South Asian Mental Health

Furthermore, the rate of self-harm is another contributing factor to the stigma towards mental health in the asian community. This phenomenon is common amongst women of south-asian origin. In the article “Self-harm in the UK: Differences between South Asians and Whites in rates, characteristics, provision of service, and repetition.” studies found that south asian women age 16-24 are likely to self harm themselves than white women from the same age category. However, the rate of self-harm were lower in men than women. This is interesting to observe since, due to the traditional family structure, women are often at home which prevents them from having needed exposed to others outside their immediate friends and family. However, men on the other hand have the needed interpersonal interactions with others due to the traditional roles that they play in the family structure. The study also concluded that women are less likely to report any symptoms of depressions to others or accept …show more content…
Despite, having been victims of showing self-harm these women are refusing to utilize the resources provided to them. Once, again the strict family structure comes into play where the rigidity and the lack of freedom prevents expression and leads to self-harm. A solution to this stigma against mental health would have to be interpersonal solution approach which are clearly societally and culturally appropriate. However, traditions values clash as more and more women are joining the workforce and redefining gender roles in asian households. This change can be viewed in households that have adapted to the dominant culture. In addition, the institution of “sanskar” constantly strengths the stigma against mental health in the asian community. “Sanskar” is the honor system or scale used to evaluate or describe an individual’s upbringing. In particular, South-Asian communities used this as