Ebony
19-12-03, 07:21 PM
http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/H/health/magazine/mind/asian.html
focus on Asian women
A lot of concern has been expressed about the incidence of mental distress among Asian women. One study published in 1996 reported that, in Britain, suicide among Asian women aged between 15 and 35 is almost twice the national average for all young women of that age.
Research has also indicated that young Asian women are at high risk of self-harm and eating disorders. Finally, there are worries that Asian women with depression and other mental health problems are not receiving appropriate help.
The Asian women referred to here are those whose families originally came from South Asia – that is, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. However, South Asians in Britain come from a wide range of communities with different religions, languages, cultures and beliefs. And within each community, people will vary as to their social, financial and educational background and their aims and attitudes.
Despite this rich diversity, non-Asians often have a stereotyped view of what Asians believe and how they behave. This means that many mentally distressed Asian women are failing to get adequate help because there is so little understanding of their particular backgrounds and individual needs.
particular stresses
Apart from all the usual stresses that can contribute to mental health problems, some Asian women experience additional ones. These can depend on a range of factors such as their own personalities, where they live and their family circumstances.
Specific stresses can include:
racial harassment
conflict between the expectations of family or community and those of friends, school, work, the media
isolation, particularly if the woman has difficulty with the English language
a forced or unhappy marriage
an inability to adapt to Western culture
poor housing
problems finding employment.
In addition, someone who is mentally distressed from a different culture may find it particularly hard to find out where to go for help or who to ask. And even when she finds the right mental health services, difficulties can still occur. It has been reported that many mental health problems among South Asian women are misdiagnosed and that inappropriate treatment is offered. This seems to be because many medical professionals think of Asian women as all the same, unaware that they come from a variety of very different backgrounds.
focus on Asian women
A lot of concern has been expressed about the incidence of mental distress among Asian women. One study published in 1996 reported that, in Britain, suicide among Asian women aged between 15 and 35 is almost twice the national average for all young women of that age.
Research has also indicated that young Asian women are at high risk of self-harm and eating disorders. Finally, there are worries that Asian women with depression and other mental health problems are not receiving appropriate help.
The Asian women referred to here are those whose families originally came from South Asia – that is, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. However, South Asians in Britain come from a wide range of communities with different religions, languages, cultures and beliefs. And within each community, people will vary as to their social, financial and educational background and their aims and attitudes.
Despite this rich diversity, non-Asians often have a stereotyped view of what Asians believe and how they behave. This means that many mentally distressed Asian women are failing to get adequate help because there is so little understanding of their particular backgrounds and individual needs.
particular stresses
Apart from all the usual stresses that can contribute to mental health problems, some Asian women experience additional ones. These can depend on a range of factors such as their own personalities, where they live and their family circumstances.
Specific stresses can include:
racial harassment
conflict between the expectations of family or community and those of friends, school, work, the media
isolation, particularly if the woman has difficulty with the English language
a forced or unhappy marriage
an inability to adapt to Western culture
poor housing
problems finding employment.
In addition, someone who is mentally distressed from a different culture may find it particularly hard to find out where to go for help or who to ask. And even when she finds the right mental health services, difficulties can still occur. It has been reported that many mental health problems among South Asian women are misdiagnosed and that inappropriate treatment is offered. This seems to be because many medical professionals think of Asian women as all the same, unaware that they come from a variety of very different backgrounds.