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 interventions over professional psychiatric help. This pattern is especially evident in the context of faith-based solutions, such as prayers, rituals, or even exorcisms, as alternatives to therapy or psychiatric medication. The strong influence of religion and cultural traditions plays a key role in shaping these perceptions, often leading to a reluctance to seek professional help.
Across various South Asian communities, especially those in the United States and the United Kingdom, there are consistent themes in how mental health is approached. In many cases, mental illness is perceived through the lens of moral or social failure rather than as a medical condition. For example, depression is often seen as a personal weakness, a stigma that prevents many individuals from acknowledging their mental health struggles. This belief is compounded by the idea that emotional distress can be addressed through spiritual means or that seeking help from a professional is tantamount to a failure to maintain faith or control over one’s life.
This tendency to rely on spiritual or religious solutions can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the traditional family structures within South Asian societies, the stigma surrounding mental illness, and a lack of awareness or understanding of psychiatric care. Studies have shown that, particularly among older generations, there is a significant preference for religious leaders or family support when dealing with mental health concerns. In contrast, younger South Asians in Western countries are more likely to seek out professional help, though they, too, face barriers due to cultural stigmas.
The reluctance to seek psychiatric care is not unique to South Asians in their home countries but extends to communities in Western nations. South Asian immigrants in the United States often present mental health symptoms differently than their Western counterparts. Research indicates that younger South Asians tend to present stress-related symptoms primarily linked to acculturation, while older individuals are more likely to report severe mental health conditions, such as depression, psychosis, and anxiety. This difference in symptom presentation highlights the generational divide in how mental health is perceived and dealt with within these communities.
In the United Kingdom, studies have highlighted the higher rates of suicide among South Asian women, particularly within younger age groups. These trends are often attributed to cultural factors, including rigid gender roles, family pressures, and societal expectations. The stereotypes of South Asian culture being inherently oppressive and patriarchal often overshadow the nuanced understanding needed to address these issues effectively. Mental health professionals in the UK have been critiqued for their tendency to rely on these stereotypes, which misdirect diagnosis and treatment. Instead of considering the socio-cultural and familial factors that contribute to mental health struggles, professionals may wrongly attribute mental health issues to cultural flaws.
The stereotype that South Asian cultures are repressive or patriarchal is particularly prevalent in discussions around the mental health of South Asian women. Research from the UK suggests that mental health care professionals often perceive these women as living in cultures that inhibit emotional expression and personal autonomy. While some aspects of traditional South Asian cultures do place significant pressures on women, such as in arranged marriages and the dowry system, these issues are not universally applicable across all South Asian groups. Moreover, such stereotypes risk marginalizing those who may already be struggling with mental health concerns, preventing them from seeking the help they need.
The role of religion in mental health care within South Asian communities is also a subject of much debate. Among South Asian Muslims, in particular, religious leaders often act as a primary source of support. A study examining South Asian American Muslims—specifically Sunni, Shia, and Ismaili groups—found significant differences in attitudes toward mental health services. Sunnis were more likely to adhere to traditional cultural beliefs and were less familiar with formal mental health resources, whereas Ismailis were more open to seeking professional help. Shias, on the other hand, preferred informal support from family and religious leaders over formal psychiatric care. These findings suggest that mental health help-seeking behavior among South Asian Muslims is complex and shaped by religious sect, gender, and generational status.
Another key barrier to accessing mental health care within South Asian communities, especially in the U.S., is the perception of psychiatry as a “Western” practice. This is particularly evident in the South Asian immigrant population, which may feel disconnected from or even distrustful of mental health professionals who are not familiar with their cultural context. Many South Asians in the diaspora continue to rely on family members, religious leaders, or community elders for advice and emotional support, sometimes to the detriment of their mental well-being. In these communities, mental illness is often seen as something that should be managed privately or within the family, which prevents many individuals from seeking out the help of psychiatrists or counselors.
Clinicians who work with South Asian populations in Western countries often encounter significant challenges in addressing these issues. A study conducted in the U.S. explored the perspectives of clinicians on the presentation of mental health symptoms among South Asians. It found that mental health care professionals often struggle with cultural sensitivity, especially when dealing with mental health symptoms that are expressed in non-Western ways, such as through somatic complaints rather than emotional ones. Stigma and denial of mental illness were identified as significant barriers to treatment, with many South Asians avoiding formal psychiatric care out of fear of being labeled as “crazy” or dishonoring their family.
Facilitators for treatment, according to clinicians, included adopting a patient-centered approach that acknowledged cultural differences and incorporating the use of a medical model alongside more holistic or alternative approaches. The study highlighted that clinicians who took the time to understand the cultural context of their South Asian patients were better able to engage them in treatment and provide more effective care. However, this requires a shift in how mental health care professionals approach South Asian patients and a greater understanding of the complex interplay between cultural, religious, and familial factors.
Given the high rates of mental health issues and suicides among South Asians, it is critical for mental health professionals to develop more culturally competent approaches to care. This includes not only understanding the cultural values and beliefs of these communities but also recognizing the barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help. For example, incorporating religious or spiritual support into treatment plans, where appropriate, may help bridge the gap between traditional cultural practices and modern psychiatric care. Additionally, providing education on mental health in ways that resonate with South Asian communities, such as through community outreach or by working with religious leaders, could help reduce stigma and increase engagement.
Mental health professionals must acknowledge these influences in order to provide the most effective care. By breaking down stereotypes and offering culturally sensitive treatment, we can work towards improving mental health outcomes for South Asians, especially in immigrant communities where these issues may be compounded by acculturation stress, generational divides, and a lack of familiarity with formal psychiatric services.
Vishwani’s opinions are her own and are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical care.
Vishwani Sahai-Siddiqui is a residency- and fellowship-trained psychiatrist, now a medical writer and editor, and the owner of The Cognitive Quill. For more information, please visit cognitivequill.com or email vishwanipsychmd@gmail.com.
South Asians and Mental Illness Series
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- Spirituality Versus Psychiatry: Why Many South Asians Turn to Religion Before Therapy or Psychiatric Medication
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