Mental health in a changing world: The impact of culture and diversity

The world is getting smaller

More people than ever before are living in a country other than the one that they were born or raised in, according to the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) (2007). The organization estimates that one in 35 people, or 3 percent of the global population, are international migrants.

"We find dramatically different languages, religions, family relationships and values, as well as views on health care and treatment wherever we go, including in our own respective countries."

Living outside the country one was born in may not always be due to personal choice. Some people may have been displaced for reasons beyond their control such as civil war or natural disasters. They now find themselves in a culture that they do not fully understand or that does not fully understand them. It can be difficult enough to cope with the challenges that these situations produce without the added complication of mental illness.

Your culture or mine?

Culture can influence many aspects of a person's life, and this can be reflected in their mental wellbeing. How symptoms of ill health manifest and how people deal with symptoms may vastly differ from one culture to another, with some viewing mental illness as a blessing rather than a curse.

Ellen Mercer, deputy executive officer at the WFMH, tells Patient Health International: "In some cultures, if you are talking about hearing voices, then that might be seen as that person having schizophrenia. However, in others it may mean that the person is hearing the voices of their ancestors and that this is considered a positive thing and not due to a mental illness."

She adds: "If a practitioner doesn't understand the culture of the patient, then it's very hard to treat them in a way that is really effective."

Cultural differences can affect how people perceive mental health care and providers, how they communicate and how they label their symptoms. It is therefore vital for those caring for people with mental health problems to have an understanding of the person's culture. This could dramatically influence how they can or should be treated.

Understanding cultural differences of the population we serve is an ongoing process that the System of Care (SOC) professionals and the community at large most be aware of and committed to. Families and Communities Together in Seminole, the mental health initiative of Seminole County, will be conducting presentations, trainings, and workshops in pursuit to help with this process.

Web Research by:

Felipe Sanchez-Alvarez MS, MBA
Cultural and Linguistic Competence Coordinator
Community Based Care of Central Florida
Families and Communities Together: System of Care for Children's Mental Health