Despite the growth of mental health awareness in recent years, stigma around accessing mental health care remains prevalent, particularly in immigrant communities who face specific barriers to care. These barriers often prevent individuals from seeking the help they need, leading to a decline in health. I hope to shed light on these barriers and explain how I address them in my practice.
1. Stigma
One of the main barriers to mental health care in immigrant communities is stigma. Mental health problems are often kept private or “in the family” to protect the individual or family from shame or judgment in their community. The consequences of disclosure are perceived to outweigh the benefits of seeking care. This fear is often fueled by a lack of understanding and misinformation about mental health issues.
The Creating Space Therapy Response:
Seeking mental health care is an act of courage and I provide a safe and non-judgmental space to engage in open dialogue about mental health. I value your privacy and I am transparent when discussing confidentiality and its limits in the first session. I encourage you to voice any concerns or questions related to confidentiality and its limits not only in the first session but on an ongoing basis.
2. Fear and Mistrust of Services
Fear of authority and providing personal information can deter individuals from engaging with care. This stems from the fear of the unknown, as well as past negative experiences with authority figures. Additionally, mental health services are often perceived as ineffective, with a common belief that advice given by these services could be provided by family or friends. This lack of trust in the system often prevents individuals from seeking the help they need.
The Creating Space Therapy Response:
The power dynamics that exist in the therapeutic relationship elevate the therapist to a position of authority. The therapist is able to provide relevant insight from this vantage point. I recognize this power imbalance and I committed to protecting your sense of agency in the therapeutic relationship.
3. Lack of Information on Mental Health Services
The third barrier is the lack of information on mental health services. Individuals often experience difficulties in obtaining culturally meaningful information about symptoms of mental illness and the importance of mental health. This lack of knowledge about mental health and available resources can prevent individuals from recognizing the signs of mental illness and the need for professional help. It also contributes to the stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental health.
The Creating Space Therapy Response:
I provide education about mental health that is tailored to meet you where you are. This serves to reduce stigma and build awareness around your presenting needs.
4. Service Providers Lacking Cultural Responsiveness
The final barrier is the lack of cultural responsiveness from service providers. In some cases, individuals have encountered service providers that have demonstrated difficulties stepping into their cultural frame of reference. This lack of understanding can lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment plans, and a general feeling of being misunderstood. Individuals often express a preference for same-culture service providers who can understand their values and experiences, but these providers are often few and far between.
The Creating Space Therapy Response:
I provide culturally responsive care by stepping into your frame of reference with curiosity and humility. I will not assume I know more about you than you know about yourself and instead will support you in creating change that matters to you.
Conclusion
These four barriers present significant challenges for immigrant communities when it comes to accessing mental health care. Addressing these barriers requires an intentional approach that consists of challenging stigma surrounding mental health, improving trust in mental health services, increasing mental health literacy, and providing culturally sensitive care with the immigrant community in mind.
Reference:
Place, Vanessa, et al. “Perceived Barriers to Care for Migrant Children and Young People with Mental Health Problems and/or Neurodevelopmental Differences in High-Income Countries: A Meta-Ethnography.” BMJ Open, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 16 Sept. 2021, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34531202/.
