Cultural taboos and stigma affect mental health by creating feelings of shame that discourage individuals from disclosing their struggles or seeking help, thereby posing a barrier to recovery and worsening their overall mental well-being.

For instance, some Asian cultures view mental illness as a sign of weakness and lack of self-control. Consequently, a native battling depression may rather hide in isolation than cry out for help. Sadly, isolation is never the answer. In short, it is the bane of mental health. The last thing you need when you feel low is to self-isolate.

But cultural stigma does not end with the patient. Mental health professionals also play a significant role, as a practitioner’s inability to discern cultural nuances may limit their effectiveness.

Whether you or your loved one is silently battling a mental health challenge, let's talk about how you can break free from the stigma and get the help you need.

Key Ways Culture Affects Mental Health

Cultural stigma impacts mental health by causing:

Care Avoidance

When your culture views mental illness as a sign of weakness, you tend to avoid seeking help because you don't want to be called weak. You might fear your family and friends will judge and alienate you when they discover you’ve been visiting a therapist, so you stay back. However, there's only one person who's worse off at the end of the day; mental illness that's left untreated may worsen.

Feelings of Self-Blame

Cultural beliefs can be so pervasive. When everyone around you believes mental illness is a sign of weakness, it can shape your mindset and you may feel shame and low self-esteem when you develop symptoms. Now you believe you're indeed weak. But because an ethnic group holds an unproven belief doesn't make it true. Stigma is nothing but a social construct.

Social Isolation

Culture can force people with poor mental health to withdraw socially due to fear of judgment and discrimination. Ironically, isolation further cripples mental wellbeing, leading to a vicious cycle. Research shows that social connection is key to good mental health. That’s because humans are social creatures. We are better together.

Disbelief and Dismissal

Have you ever described your mental health condition to a doctor, only to be dismissed with "That’s just life. Everyone feels that way sometimes" or "You’re overthinking it"?

Some cultures do not believe mental illness like depression is real, leading to disbelief and dismissal. This is a terrible impact of culture on mental health, as it prevents patients from getting the care and empathy they need.

Discrimination by Providers

In some cultures, traditional gender roles and cultural norms require men to be stoic, strong, and in control of their emotions. Mental illness, which is often erroneously perceived as a sign of emotional weakness, can be particularly stigmatizing for men in such societies. Providers in such communities may pay less attention to a male patient complaining of depression, hampering their quality of care. Beyond gender differences, this discrimination is also common among racial minority groups.

Cultural stigma also causes some people with certain mental disorders to be seen as unstable and dangerous, leading to discrimination and alienation.

Regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race, we are all human first, and everyone deserves to be heard and given the support they need.

Thankfully, wellness providers of color like Bloom Baby Bloom and Dele Ka are making it easier to experience self-liberating therapy and holistic healing right from the comfort of your home. Now, you don’t have to walk into a therapist’s office and risk the embarrassment of being seen by your peers.

If cultural stigma has prevented you from seeking help, now you can break free without fear of judgment.

Cultural Taboos and Misconceptions Surrounding Mental Illness

Below are some examples of cultural taboos and beliefs about mental illness:

Mental Illness Brings Family Shame

In Chinese culture, for example, mental illness is believed to result from family conflict. So, to say one has a mental health challenge is admitting that there are issues within the family. In a culture that places emphasis on family honor, mental illness is therefore seen as something shameful that tarnishes that honor.

Barely anyone wishes to bring shame to their family. Such mental health taboos can therefore compel patients to suffer in silence, leading to a vicious cycle of stigma and untreated mental health issues.

Mentally Illness Means You're Crazy

People with mental disorders like schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder are often called crazy. Some are even considered dangerous. In such communities, it's unlikely anyone suffering the symptoms would want to open up or risk incurring the crazy label.

Mental Illness is a Spiritual Attack

In some cultures, mental illness is seen as a punishment from God or possession by evil spirits. As a result, those experiencing symptoms may turn to spiritual cleansing, which offers little relief, instead of seeking the psychiatric and emotional support they truly need.

All of this stems from ignorance. But the impact is dire. Mental health issues when left untreated can lead to low productivity, financial problems, breakdown of relationships, substance abuse, self-harm and suicide, and an overall poor quality of life. Poor mental health can also weaken the immune system, leading to heart disease and other medical conditions.

We can't overstate it: no matter the cultural taboos and shame around mental illness, it's not something anyone should endure in silence.

Breaking the Mental Health Stigma

Breaking the stigma around mental health starts with open conversations and education. When we talk about mental health without fear or shame, we help others feel seen and understood. Small actions—like listening to a family member without judgment and challenging harmful stereotypes on your social media page—can create a ripple effect.

We'll also need mental health professionals in minority communities in de-stigmatizing mental health. Not just at the interpersonal level but also at the country level. All American cultures, from Asian Americans to Black and Hispanic populations, must come together to educate our communities, challenge stereotypes, and change our attitudes toward mental illness through love and genuine support.

Your Mental Health Matters: Get Help Now

Mental health stigma can affect an individual’s self-perception and make them reluctant to seek help. Cultural beliefs also influence attitudes toward persons with mental issues. At the end of the day, we have people whose souls are screaming for help but fake a smile, afraid we will label them weak and crazy.

Maybe this resonates with you. Perhaps you're Black, Asian, or a man who is expected to be strong and stoic. Or maybe you're a strong independent woman running a business. Everyone expects you to be tough at all times, a leader. But you know your mental health is crumbling. The stress, societal expectations, and ingrained cultural beliefs about mental illness hold you back from speaking out and getting help.

Perhaps you’ve been conditioned since childhood into believing people with mental illness are weak, and it's their fault for being unable to control their emotions. But mental illness goes beyond emotions. Depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia are manifestations of dysfunctions in the brain. Even chronic stress can alter your immune system, leading to heart disease and diabetes.

Your mental health matters. But we understand that you're worried about the judgmental stare of family and friends when they discover you're going to therapy. Thankfully, you don't need to visit a block-and-mortar clinic anymore. Mental health providers and life coaches like Bloom Baby Bloom now offer 1-on-1 live sessions where you can pour out your heart in the comfort of your own space. If you've ever been too embarrassed to be seen walking into a therapist's office, this is just what you need.

If meditating under the sound of soft soothing music is more your thing, Dele Ka provides Sound Healing Sessions online. Or simply Subscribe to her YouTube channel to listen to her therapeutic sounds for free.

These are providers of color who understand the nuanced interplay between culture and mental health.

Final Words

We were not meant to merely survive. We were made to thrive. And this is possible only when you’re in your best mental state. It's time to overcome the shame, low self-esteem, and cultural stigma that have held you back. Take back the reigns of your reality and seek the help you need.

Talk to a professional today.