Culture is the integrated patterns of human behaviors, which include actions, beliefs, language, customs, thoughts, and institutions such as religious, social, racial, and ethnic groups. Different cultures hold various beliefs regarding diseases, health, healthcare providers, and treatment. As such, culture has diverse effects on mental health, mentally ill patients, and treatment. Also, culture determines how ethnic and social groups respond to the development of mental health and treatment. Nonetheless, the beliefs and attitudes of individuals in society are shaped by their knowledge on the subject of mental illness (Satcher para 2). The focus of this paper is on factors that the ethnic minority groups of African-Americans use to classify mental illness and distinguish it from other mental related issues such as psychological well-being and treatment. Hence, emotions, stress, perceived causes, treatment seeking behavior and other factors related to mental health are as a result of the culture practiced in a particular society and specific environment.
Emotions and Behavioral Symptoms
Various studies highlight the fact that some behaviors and display of particular emotions are associated with mental illness. So, behaviors such as self-talk, crying, self-laughter and physical issues including headaches, body aches, and escaping are linked to mental instability. Although some theorists claim that all behaviors including problematic ones are learned, the lay individuals in African-American communities perceive such practices as a sign of mental illness. Thus, while the rational explanation for happiness is well-being and health, the society, especially the ethnic minority groups associate it with mental problems. Similarly, emotions such as anger, fear, guilt, pain, helplessness, and anxiety are seen as apparent signs of mental anomalies. Therefore, the understanding and perceptions of issues of mental health in this group use common medical conditions to relate them to mental health. For instance, a cardiac arrest is a medical problem faced by many people; however, minority ethnic groups would connect it to heartbreaks resulting from relationship conflicts.
Normalization of Mental Conditions. Furthermore, the beliefs related to mental illness tend to normalize psychological problems, especially depression and stress. Many people view stress as a normal occurrence of life that has no significant effect on the life and mental health of a person. In fact, individuals seem to think that stress and depression are minor issues that do not require medical attention. Besides, these conditions are associated with the lack of ability to cope with various situations. Thus, the community normalizes these mental problems, which then leads to a culture of classifying them as minor mental issues. As such, those suffering from stress, trauma, and depression are perceived to have weak emotional power.
Perceived Causes of Mental Illness
Moreover, the cultural beliefs of the ethnic minority groups dictate how individuals in the society perceive the causes of mental health problems. Many studies done on the subject of mental health classify the reasons for mental health as psychological, spiritual, and genetic. Psychological factors, which include stress result from issues such as low self-esteem, lack of happiness, anxiety, self-blame, rejection, and family conflicts. Other factors are socioeconomic that include ethnic and racial discrimination. Such factors among the minority ethnic groups depend on the view of an individual towards the person suffering from a mental condition. The people belonging to a minority ethnic group view the factors contributing to mental instability differently from those in a larger group. The perceived causes also depend on which group the person with a mental problem is part of. Also, some studies show that individuals with mental illnesses suffer as a result of spiritual reasons. In fact, most conditions are associated with the wrath of God, evil spirits or curses.
Help-Seeking Behavior and Treatment
Different causes of mental health call for different types of treatment. Mental problems resulting from psychological factors require psychiatric medication or psychotherapy. However, since the ethnic minority groups may attribute these conditions to other factors other than medical issues, professional help may be discouraged (Choudhry et al. 2807). Also, at times mental illnesses are downplayed and seen as normal, which stops people from seeking professional help until their condition becomes severe. Similarly, cultural beliefs that associate mental illness with supernatural causes stigmatizes individuals seeking professional assistance. Thus, the perceived causes of a psychological problem are directly linked to the type of treatment a patient finds. Nonetheless, the perceived cause may not be the actual cause which leads to untreated mental conditions. In fact, many people from the African-American group prefer to seek help through informal care rather than exploit professional medical services. Additionally, some groups of people especially those in marginalized communities shy away from medicinal and expert guidance and opt to seek spiritual assistance. Notably, some cultural beliefs in supernatural beings use spiritual treatment to cast out evil spirits that cause mental illness. Others consult spiritual and faith healers.
Barriers to Mental Treatment
What’s more, some cultural barriers are identified as obstacles that prevent mentally challenged people from seeking medical assistance. Of course, stigma and taboo are recognized as the main reasons that cause people from the African-American community to refuse to look for professional help. The culture of stigmatization and discrimination of individuals perceived to be suffering from mental health problems bars individuals from accessing mental health care. Also, lack of awareness of mental problems and their possible causes is another challenge to the provision and treatment seeking of mental illnesses. Besides, some economic and ethnic factors contribute to barriers that prevent persons with mental health conditions from seeking treatment. However, other obstacles to seeking professional help such as poverty, rejection, and special needs are prevalent among minority ethnic groups. Some communities consider discussions about mental problems a taboo, which stops those suffering from looking for help in fear of discrimination and prejudice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, culture and cultural beliefs among the African-American contribute heavily on issues of mental health. Specific beliefs determine how individuals perceive mental illness, its causes, and model of treatment sought. Different emotions and behaviors those are medically related such as heart problems are associated with mental conditions. Also, the perceived causes of particular mental health problems are linked to psychological, social, or economic factors. Nonetheless, some reasons for suffering mental illnesses are associated with spiritual issues related to religious or cultural beliefs. Hence, various perceived causes determine the type of treatment an individual seeks out. Subsequently, cultural beliefs among this minority group pose problems to individuals seeking mental health treatment. Therefore, to overcome barriers to mental health treatment, awareness of causes of psychological problems and treatment must be raised. Certainly, factors contributing to mental issues and behaviors of seeking treatment in the African-American ethnic group are directly connected to their cultural practices and beliefs.