Understanding Cultural Influences on Mental Health in the BIPOC Community
Mental health issues don’t discriminate. They impact people of all ages, races, and backgrounds. But that can often be where the similarities stop.
People in the BIPOC communities often have more struggles with mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, for a variety of reasons.
There are unique mental health challenges within this community. While that’s problematic, the greater issue is often how cultural influences and backgrounds can keep people of color from utilizing resources or getting the help they deserve.
Let’s take a closer look at cultural influences on mental health in the BIPOC community.
Struggling With Stigma
One of the biggest challenges people in the BIPOC community face is cultural stigma. External judgment from family members or your community can lead to internal judgment. You might have cultural beliefs that have kept generations of your family from seeking mental health help or even believe mental health issues are a real thing.
In some BIPOC communities, even today, mental health issues are viewed as a sign of weakness. You might worry that your family or community would see you as a failure, so you haven’t reached out for help.
Lack of Resources
Unfortunately, because many BIPOC cultures stigmatize mental health issues, those communities aren’t necessarily hot spots for mental health resources. A lack of access to care and resources can be another major problem for people in the community who are willing to seek help.
You might feel like you can’t have open discussions about your mental health with others in your community, and with few resources available locally, it’s often easier for these negative cultural influences to keep rolling from generation to generation.
Generation to Generation
If there’s a silver lining to the influence of culture on mental health in the BIPOC community, it’s that change can happen. However, it requires multiple intergenerational conversations.
If you have an older family member who has stigmatized mental health issues, consider asking them why they feel that way. Chances are, their own opinions were formed because of their parents or grandparents, and the cycle was never broken.
Their opinions could also be shaped by their experiences. Even if you disagree, it’s important for you, as a younger generation, to understand how those experiences were different from yours. They likely dealt with more prejudice and blatant racism and discrimination than you’ll ever have to face.
But that’s the point when it comes to mental health challenges in the BIPOC community. Everyone’s experiences are unique. If you can explain that in a tactful and respectful way to older generations, they might be willing to foster a supportive environment.
Sharing Your Story
In many BIPOC communities, sharing stories of overcoming challenges and adversity is a sign of strength. These stories can inspire people to remain resilient. They can be motivational tools and give people hope that their future will be better and brighter.
But, if you’ve had mental health struggles in the past and you’re starting to get some help, it’s essential to share your story, too. Yours is one of overcoming challenges and showing resilience. One of the best ways to break down negative cultural cycles is to stop the silence surrounding them.
There’s no denying your story is unique. Your culture and background are just as unique. Still, you might be worried about what those closest to you will think if you start talking about mental wellness. However, you can change the influence of your culture on future generations the same way you did generations before. This time, however, you can make a change in the positive direction by de-stigmatizing mental health issues.
If you’re struggling and need help along the way or simply need a safe space to open up, don’t hesitate to contact us about multicultural counseling today.
