There is some form of the stigma associated with mental illness among Asian Americans that have harmful effects on the patients. This is defined as negative stereotypes of mental illness in the public sphere that encourages an environment of discrimination. Mental illness in Asian culture is viewed in spiritual and religious context, often attributed to possession by evil spirits or being affected by the work of witchcraft. The stigma is deeply ingrained in the society that affects seeking proper medical services or complaining of its symptoms ( Fogel & Ford, 2005) . Patients may be forbidden from the public or lose an opportunity to associate with community members if they express to have a mental illness. This essay describes the influence of cultural values on the perception of mental illness and stigmatizing attitudes of individuals from different cultural groups. It examines the beliefs regarding mental illness in the Asian American population
The patient is an Asian American youth who are suffering from depression but has not expressed it to anyone. Asian Americans represent one of the fastest growing population groups with diversified and rich mixtures of cultures and beliefs that differ from other groups. Groups that make up Asian American communities have the same opinions and experiences regarding mental health despite representing vastly different backgrounds ( Kurasaki, Okazaki & Sue, 2002) . Individuals in this cultural group are less likely to utilize mental health services or seek therapy despite experiencing symptoms due to cultural expectations placed on them. Additionally, they may be unwilling to find therapeutic care for signs of mental illness due to a belief that if reflect poorly on their families, instead opting to seek attention for physical symptoms such as migraines.
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Asian Americans coming as immigrants or refugees are at higher risk of depression due to trauma from past experiences. Some individuals come from countries where the terms of mental health do not exist or where access to mental health care is not available. However, even though some may experience symptoms of mental disorders in the United States, they are less likely to seek mental health help from western health professionals ( Kurasaki, Okazaki & Sue, 2002) .
Stigma towards mental health is a significant issue that felt deeply embedded in the Asian American community. It is considered a taboo to discuss mental health concerns in a variety of Asian American communities ( Fogel & Ford, 2005) . In this regard, the city often dismisses, denies or neglects any symptoms of mental illness. Those who seen therapy for mental illness have to do it in secret to avoid being discharged from the culture. It is considered shameful to go about seeking help or talking to someone regarding mental illness in the Asian American community due to cultural beliefs. Seeking mental health is thus stigmatized in this culture since the idea that someone can be hampered by something that cannot be seen is unacceptable in Asian cultures. In most cases, the elderly Asian Americans consider it a shame to experience any such symptoms
The conflict arises from topics as cultural stigma, language barrier and lack of understanding of mental health resources, since over 50 percent of Asian Americans are born in a different country ( Fogel & Ford, 2005) . The language barrier makes it difficult for Asian Americans to access mental health service since western therapeutic requires a verbal explanation of the problem. At the same time, the patients may have problems balancing between traditional treatment methods and treatments. For example, conflict arises in whether to take antidepressants or use traditional remedies such as spiritual healing. Healthcare providers have to understand the cultural beliefs held towards mental illness and help individuals accordingly.
Asian Americans families are described as family households where they live in nuclear households. As such, family members take a precedence in their lives, health and wellbeing. However, the stigmatization of mental health among Asian culture is believed to reflect poorly on one’s family lineage such that one will experience the condition if he comes from a family with a history of mental illnesses. Since Asian culture is a collective society, family members associated with mental illness feel guilty and shameful and may often blame themselves. Studies have shown that Asian Americans underutilize therapeutic services for mental illnesses due to shame they will bring on themselves and their families ( Kurasaki, Okazaki & Sue, 2002) .
The Asian American culture shapes the expression and recognition of psychiatric problems among individuals, who do not make a distinction between the mind and body. This is the reason why Asians deny the experience and expression of emotions and can only express it through the body. The physical appearance of mental illness is accepted in this culture as opposed to the emotional expression of the condition, which is why Asian Americans suppress or repress any affective symptoms of mental illness ( Tung, 2011). In this regard, patients receive more acceptance in the community when complaining about physiological traits as opposed to psychological issues.
Asian American cultures often link mental illness to supernatural causes such as a punishment by God on ancestors for past bad behavior. Some may associate mental illness with possession of evil spirits due to inappropriate allocation of an ancestor’s tomb. The way Asian Americans culture perceive mental conditions in individuals has led to stigmatizing representation of the disease, which delays treatment and recovery plans. The stigma associated with mental illness in Asian culture negatively affects individuals with the condition as well as their families ( Fogel & Ford, 2005) .
Due to these beliefs regarding causes of mental illness, most individuals from the Asian culture rely on themselves or family members to provide therapy for the problem or use spiritual healers to cast out demons rather than seeking western medical attention. In case use of spiritual healers do not work, most Asian families find help from herbalists, acupuncturists or primary care physicians but will not seek help from mental health care professionals ( Tung, 2011). . Therefore, while they do not entirely rely on traditional remedies, individual with a mental disorder will not seek therapeutic services for the condition, going under the disguise of physical pain. However, this affects effective treatment as there are high risks of misdiagnosis. This stigmatization can be reduced by fighting to normalize mental health treatment among the Asian
Some of the interview questions asked during the interview include the following:
Can you briefly tell us about your cultural group?
What are the existing beliefs about mental health illness in the culture?
What are the health practices carried out to maintain health?
What activities are undertaken to keep people healthy in the community?
Do you use of traditional healers and western health professionals?
Which remedies do you currently used to treat the condition?
Is there an availability of family support?
Are there conflicts between client’s traditional medications and regimen prescribed by a physician?
How do you solve these conflicts?
Are there ethical problems associated with mental illness?
References
Fogel, J., & Ford, D. E. (2005). Stigma beliefs of Asian Americans with depression in an internet sample. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry , 50 (8), 470-478.
Kurasaki, K., Okazaki, S., & Sue, S. (Eds.). (2002). Asian American mental health: Assessment theories and methods . Springer Science & Business Media.
Tung, W. C. (2011). Cultural barriers to mental health services among Asian Americans. Home Health Care Management & Practice , 23 (4), 303-305.
