Mental Illness Stigma in the South Asian Community || My Experience

Mental health has become a popular topic of discussion in recent years. Especially in the South Asian
community, it seems more young people are trying to fight the stigma that culture has taught. I am speaking from my personal experience, and I understand that not everyone has experienced this stigma (which is awesome!). However, my experience has taught me how someone's mental state can worsen if there is a stigma placed around it. They won't receive the proper medical attention and will feel ostracized by their community.

I have really close relatives who struggled/struggle with mental health and didn't get help, because to them, our mental health isn't a real problem.

I love Mindy Kaling<3

"Oh, you're depressed? Maybe you're not working hard enough."
"Oh, you're stressed? What do you have to be stressed about?"
"Oh, you feel anxiety? Just ignore it!"



Sometimes I would be yelled at if I even mentioned I was feeling anxious.

Most of the responses I received about my mental health was, that I was lying. That I was making it up. Ultimately, mental illness wasn't real, and it was a problem "only white people" face. That somehow, being Indian means we don't get depression, anxiety, or any other mental illnesses.

Or the age-old South Asian response to any culture conflict: what will other people think? We don't want other people to think we're "crazy" so just keep quiet about it.

Major eye roll for above question!

A few years ago, my brother was diagnosed with a severe mental illness, and it really challenged my parents belief about it all. They still have their aversion, especially my mom, but it's safe to say they are slowly coming to terms with the idea that mental illness is a "brown people problem" too.

My South Asian parents' feelings towards mental health: ^

My parents grew up in a culture and generation where they didn't have time to worry about their mental state. There was so much expectation and pressure placed on them to succeed and survive.

My mother is still having a difficult time accepting my brother's mental illness. She insists that if he had finished college, got a stable job, or just listened to the advice she had given him, he wouldn't be in this state. Maybe those things would have  helped him to some extent, but that doesn't change the disease. He still needs medicine and therapy. I've explained it to my mother countless times; that it is caused by biological and environmental factors. It's still difficult for her to understand and accept.

This scene gets me every time)':

Ultimately, our culture teaches us what is acceptable and what's not. Unfortunately, in the South Asian community mental illness is still a stigmatized topic, therefore unacceptable. Some people are afraid to get help because they may face ridicule, shame, ignorance, or disregard. A mental illness needs just as much attention as any other medical problem. I understand why my parents struggle with this, but if we continue to ignore or shame people, they will never receive the help they need, and live a healthy life. I hope the South Asian community (and all communities) keep the conversation going, and break the stigma.




What are some ways we can break the stigma surrounding mental health in our communities? Leave a comment! I would love to hear other people's experiences and perspectives on this topic!

 Also, let me know if you want me to expand on this topic (I feel like I can write so much on this topic).