Barriers to Accessing and Using Mental Health Services:
The cultural conception of psychosocial and mental health issues in the Asian community creates a major barrier to accessing care. Asian-Americans have a unique view of the nature of their problem and solutions. Many Asian-Americans are unwilling to utilize mental health services due to the "shame and stigma" associated with any type of distress. Cultural values impress upon them not to share personal problems with people other than family members. Consequently, Asian-Americans are called to endure their suffering either alone or quietly, and this is seen as a "path to maturity". Another potential barrier is the importance that Asian culture places on family, which directly conflicts with the individualist value of the American culture. Asian Americans place an emphasis on the interest of family, even if it means self-sacrifice of personal goals or sometimes, even wellness. When communicating, Asians defer to authority - thus there may be an effort to be deferential and respectful to any professional. If this is not understand, it can influence and deter the therapeutic relationship. Physical and structural barriers related to social class, and lack of awareness of services can not be ignored. Services are inaccessible for a number of reasons including a) lack of transportation, child care, and lack of adequate insurance/ money. Structural barriers include a mistrust of social services within the Asian Community. Language barriers also contribute to the underutilization of services. Research has found that Asian-Americans are more likely to receive effective services if the therapist speaks their native language. Finally, another barrier is lack of cultural outreach (which is why I created this website!). For more information on cultural outreach, please proceed to the Advocacy tab.
Reference: www.asianmentalhealth.weebly.com
The cultural conception of psychosocial and mental health issues in the Asian community creates a major barrier to accessing care. Asian-Americans have a unique view of the nature of their problem and solutions. Many Asian-Americans are unwilling to utilize mental health services due to the "shame and stigma" associated with any type of distress. Cultural values impress upon them not to share personal problems with people other than family members. Consequently, Asian-Americans are called to endure their suffering either alone or quietly, and this is seen as a "path to maturity". Another potential barrier is the importance that Asian culture places on family, which directly conflicts with the individualist value of the American culture. Asian Americans place an emphasis on the interest of family, even if it means self-sacrifice of personal goals or sometimes, even wellness. When communicating, Asians defer to authority - thus there may be an effort to be deferential and respectful to any professional. If this is not understand, it can influence and deter the therapeutic relationship. Physical and structural barriers related to social class, and lack of awareness of services can not be ignored. Services are inaccessible for a number of reasons including a) lack of transportation, child care, and lack of adequate insurance/ money. Structural barriers include a mistrust of social services within the Asian Community. Language barriers also contribute to the underutilization of services. Research has found that Asian-Americans are more likely to receive effective services if the therapist speaks their native language. Finally, another barrier is lack of cultural outreach (which is why I created this website!). For more information on cultural outreach, please proceed to the Advocacy tab.
Reference: www.asianmentalhealth.weebly.com