South Asian History Month: Challenging traditions – Navigating mental health stigma for South Asian youth in the UK

4th year medical student, Projit Kar, writes a blog post to celebrate this year's South Asian History Month.

The inspiring story of the South Asian diaspora in the UK is paved by courage, determination and resilience. Millions of people with ancestral links in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Nepal live in the UK, each bringing unique cultural artefacts, ritual practices and memories of traditions that shape their identities which have irreversibly woven themselves into all aspects of the intricate tapestry of British society. The community continues to be successful and high achieving, bringing diverse cultural contributions including expressive arts and some of the most delicious recipes in the world. For many young South Asians in the UK, this story is also fraught with challenges, as they find themselves at a crossroads between two vastly different worlds, the values and culture of their families and the realities of life in modern Western society. Navigating these inherent obstacles, dealing with discrimination, and familial pressure can have a significant impact on mental health.

My relationship with my South Asian, Indian heritage has been turbulent. I was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia as a third-generation immigrant. Throughout my primary education, I became distanced from aspects of my heritage and assimilated into the Australian culture of my peers. My mother tongue, Bengali, was the first language I learnt to speak but after receiving remarks from my peers and teachers at school, I improved my English instead. At the time I didn’t feel undermined or discriminated against by these comments however, they would still have a significant influence on my development moving forward. By the time I had finished secondary school, I spoke almost no Bengali and lost my association with that part of my identity. The language barrier impacted my ability to relate to and communicate with members of my own ethnic community. Becoming distanced from aspects of their heritage is a lived experience for many South Asian youth in the UK especially while navigating an unfamiliar social landscape, resulting in internal conflict.

There is an unfortunate deeply entrenched stigma against mental health found in most South Asian cultures, often attributed to transplanted generational attitudes. Within my own ethnic community, the suggestion that a son or daughter may be affected by mental illness is often met with distress, denial and anguish, particularly due to the social implications that a diagnosis could have on the marriageability of that child or their siblings. This stigma is often internalised as family members may be particularly concerned about the perceptions of other members of their community and the associated perceived degradation of their family name and honour. These pervasive perceptions can have significant implications as they can make young people reluctant to seek professional help or talk about their struggles, leading to feelings of shame, isolation and the potential long-term effects on overall well-being and quality of life.

Having moved to the UK for medical school, I gained a newfound understanding and appreciation of my cultural heritage. I have tried different methods to try to re-establish my connections. On introspection, I realised that some of our greatest strengths as a community lie in our own cultural heritage. The central and significant role close-knit familial relationships occupy in the South Asian community is a strength that can help address the mental health crisis. My grandparents, who I consider my role models, were one of the first South Asian families to move to Brisbane during a wave of immigration in the 1970s. They arrived under tumultuous circumstances, requiring unity and cooperation within the family unit and the support of the small South Asian community at the time, setting in motion the development of a thriving interconnected community that exists to this day.

Community collaboration and culturally sensitive patient-centric care is essential to help us connect better with a population that is reluctant to engage with mental healthcare services. The value of community and strong family support networks may be utilised to address mental health concerns. There can be an emphasis on the need for open dialogue with community leaders, including discussions centred around attitudes to foster change, mitigate stigma and empower individuals to seek the mental health care they need.

Young South Asians being raised in Britain today are adaptable, resilient and comfortable in a diverse and multicultural society, uniquely positioning them to change social attitudes within their own communities. Second-generation youth naturally bridge the cultures of their parents and the culture of their adopted country where they feel confident and at home. Young South Asians today can form partnerships and holistic supportive networks between friends and family both within and outside their ethnic communities. Within our own communities, we may engage leaders and influencers in discussions regarding mental health to encourage wider acceptance and support, potentially even incorporating mental health awareness components into cultural events to increase the approachability of the topic and reduce stigma. I have recently explored practical self-care strategies derived from our cultural traditions such as Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation which may be used to improve mindfulness and provide unique and fresh perspectives on mental well-being.

Addressing the stigma against mental health in the South Asian community will not be an overnight task. However, collaboration with present and future community leaders to mitigate stigma will ensure South Asian youth feel safe, seen and understood on their journeys through the ever-evolving social landscape of the UK. As a community we may synergise aspects of our cultural heritage with innovative strategies to improve mental health, allowing the South Asian youth to flourish and remain cognisant of the treasured traditions at the beating heart of our diverse, vibrant and storied community.

By Projit Kar