A silent mental health crisis exists among South Asian communities. Numerous studies have shown that South Asian immigrants to Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom have high rates of mental health disorders, sometimes higher than their peers. Some of the reasons include intergenerational conflicts or the stress of adjusting to Western society.

But mental health is deeply stigmatized in many South Asian communities, and the symptoms are often trivialized. To counter this, South Asian families need to be better informed about the risk factors that can lead to mental health problems. With this knowledge, they can identify some of the early signs of mental health problems.

As a doctoral candidate in Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Windsor, some of my current research focuses on adapting cognitive assessment methods to people who speak Urdu or Hindi. I also started @Braincoach, an Instagram feed to share my science knowledge.

Riding on different worlds

Children of South Asian immigrants may face challenges associated with the pressure of straddling two different worlds. While trying to fit into a Western society that prides itself on individual expression, they may find themselves navigating a home culture where personal boundaries are blurred and personal identity is determined by the validation of their family and their community.

The collectivist nature of South Asian culture can be heartwarming and uplifting with close family ties and a sense of connection to something bigger than yourself. However, in South Asian families, individuals may also feel pressure to sacrifice their personal desires for the expectations of their family.

The pursuit of goals that diverge from family and community expectations is seen as selfish. This leads to increased levels of psychological stress and interference with the identity formation process, especially when a person feels a stronger connection to mainstream Western culture.

Struggles over career or dating

Two important causes of family conflict arise when South Asian adolescents and young adults wish to start dating or pursue careers deemed unacceptable by parents. This creates an internal struggle among South Asians who have been socialized to believe that family loyalty is of the utmost importance.

Some may still follow up on their desires in secret, but live in constant fear of being discovered. Others may bow to the expectations expected of them, but at the cost of a loss of their self-esteem, of their self-concept. In both scenarios, mental health and resilience are compromised in the long run.

When young South Asian adults pursue a career that their family approves of instead of a career that they find personally fulfilling, they can feel proud of upholding family expectations. But how long does this pride last?

Research has repeatedly shown that a fulfilling career leads to better life satisfaction and, therefore, less psychological problems. This choice is snatched away from many South Asian immigrant children who end up feeling stuck in careers they don’t find meaningful, which ultimately takes a toll on their mental well-being and relationships.

When it comes to dating, the cultural expectations of South Asian families can conflict with Western norms. For many young people, entering into a relationship before marriage is not recommended. As a result, many South Asian youth keep their relationships hidden due to internalized shame and fear of being rejected by their families.

This is another reason for mental health issues like depression and anxiety, especially in women who may feel like they are endangering family honor by dating.

Culturally relevant therapy needed

South Asians seeking psychological services often feel misunderstood by health care providers and are subsequently discouraged from seeking further help. Traditional psychotherapy was based on standardized versions of western middle-class families. These therapeutic approaches are difficult to translate across languages ​​and cultures without appropriate modification.

This means that many therapists trained in the West may find it difficult to understand the cultural nuances deeply rooted in South Asian communities.

There is a strong need for culturally healthy therapy.

To encourage culturally appropriate therapy, mental health professionals should actively strive to understand their client’s cultural background and belief system through ongoing education and consultation with colleagues in a clinic. similar cultural background.

It is also important for South Asian youth and families to discuss their mental health issues and learn ways to improve them. One way to do this is to ask mental health experts to organize community workshops specifically for South Asian communities. This could lead to greater awareness of the diversity of mental health issues and knowledge of how to seek help and resources within their communities.