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Trapped by Tradition: The Anxiety of Being a ‘Good’ South Asian Daughter-in-Law
In South Asian societies—including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal—the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship is often portrayed as a cornerstone of family life. While cultural narratives admire harmony and respect within the family system, the reality is often more...
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Breaking the Silence: How Reducing Stigma Can Improve Perinatal Mental Health Outcomes
May 7th is World Maternal Mental Health Day. This annual day of recognition across the globe aims to raise awareness around maternal mental health conditions, highlighting the importance of education, advocacy, prevention, and effective treatment and support for those experiencing perinatal mood...
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“The Son Belongs to His Mother”: South Asian Daughters-in-Law and the Mental Health Toll of Family Hierarchy
In many South Asian families, a daughter-in-law doesn’t simply marry a husband—she marries into a hierarchy. Her entry into the household often marks a shift in family dynamics, especially where a deep, enmeshed mother-son bond is already in place. What may appear on the surface as generational...
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The Cost of Silence: How Ignoring Mental Illness in South Asian Families Leads to Physical Health Issues
Mental health remains a stigmatized issue in many South Asian families, where cultural expectations and generational beliefs discourage conversations about psychological well-being. Instead of seeking help, individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders are often...
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Spirituality Versus Psychiatry: Why Many South Asians Turn to Religion Before Therapy or Psychiatric Medication
Mental health in South Asian communities is a subject influenced by a combination of cultural, social, and religious factors. Many South Asians, particularly those in Western countries, have a unique relationship with mental health care that often leads them to prioritize spiritual or religious...
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Mental Health and Matchmaking: How Stigma Affects South Asian Marriage Prospects
Marriage is a monumental decision in South Asian culture, with families playing an active role in selecting partners. The matchmaking process, through family networks, matrimonial websites, or professional matchmakers, tends to prioritize factors such as education, career, caste, and family...
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Therapy is for “Other People”: Why Many South Asian Parents Dismiss Mental Health Support
In many South Asian communities, mental health remains a stigmatized topic, leading individuals to suppress their struggles rather than seek help. This cultural undertone often results in both parents and children enduring mental health issues in silence, perpetuating a cycle of unaddressed...
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Black Veterans’ Silent Battle with Mental Health and Addiction Is Costing Lives
When I returned from serving my country, I was a different person. My kids noticed I was distant, and I turned to alcohol and the party life to cope. Years of service had taken a toll on my mental health, and I no longer recognized the man in the mirror. For many veterans like me, the trauma and...
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The Holidays Are Coming: How to Handle Disagreements
Key Points: Group narcissism refers to the tendency to exaggerate the positive image and importance of a group to which one belongs. Factors woven into the psychology of individuals may increase the likelihood of buying into group beliefs. Pay attention to how your emotions affect your...
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Expand Harm Reduction Services to Address Impact of Overdose Crisis on Older Adults
The devastating impact of the overdose crisis in the United States has been well-documented, affecting people from all backgrounds, demographics, and geographic regions. The data tells us that one age group in particular has been overlooked in the overdose crisis – older adults. The rate...
