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Australia is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world. With a population of over 26 million, 30% of Australians were born overseas, and nearly half have at least one parent born abroad. Meanwhile, migration is the main driver of Australia’s population growth, contributing to about 60% of our annual growth. This rich cultural and linguistic diversity is what makes Australia such a unique and exciting place to live.
As a nation, we celebrate our diversity. It is an influence that we see each day on our television screens, in our supermarkets, on our streets, and in the workplace. On an individual level, culture goes beyond how a person communicates, what they eat, and what they wear; it transcends into their beliefs, values, and social norms, shaping how they view and interact with the world
Given Australia’s diverse population, it is important that we consider the unique cultural factors that play a big role in the way that we assess and address mental health issues. By understanding different cultural influences, mental health professionals can take a tailored, sensitive approach that increases impact and the effectiveness of mental health care.
The first step towards providing tailored mental health care is to address the impact of culture. Our culture, our upbringing, and our family can all play an important role in shaping our values, our thoughts, and our capacity to express and share emotions. The way that we think about ourselves and the way that we interact with others can affect our interpersonal relationships.
Diverse social cultures mean that it is impossible to provide a one-size-fits-all solution – even when the outward symptoms may appear similar. Understanding the impact of culture is an important – yet often overlooked – first step in providing tailored support for mental health issues.
How we see ourselves and how we see others is shaped by cultural context. Our unique perception of the world and of our surroundings is shaped by our relationships, social circles, and our community engagements.
A global study supervised by Maja Becker found that self-image and our self-esteem is based largely on the dominant values of our culture. For example, in collectivist cultures like in East Asia, self-worth is often tied to group harmony and fulfilling family expectations. In contrast, individualistic cultures like in Australia or the US value independence and personal achievement more. Cultural differences affect one’s internal dialogue, self-worth, sense of shame and need for validation – all of which are essential for a therapist to understand when treating their client’s mental health issues.
Treating two individuals, from two different cultures, for the same mental health condition can require vastly different approaches.
While we would like to think that many of the taboos and stigmas that exist around mental health are falling away, this would be too optimistic. Shame and stigma are still overwhelmingly present around the topic of mental health in some cultures.
These cultural taboos and stigmas influence the individual’s ability to talk to family, friends, and identify with the negative mental feelings that they may have. Therapists working with such individuals need to be aware of cultural stigmas, understand and address their reluctance or fear towards seeking help, and create safe spaces where they can meaningfully engage without fear of judgement.
Religion and spiritual beliefs play a significant role in mental health. According to research by Koenig et. al. (2012), spirituality can be associated with both negative and positive influences on mental health.
The research based on decades of study shows a complex relationship between religious or spiritual involvement and mental health. While there was an association with positive mental health outcomes, it also found that people who had low levels of religious engagement while growing up in religious environments may experience feelings of isolation, potentially leading to higher levels of depression. Meanwhile, those with extreme or rigid religious practices may experience feelings of guilt and spiritual struggles, resulting in negative mental health outcomes.
It is, of course, far too simplistic to assume that religion and spiritual belief has a purely positive or negative impact on mental health. It is, however, important to understand how religion and beliefs can have a notable impact on the way that we address mental health.
Language and communication are two critical considerations when assessing mental health issues. An individual’s ability to describe and articulate symptoms is a key factor in finding appropriate mental health treatment. Where language and communication become a barrier, individuals are less likely to accurately express their thoughts and emotions, and mental health professionals are less likely to understand their symptoms and circumstances.
For non-native speakers or individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, accessing mental health care in their own language is vital. Language isn’t only important for helping mental health professionals to understand the individual, it is also essential in building trust and creating an engaging treatment process.
The importance of language and communication as a cultural consideration in mental health support flows into the support network of the individual. Ensuring that the patient and their support network understand the mental health condition, the treatment plan, and can help to carry out the treatment plan is crucial for effective management.
The role of socioeconomic factors and the link between social and economic inequalities cannot be overstated. A study by Macintyre et. al. “What Has Economics Got to Do with It? The Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Mental Health and the Case for Collective Action” revealed the social gradient in mental health whereby higher levels of income inequality were directly linked to higher prevalence of mental illness. For culturally diverse populations, these challenges are often compounded by additional barriers such as language, discrimination, and legal status.
Understanding and addressing the socioeconomic factors at play in assessing mental health issues between different cultures is essential. An approach that considers economic disparities can lead to a more equitable and effective mental health treatment program across culturally diverse groups.
Community support and community acceptance play a pivotal role in fostering mental well-being. Community support and acceptance promotes understanding, acceptance, and shared responsibility in addressing and treating mental health issues.
Cultures that take a collective approach to supporting mental health play a key role in reducing stigma, providing support, and facilitating access to care. At the same time, collectivist cultures that stigmatise mental health could apply pressure to individuals and exacerbate mental health issues. Understanding the nuances of community and the dynamics of support and expression, are essential in assessing mental health across different cultures. Mental health professionals must understand how these community ties can influence the wellbeing of the patient, as well as how the attitudes of the community toward mental health can impact the efficacy of the treatment.
For mental health professionals to provide appropriate support, they must factor in the unique cultural considerations at play. This means taking the time to understand each individual’s cultural background, community dynamics, and belief systems, in order to provide more effective treatment methods that align with the needs of the individual and their unique cultural values.
At New Vision Psychology, we pride ourselves on delivering culturally competent therapy. We offer psychological services in 10+ languages to meet the needs of Australia’s diverse population. Our focus on cultural competency enhances the therapeutic experience, reduces barriers to access, and improves mental health outcomes. It allows us to build trust with our clients and deliver care that resonates deeply with their personal and cultural values.
New Vision Psychology can help with 5 convenient locations across Sydney.
Explore our locations