Diversity and its Importance in Mental Health
Traditional cultural practices and beliefs can be a source of strength, but for some individuals, they can also cause distress. Culture influences mental health in various ways – it can provide people with a sense of community and belonging, but it may also incite conflict and stigma surrounding mental health difficulties.
Diverse cultural communities often have specific social norms that impact the perception of mental and physical health. A person’s culture may define their lifestyle and everyday experiences in their family life. Depending on a person’s ethnicity, religion, or even race, there may be specific social norms and expectations surrounding mental health. For instance, talking openly about your emotional struggles is discouraged and perceived as a sign of weakness in some cultures, which can prevent people from seeking help. As cultures are diverse, there is a range of different perceptions surrounding mental health.
At Unique Community Services, we help individuals break free from stigmas and improve their well-being while respecting cultures, boundaries and preferences.
Lack of Diversity in Mental Health
Mental health specialist care in the UK is based on Western research and medicine, which is focused on empirical evidence. Many health service providers follow the medical model, which places emphasis on biological or physiological aspects of mental illness. Traditional mental health facilities may overlook the impact of culture on mental health. Therefore, it fails to accommodate members of culturally diverse communities where seeking professional help is discouraged.
Furthermore, research by the World Health Organization has shown that members of different cultures experience different symptoms of mental distress. For instance, anxiety in Western communities is often expressed as fear and dread, whereas physical symptoms (such as dizziness, increased heart rate, and nausea) are more common in Eastern cultures.
Cultural Awareness When Treating Mental Health Issues
Cultural competency in mental health services means that providers effectively interact with individuals of diverse backgrounds by taking their unique needs, beliefs, and behaviours into consideration. To put it simply, cultural awareness in mental health treatment plans requires providers to acknowledge the impact of race, ethnicity, and culture on mental well-being and to ensure they provide tailored support.
In addition to that, culturally competent care providers have to address the additional stigmas that people face in relation to mental health challenges. Racism and discrimination have an enormous impact on mental health and can lead to anxiety, depression, and many other challenges. It’s vital for care providers to break down stigmas, fight against racism and discrimination, and educate themselves on how to best support individuals.
Tailoring Mental Health Treatment to Diverse Populations
The cultural stigma surrounding mental health challenges can cause shame and discourage people from seeking professional help. Mental health providers should recognise the effects of stigma and raise awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion.
Cultural awareness is essential for delivering high-standard, compassionate mental health support. Understanding and respecting different cultural values is the first step towards adequate diagnosis and treatment. In addition to that, culturally sensitive support increases people’s trust in mental health care providers, and every person deserves to be treated with respect.
Strategies for Embracing Diversity in Mental Health
As mental health experts, we must embrace diversity and create a safe environment where members of marginalised communities can freely discuss their struggles. Raising awareness about different cultural experiences is essential to delivering quality support. Everyone deserves access to culturally sensitive health care.
Below is a list of the main steps towards providing an inclusive environment in mental health care services.
Providing Culturally Sensitive Mental Health Services and Resources
Culturally sensitive mental health resources and services are tailored in accordance with the individual’s cultural preferences. In order to provide culturally sensitive care, clinicians need to undergo cultural diversity training. A culturally sensitive approach to mental health support includes the following elements:
- Providing resources and information in a person’s native or preferred language
- Compassionate, personalised support
- Acknowledging and challenging racism and discrimination within the healthcare system
- Respecting an individual’s beliefs, culture and religion
Increasing Diversity in Mental Health Care and Research
Increased levels of diversity in mental health research and care services lead to improved access to healthcare and better outcomes. The ongoing disparities in representation and outcomes in this sector indicate the need for increased diversity. Culturally sensitive research familiarises professionals with the cultural context of mental well-being.
Engaging with Diverse Communities and Their Unique Mental Health Needs
It is essential for experts to acknowledge the ways in which different cultures perceive emotional struggles. For instance, community bonds and family relations are significantly strong in some cultural contexts. Therefore, community and family bonds can play a crucial role in handling mental health challenges.
Including cultural preferences in support plans is an important part of providing person-centred healthcare. For this purpose, clinicians and healthcare providers need to take the following steps:
- Collaborating with culturally diverse organisations
- Attending specific cultural events or visiting places of worship
- Working closely with groups and networks related to different communities
- Planning unique events according to a person’s cultural preferences
- Respecting the preferences of each individual
Addressing Social Discrimination
Social discrimination has a detrimental effect on mental health, and we must advocate for human rights and fight for the safety of each human on earth. Inclusive policies, laws, and practices prevent discrimination and create a welcoming environment where everyone can access quality support. Healthcare providers must tackle racism and discrimination in order to provide a fairer world where everyone is accepted.
Unique Community Services Embraces Diversity and Equality in Social and Health Care
At Unique Community Services, we prioritise diversity and equality. Our dedicated clinicians understand how racism and discrimination impact people’s well-being, and actively take steps to create a more inclusive society. Our teams offer reliable resources in your native language and tackle the cultural circumstances related to your health challenges.
Our clinicians create a tailored care plan focusing on your human rights and personal boundaries. We work closely with the whole family to provide person-centred care in your own home, allowing you to stay close to your loved ones.
If you are looking for a quality home care provider for yourself or a loved one with mental health struggles, Unique Community Services is the right place for you. We offer high-standard, CQC-regulated support to children and adults, with offices in Bristol and Manchester.
Contact us now, and we will create a personalised care plan catering to your needs.
