs of psychological distress
• It gives an individual an opportunity to improve well-being
• One can lead a healthier life through mental health care

Cultural Barriers to Mental Health Care Seeking

As a consequence of the beliefs that have been there for decades, some people might experience barriers towards seeking mental health support. Cultures can also influence attitude towards problem-solving and thereby, if a mental health concern arises, that attitude can either help or harm one’s treatment plan.

Stigma and Shame in Mental Health

Mental health stigma can be explained as the negative beliefs and attitudes regarding seeking support for mental health concerns. Stigma and shame associated with mental health can also lead to labelling and discrimination.

Beliefs Around Mental Illness

Some beliefs around mental illness that can increase structural stigma include:

• Mental health concerns are just excuses not to work
• Mental illness is a false concept since concerns are not visible
• Mental health disorders are a sign of weakness

Traditional vs. Modern Healing Practices

The way mental health support is offered can vary based on traditional and modern healing practices. The traditional healing practices might involve a shaman, a priest, etc, who uses methods such as prayer and herbal medicine for treatment. The modern healing practices are more from a scientific lens. Psychologists and psychiatrists are the professionals who offer mental health support from a modern lens.

Societal Influences on Mental Health Care Seeking

As one grows up in a society with certain specific values, these values can also influence how one perceives mental health as a concept and mental health care seeking.

Societal Stigma and Discrimination

Society and mental health stigma can be observed in the following ways:

• Negative perception regarding seeking mental health support
• Considering mental illness as a sign of weakness
• Dismissing mental health disorders as if they do not exist only
• Labelling individuals with mental health disorders
• Treating those with mental health disorders in a negative way

Economic and Structural Barriers

Due to economic and structural barriers, one may be unable to seek proper mental health support. These barriers can be overcome through the following ways:

• Higher mental health awareness
• Pro-bono and sliding scale options
• Utilising government facilities

Media’s Role in Shaping Mental Health Perceptions

The media has access to reaching the masses. The way mental illnesses are depicted in movies, shows, etc, can also influence people’s thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

Recently, the renowned celebrity Deepika Padukone has been appointed as the mental health ambassador by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This is a positive step towards increasing mental health awareness amongst the public.

How to Overcome Cultural and Societal Barriers to Mental Health Care Seeking

To help society advance towards better health and well-being, it becomes essential to overcome cultural and societal barriers to mental health care. There are a plethora of ways through which this can be done.

Education and Awareness Campaigns

Campaigns can be conducted on diverse topics by NGOs, schools, colleges, etc. Some helpful topics these awareness campaigns can include:

1. Understanding how a psychologist is different from a psychiatrist
2. Different types of mental health disorders and their possible treatment
3. Understanding individual and family counselling sessions

Support Systems and Community Involvement

Support groups, community discussions and honest conversations are some ways to reach the masses. These also enable honest and open conversations about mental health giving people a chance to get their doubts cleared. Mental health professionals and experts can facilitate these sessions to ensure scientific facts are being discussed and maladaptive thoughts are not being encouraged.

The Impact of Seeking Mental Health Care

Seeking mental health care is a step towards self-care. With the help of the right mental health care partner, one can gradually observe positive changes in wellness.

Benefits of Seeking Help

1. Improving quality of life
2. Increasing an individual's productivity
3. Positive impact on interpersonal relations

How Early Intervention Leads to Better Outcomes

• Early assessment and diagnosis for effective treatment planning
• Minimising the chances of severe mental health concerns
• Faster recovery as one finds the right support on time
• Prevention of co-occurring mental health disorders
• Reducing the chances of the long-term impact of mental illness

Conclusion

At Athena OKAS, we believe in creating mental health awareness through expert guidance. Reaching out for mental health support can at times be very difficult. This is a mental health center specially to cater to women’s mental health needs. Our team comprises psychiatrists and psychologists who use modern evidence-based techniques for treatment planning.

In case you or a loved one wants to learn more about professional mental health support, then connect with us today by calling us at +91 9289730444.

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