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Why Is There a Major Lack of Mental Health Awareness in South Asian Communities Living in the U.S.?

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Why Is There a Major Lack of Mental Health Awareness in South Asian Communities Living in the U.S.?

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Karasz A, Gany F, Escobar J, et al. Mental Health and Stress Among South Asians. Journal of immigrant and minority health. 2016;21(Suppl 1):7-14. doi:10.1007/s10903-016-0501-4

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South Asians migrate to the US and it tends to become difficult to maintain both the cultural traditions and the American aspects.

Acculturation serves a significant role in cultural acceptability and determines quality care.

Acculturation is defined as: "The process of sharing and learning the cultural traits or social patterns of another group"

Migration leads to stress. Due to moving to a foreign land, immigrants find factors hard to adjust to. Finding affordable housing, safe neighborhoods, employment opportunities are all social determinants that affect South Asian immigrants.

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Males in South Asian families have to work to provide for entire family

Men don't show emotion and aren't allowed to express their feelings because they will look weak

They act strong for family and bottle their emotions leading to mental health issues

Alcohol consumption is highest among first and second generation Sikh male immigrants

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South Asian women are more affected by mental health disorders than man

Women have the "role" to stay at home and take care of children

Many get married at a young age when they don't want to, and most often are arranged marriages. This puts pressure on the women and gives them more responsibilities moving away from their families

"Other studies have demonstrated particularly high susceptibility among South Asian immigrant females to self-harm and certain mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, and eating-related psychopathology" (Gany 8).

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High expectations from parents leads to stress and pressure

"Poor self-esteem, domestic violence, relationships with parents and boyfriends, alcohol and drug use are other motivators for attempted and com-pleted suicide in young SA women" (Gany 9).

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Issues that arise as youths, carry on into adulthood

It is better to seek help immediately before condition worsens

At this age, individuals have more responsibilities (jobs, bills, family) causing more stress

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South Asian older adults, especially women, face a disproportionate burden of psychosocial stress in the community

Predictors of depression among South Asian older adults include abuse and neglect, social isolation, and acculturative stress.

Depression in older adults has been associated with slower recovery from physical illness, and can exacerbate their already increased risk for CVD and poor cancer outcomes

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Limited resources leads to lack of knowledge on mental illnesses

Many South Asians aren't aware of different mental illnesses and their causes/treatments

It isn't talked about often so it has stigma upon it

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South Asians look at symptoms as physical illnesses rather than in terms of mental health

Studies have shown that during routine check ups, South Asians who report their issues to physicians, their condition is left untreated because symptoms are shown as somatic rather than depressive

"Members of collectiv-ist societies are more likely to keep personal problems to themselves, and only seek professional mental health ser-vices as a last resort, as seeking outside help may be seen as a failure of the family to solve the problem" (Gany 9).

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Most common mental health disorder in South Asians

More common in women than men, especially young married women and elderly women

Contributory factors include older age, literacy, financial difficulties, gender roles, perceptions of illness, social isolation, and poor physical health were contributory factors

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Mental illness brings shame upon family

Looked at differently if diagnosed with a disorder

Negative beliefs created leading to discrimination towards those who have mental illnesses

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Disparities vary among different ethnic groups, age ranges, and genders

For example, South Asian women, specifically young married or elderly, are more affected by depression than man.

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Research has shown mental health linked to physical health

Mental health disorders causes individuals to have lack of interest in daily activities, worsening their physical well-being

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Not much access to health screenings, counselors, and mental health services

Location of population affected and social determinants play a role

Access to care and treatment still remains limited

Affordable and accessible services are essential, more commonly affects South Asians in low income immigrant groups

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Current Approaches to Services/ Treatment

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Current Approaches to Services/ Treatment

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Not many efforts made recently to improve mental health issues in South Asians

Holistic services provided to South Asian women, such as education, housing, and counseling, to promote independence and empowerment.

Workshops provided to support South Asian older adults dealing with social isolation and stressors that lead to risk for depression.

Support groups for elders and special needs to improve quality of life

Interventions are determined depending on age groups and ethnic groups. Information gets across differently depending on the target groups.