Essay On Cultural Norms And Mental Health

In recent years, mental health has become more of a common topic of discussion, with an increase in awareness and recognition. This awareness has helped educate individuals about the various aspects of mental health and how mental illness affects a person's life. However, stigma and negativity surrounding mental illnesses still exist and continue to spread. In addition, stigma has also caused mental illness to be normalized, which causes individuals to feel invalidated, frustrated and alone in their struggle. With this, mental illnesses need to be destigmatized not normalized, in order to combat the mental health crisis.

Mental health is a state of psychological well-being. According to World Health Organization (WHO) mental health includes "subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependence, and self-actualization of one's intellectual and emotional potential, among others." (Organization, WHO 2001) However, cultural differences, race, ethnicity, personal background, subjective assessment, and socioeconomic status all affect how mental health is defined. This variation in definitions of mental health between different sects of our society further causes drift in methods of treatment, and may cause the burden of mental health to be greater on some cultures.

As explained in the article “The Importance of Appearance and the Costs of Conformity” by Deborah Rhode, how one is treated is often tied to cultural standards regarding appearance. “Many of the mental health difficulties associated with appearance are the product of widespread social stigma and discrimination. ”(Rhode 41). I felt this discrimination early on in my life and absorbed the view that my weight and size made me worth less than others. The interactions with my peers contributed to my developing mental state and perception of my body.

Mental illnesses have a high prevalence amongst the United States population. Each year, tens of millions of individuals suffer and are affected by mental illnesses (National Institute of Mental Health, 1). These illnesses range from anxiety disorder, eating disorders, major depression, personality disorder, and many more. Yet, with the existing knowledge, mental providers and professionals, and the DSM-5, mental illness remains a growing mystery to the public. Literature has played a significant role in how mental illnesses are defined, their characteristics, and the portrayal of those who are mentally ill to the public eye.

Throughout recent years, mental illness has become a belittled and “taboo” topic in a multitude of different societies. As a result, a majority of the world’s population isn’t exactly clear as to how one should approach those suffering from mental instability. Unlike physical illness, where an entire system of doctors and hospitals and medical research developed in order to cater to those who were physically ill, mental illnesses do not get nearly as much attention. Some would argue that a physical illness proves to be significantly more detrimental to one’s day to day life. However, observation of mentally ill individuals proves that mental illness can be as equally debilitating (you probably know someone in your life who has died from the

The increased awareness, understanding, and destigmatization of mental health since the 1950s has led to improved access to treatment, medicine, and support for those with mental illnesses, but further efforts are needed to eliminate systemic barriers. There has been a major increase in awareness, understanding, and destigmatization of mental health since the 1950s.

In this essay I would define what Culture and cultural competence is and how it 's been implemented in mental health services in New York and how understanding cultural dimension in this area is crucial. When it to define a culture we have to look areas such as the behaviors, morals and beliefs shared by a group of people, as well as an ethnic, racial, geographical, religious, gender, class or age group. Every person belongs to many cultural groups, so that each individual is a mixture of many influences. When we talk about Culture also includes the way they dress, language, religion, customs, food, laws, behaviors, behavioral standards or patterns, and beliefs for example religious wise. It plays an important part in how people of diverse backgrounds

The number of young people experiencing mental health difficulties is on the increase. Statistics show that more than one in two young people will present with some form of mental disorder by the time they reach the age of 24 (Cannon et al. 2013). Good mental health is fundamental to the ability of young people to remain healthy and to enjoy their lives. It enables them to develop and succeed, to participate in and contribute to society. Over the past decade mental health has come to the forefront of public consciousness.

Mental Illness in American Culture In America, mental illness is seriously neglected. It’s dealt with very poorly. Minority groups have the worst of it, as well as severely mentally ill individuals. The main reasons for this are lack of access, and lack of awareness, understanding, and empathy for mentally ill people.

“In the past, eating disorders were generally considered to be confined to young white females from middle-to-upper class families living in Western societies” (Caradas 112). Both studies exploit the false stereotypes associated with eating disorders and culture. Both parties believe that non Western cultures are being influenced by the “slim is beautiful” idea. Each view points out the false misconception that non Western cultures traditional ideas of being thick is related to health is protecting them from eating disorders. Studies prove all ethnicities have shown concern towards body shape and eating attitudes in recent years around the

Mental illness is anything but a new problem in America. The US has tried to “cure” mental illnesses since the nineteenth century. Early in the nineteenth century, America opened asylums for people suffering from epilepsy, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, alcoholism, etc. As time passed, psychiatrists became discontent with being caretakers, resulting in forced sterilization. Specific demographics such as immigrants, people of color, the poor, and unmarried mothers were targeted (“America’s Long-Suffering Mental Health System”).

However, mental health can be causes by many different factors, for instance unemployment or a lower living standard (Nocon & Owen, 2006). Moreover, the lifestyle of individuals, e.g. whether they smoke, drink alcohol, are stressed, their diet and amount of physical activity all contribute on their health statuses, and can be especially related to cardiovascular diseases or diabetes (Nocon & Owen, 2006). Nevertheless, these risk factors can all be addressed and

Thousands of American citizens suffer from one or more mental disorders, and unfortunately are ignored. These mental disorders are a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. In a country where mental illness is common, many suffering still feel as though they can not reach out for support. In the United States, there is a negative stigma around seeking help for the mentally ill, as it has always been easier to obtain physical health care, over mental health care. Treating the mental health crisis in America results in a decrease in unemployment, decline in substance abuse, and lowers the rate of incarceration.

The concept of health is influenced by a wide range of complex factors, including biological, psychological, social, cultural, economic, and spiritual ones. In addition to their biological and psychological components, health and mental illness have concurrent social dimensions and

Why do the people of today still associate stigma, shame and blame with mental health issues? Mental health issues are extremely and widely misunderstood. Despite the fact one in four people are likely to experience some kind of mental health problem a year in the United Kingdom. “Mental health is a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being and it affects how we feel, think and act. It also helps to determine how we handle situations such as stress, how we relate to others and how we make decisions.