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The Strengths and Stigmas of My Culture
"The Cuban 'machismo' culture can prevent individuals from seeking help. Our powerful sense of masculine pride can interfere with the insight and acceptance of help. But I believe diverse communities experience unique challenges and strengths when it comes to mental health." -
Seeking Help When You Need It
"Statistics show that many minority groups do not seek psychological treatment when needed. There are a variety of reasons why this is, but I believe one of the reasons is the tendency to keep issues 'in the family.' And this cultural standard made sense to me until the age of 21…"
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There is No Shame: The Power to End Mental Health Stigma Begins with Me
"Becoming a mental health advocate and motivational speaker was not an easy journey, especially with the mental illness stigma being so strong in my community, but I defied cultural traditions, faced community stigma and became stronger for it. And so can you." -
I Remember When Worry Was a Friend
"Stigma around mental illness and therapy is deeply rooted in my culture. It’s seen as a weakness or a 'made up' ailment and going to therapy is a luxury reserved for those of white privilege. But by the time I reached adulthood, I realized I had to do something." -
Challenging Multicultural Disparities in Mental Health
Many people are unable to attain their highest level of mental wellness for several reasons, and the culture of mental health is just one barrier. Understanding why cultural disparities exist and persist in the mental health field is difficult because the issue is complex. The following is some of what we do know on the topic. -
Diversity in Motion: Raising Awareness through Dance
NAMI Wisconsin discovered that mental health advocacy is a beat we can all dance to. Their annual flash mob dance during National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month attracts new faces to the NAMI family and communicates the cross-cultural message that talking about mental illness isn’t scary. Check out their tips on staging your own flash mob!
