Mental health is a universal experience that affects people worldwide, but the ways in which it is understood, expressed, and addressed varies dramatically across cultures. This blog explores global perspectives on mental health, highlighting the contrasts between Western and Eastern approaches, examining unique cultural concepts from languages that don’t translate directly into English, and reflecting on lessons we can learn from each other to foster a more inclusive understanding of mental well-being.
The Western Approach
In the West, mental health is often viewed through a clinical lens. There is a strong emphasis on psychiatry and psychology, with a focus on diagnosing specific disorders (such as PTSD or depression), using diagnostic tools such as the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), and treating them through a combination of medication and talk therapy.
Focus on the Individual
A key feature of the Western approach to mental health is its focus on individualism. In many Western cultures, particularly in the U.S., there’s a strong emphasis on personal agency and autonomy. This means that mental health treatment is often designed to help individuals understand their personal boundaries and take control of their own healing process. While this can be incredibly empowering and freeing, it doesn’t always take into account how deeply social and cultural factors—like family pressures, race, and socioeconomic status—can shape and influence a person’s mental health journey.
The Eastern Approach
In contrast, many Eastern countries approach mental health in a more holistic manner. These cultures often view mental well-being as interconnected with the mind, body, and spirit, encouraging balance and harmony within oneself and the world around them.
The Role of Family and Community
Eastern approaches to mental health often emphasize the importance of family and community over the individual. Collectivism is a central value in these cultures, with social harmony viewed as more important than individual expression. The desire to preserve family reputation, maintain societal roles, and fulfill social expectations may often create pressure for individuals to conceal their mental health struggles, thus creating a stigma around mental health discussions and a reluctance to seek help outside the community.
In India, it is common for the family to intervene when someone experiences mental health issues, supporting the individual with both traditional healing practices, such as Ayurveda and yoga, as well as community support. Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine, focuses on balancing the body's energies (doshas) through dietary changes, herbal treatments, and lifestyle adjustments. Yoga, often used in conjunction with Ayurveda, promotes mental and physical well-being through breath control, meditation, and physical postures.
Similarly, in China, mental health is often connected to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which views emotional imbalances as disruptions in the flow of Qi (vital energy) within the body. Treatments such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, and Qi Gong are used to restore balance and harmony between mind and body. In TCM, issues like anxiety and depression are seen as symptoms of larger imbalances within the person’s life, and healing is often a gradual process of realigning the person’s internal energies with their external world.
Mind-Body-Spirit Connection
In some South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, mental health integrates the mind, body, and spirit, with religious practices playing a key role in healing. Sikhs meditate on Waheguru, Hindus incorporate yoga and meditation, and Muslims turn to prayer and charity for emotional relief. In these cultures, reliance on faith-based and community-centered coping strategies is common, with people often encouraged to seek spiritual guidance rather than professional care.
Similarly, Japanese culture also places significant value on social harmony and self-restraint, which can influence how mental health struggles are expressed. The idea of "not burdening others" with personal issues means that people often suffer in silence, relying on practices like meditation or calligraphy to maintain balance. While traditional practices like Buddhism and Shinto encourage mindfulness and self-reflection, mental health stigma remains a barrier to seeking professional care.
Cultural Concepts That Don’t Translate to English
Many non-Western languages contain terms that describe mental health experiences in ways that are deeply embedded in culture and often don't have direct translations into English. These concepts can provide valuable insights into how mental health is viewed in different societies.
"Amae" (Japan)
In Japan, the term "amae" refers to the desire to depend on others for support, a kind of emotional indulgence or seeking comfort through others' care. It describes the need to be emotionally nurtured, often in the context of family or close relationships. While amae can have positive connotations of trust and closeness, when unmet, it can lead to emotional dissatisfaction or struggles with independence, revealing how group harmony influences mental health.
"Hwa" (China)
In China, the word “hwa” refers to a condition of emotional imbalance where a person feels overburdened by emotions and a sense of unresolved conflict. This concept underscores how mental health is not just an individual issue, but instead shaped by external factors, as the term is used for individuals grappling with societal pressures like work, family expectations, or social roles.
"Udaasi" (Pakistan)
In Pakistan, the term "udaasi" describes a state of deep melancholy or longing, often linked to existential sadness or spiritual disconnect. Unlike clinical depression, udaasi reflects a subtle emotional fatigue—a feeling of being lost or distant from one’s true self or purpose. It is commonly associated with periods of loss, unfulfilled desires, or disappointment.
Bridging the Gap: What Can We Learn from Each Other?
Both Eastern and Western perspectives on mental health have valuable lessons to offer. By combining the strengths of both approaches, we can create a more inclusive and culturally sensitive way of supporting mental well-being—one that honors both individual autonomy and the importance of community.
Integrating Eastern Practices into Western Approaches
Western mental health care has already embraced the mind-body-spirit connection, inspired by Eastern practices like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. These techniques are viewed as incredible grounding techniques that help regulate breathing, calm the nervous system, and encourage a more balanced approach to mental well-being.
Embracing Individuality in Eastern Cultures
In Eastern cultures, where family and societal expectations often take precedence, there’s much to learn from the Western emphasis on individuality. Encouraging people to set personal boundaries and seek professional help without shame can be transformative, especially when feelings of guilt or pressure to maintain reputation prevent someone from reaching out. Acknowledging the importance of personal autonomy could empower individuals to prioritize their own mental health without the weight of societal judgment.
Understanding the Role of Family and Community
Both Western and Eastern cultures recognize the profound impact that family and community have on mental health. In the West, tools like genograms help individuals explore their family dynamics, offering a deeper understanding of how these relationships shape their experiences. In Eastern cultures, family involvement has always been central to mental well-being, but the stigma surrounding mental health struggles can sometimes hinder open conversation. By acknowledging the role of family while reducing stigma, we can foster healthier, more supportive environments for mental health healing.
Conclusion
Mental health is a universal concern, but the way we understand and approach it is shaped by the unique cultures we come from. While Western models focus on diagnosing and treating individual disorders, Eastern approaches embrace a more holistic view, seeing mental health as deeply intertwined with the mind, body, and spirit. By learning from both perspectives, we can create a more compassionate and inclusive approach to mental health—one that honors the importance of community while empowering individuals to seek the care and healing they need.