Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. The risk factors for it are relatively similar, no matter where you go.
However, across the globe, and even across the country, cultural expectations can have a heavy influence on our experience with depression.
There are some societies, including India and Korea, that don’t even have a word for the condition. Depression doesn’t exist in their vocabulary, even though it’s just as prominent there as it is here.
In the U.S., many mental health stigmas have continued to fall over the years. However, there are still some national (and local) cultural expectations that can impact your experience with depression.
Let’s take a closer look at some of those expectations, and how they might be affecting you more than you realize.
The Perception of Mental Health
How you view mental health, in general, will have a strong impact on what you do about your own mental well-being.
If you live in a culture that downplays the importance of mental health, you’re likely to do the same, even if you’re experiencing trademark symptoms of depression.
If it’s hard to understand that from a cultural standpoint, take a look at the “stereotypes” surrounding men over the years. Men are less likely to seek treatment for mental health issues because of what society has taught them. It’s viewed as a sign of weakness to have depression or anxiety. So, they ignore symptoms, downplay their feelings, and often suffer as a result.
When the perception of mental health is something that isn’t taken seriously or something that’s meant to be “hidden,” it can create a society of individuals who are really struggling with things like depression but are working twice as hard to manage their symptoms and keep them under wraps.
Coping Styles
Cultural expectations can also impact the way you cope with depression. Maybe it’s okay to acknowledge it, but how you deal with it makes a difference based on where/how you were raised.
For some groups of people, professional treatment isn’t an option. For others, cultural criticism keeps them from seeking it out.
Unfortunately, those low expectations often lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms. It’s estimated that nearly one-third of people struggling with major depression abuse alcohol. Many others turn to harsher substances, or impulsive behaviors, to “cope” with what they’re feeling.
Treatment Options
Treatment-seeking behavior is different based on cultural expectations. Again, using the example of men, they’re less likely to seek out mental health treatment than women due to those expectations.
The same goes for a variety of cultures and groups of people—even in our country.
Some people simply won’t seek out treatment because of their personal belief systems. Others can’t seek out the treatment they deserve because of obstacles or a lack of support in their culture and community.
What does that mean? Unfortunately, far too many people are going without the treatment they need to manage their depression. This condition is usually very manageable with the right help. However, it’s not easy for every individual to seek the support they need.
That’s why it’s so important that we don’t generalize depression treatment or assume mainstream mental health approaches work for everyone.
We live in a culturally diverse population. As a result, different methods of depression treatment are necessary to reach everyone.
However, that starts with fighting back against expectations that are unhealthy or holding you back from getting help.
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If you’re interested in learning more about how cultural expectations affect our experience with depression, feel free to Contact Us. If you’re ready to step up against some of those expectations and you’re looking for treatment, don’t hesitate to set up a free 15-minute consultation with one of our skilled therapists. Serenity Experiential Family Therapy Center offers therapy services in Colorado.