Mental health is vital for the overall well-being of a person, yet access to mental health care for Asian Americans has been a major issue due to various factors. The issue emanates from service providers’ failure to recognize cultural differences and uniqueness, necessitating a different approach to mental health among Asian groups. According to Mental Health America, the Asian community in America has the lowest access to mental health care. It is due to the stigma that the group associates with mental health. As a result, mental health providers must consider such barriers to the point where they can break them down so that access to mental health becomes normal.
Unlike physical health, mental health is a more personal phenomenon requiring a thorough understanding of the individual’s history before assisting them. Failure to create a unique service delivery system in a society that risks depression, stress, anxiety, and other mental health problems due to the failure to accommodate and tolerate non-white citizens, a mental health crisis has developed. While mental health services are somewhat expensive, it should be noted that Asians in America are more vulnerable to poverty, making it difficult for them to afford mental treatment. As a result, many Asians cannot obtain mental health services due to the numerous obstacles that stand in their way.
As a result, this article will discuss three ways to improve access to mental health for Asians so that mental health becomes accessible for all:
The Need For Cultural Inclusiveness
There is a need to create culturally aware and non-discriminatory mental health institutions so that Asian patients can freely access mental health care. While racism and discrimination have been a hot topic in recent years, the consequences for mental health are severe, particularly when it comes to service delivery. As previously stated in this article, Asians face a cultural barrier in acknowledging mental health. As a result, when the small Asian population seeks mental health services, many complain of discrimination. It demonstrates the incompetence of mental health professionals, necessitating immediate intervention in the form of cultural awareness and training to ensure that everyone is treated equally while having their cultural needs met justly.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of discrimination, it’s time to file a lawsuit against the party responsible. Legal action against such treatment also serves as a form of education for mental health professionals who want to learn more about the importance of non-discrimination in service delivery. So, for legal representation against discrimination, you could contact Asian Legal – Asian Americans Advancing Justice LA.
Need To Remove Language Barriers to Mental Health Services
The issue of language barriers in mental health institutions must be evaluated. Because Asians have a different culture, there is a chance of a language barrier during service delivery. It might be a language barrier between the service provider and the patient in diagnosis and prescription instructions. It could lead to misdiagnosis, necessitating interpreters and special language training for healthcare personnel. It will aid in the creation of a society in which everyone can express themselves when seeking mental health treatment.
Make Mental Health Services Affordable
Another way to improve Asians’ access to mental health services is to make it more affordable, particularly for America’s most vulnerable groups. Asians are one of the groups affected by poverty, making it difficult for them to afford mental health care, which is already a barrier in their culture. As a result, lawmakers could create policies that provide free mental health care to immigrants with substance abuse problems and universal coverage. It will assist in overcoming the barrier of being unable to afford mental health services, which can lead to long-term issues such as chronic stress, which can increase the risk of obesity, heart disease, and stroke. As a result, Asians must be given special consideration because they are in desperate need of mental health care but cannot afford it due to disparities in social status.
Conclusion
Because mental health has a bearing on a person’s general health, failure to consider it will result in a sick community. The universal accessibility of mental health services impacts a country’s well-being. So far, this article has discussed the three ways to improve Asians’ access to mental health care. If taken into account, it will lead to an America where everyone is free to seek mental health solutions before it is too late.
Margherita Ceresa an enthusiastic editor and writer at ExtraLargeAsLife.com. She has worked with many publications as a senior editor. Known for her incredible passion for everything new, she is a champion of celebrity news & lifestyle writing.