An Asian Stigma?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ransri
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Ransri said:
huffingtonpost.com/christina-ling/societal-views-on-mental-_b_9488896.html
Above article, extracted from Huffingtonpost.com describes the plight of mentally ill in Asian countries in the context of traditional cultural attitudes.
Click to expand...
Good article and important topic.
To me, it shows how much the Gospel message is needed. Jesus will bring the culture change. it’s not our physical or intellectual strength that is our glory - but it is the grace of God. The humility of Christ means seeing ourselves for who we really are - limited, weak human beings, who can be made strong and good by God’s power alone!
 
How sad to read about a culture where many believe that you will shame the family name if you express your thoughts you many have some sort of a mental health issue. Nothing like having to feel guilty that you have a mental disorder on top of dealing with the mental health issues itself.

It seems like a deep seated cultural belief that will be very difficult to turn around and change given it’s longevity.

I pray that with education that at some point these cultures can accept that mental illness is like any other and many can do well with treatment. I pray those that need help can receive the help they need without feeling bad, or shamed for shaming their family.

Interesting article; thanks for the link. If you have or know people who have struggled with mental illness in this country there is still that subtle and not so subtle stigma attached to it by many.

Excellent article,
Thanks for the link.

Mary.
 
Sadly, I have seen this in other cultures as well right here in the U.S. That is why organizations such as NAMI and support groups are so important.

I once got fired from a volunteer job because I told someone I had depression.
 
Interesting to see a link to the Huffington Post here. 😉 I can definitely see this as being an issues in these sorts of cultures. The West, possibly even more so the US, has it’s own issues with this. We tend to mainly focus on this as a personal issue indicating someone is less useful or productive. The end effect is basically the same.
 
I’m preparing to become a school social worker at the secondary level. Most likely I’ll be dealing with kids with anger issues, intellectual deficiencies, kids with ADHD etc. so this greatly interests me. Thanks - I bookmarked it and I’ll probably write about it on my personal blog (about my experiences in grad school and fieldwork).

Instead of stigma there should be concern and sympathy for those afflicted with mental illness. Stigma should be replaced by sympathy + concern … I think that should be some sort of slogan that NAMI should take up.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top