Kapri: 0:44

Hello and welcome. I'm your host, Kapri, and this episode focuses on understanding mental health, navigating stigma, awareness and support. We aim for a holistic understanding to empower listeners with practical knowledge for navigating mental health challenges. Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological and social well-being, affecting how we think, feel and act. It's crucial to distinguish between mental health and mental illness, as everyone experiences mental health on a spectrum with potential fluctuations based on life circumstances. Mental illnesses are specific conditions affecting mood, thinking and behavior, such as depression, anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder. Mental health, however, encompasses our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act, and it plays a key role in how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices.

Kapri: 1:41

Mental illnesses are conditions that can cause distress and impair one's ability to function in daily life. Mental illnesses include a wide range of disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, for example. Unlike mental health, which everyone has, mental illnesses are diagnosed when symptoms meet certain criteria outlined in clinical guidelines like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. So just to differentiate mental health refers to the overall state of one's psychological well-being. Mental illness involves specific disorders that disrupt mental health and require treatment to help manage symptoms. It is possible for someone to have poor mental health without a mental illness, or to have mental illness while still experiencing periods of good mental health, with proper management.

Kapri: 2:36

In our conversations, we advocate for holistic care related to mind, body and spirit. Anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder are among the most common mental health conditions, and it can involve persistent and excessive worry about different aspects of life. It often shows up as symptoms like restlessness, muscle tension, sleep disturbances and difficulty concentrating. Understanding conditions like generalized anxiety disorder can help us to recognize that mental health isn't just about having a quote unquote positive mindset. It's about navigating real and often overwhelming challenges. So let's move into discussing stigma, how it manifests, how it creates barriers and what we can do to challenge it.

Kapri: 3:23

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? In our Speak Out Advocacy series, we're here to empower you to use your voice for change. Whether improving access to mental health care, reducing stigma or shaping important social policies, this series provides the tools to create a lasting impact. If advocating for better care, breaking down barriers or transforming mental health services speaks to your heart, this is the perfect space to learn and take action. Do you have a topic you're passionate about or need support advocating for yourself or others? We'd love to hear from you. Text the show to share your thoughts. Just check the details in the show notes. Together, let's build a community that fosters change. Keep enjoying reframing the membrane.

Kapri: 4:08

Stigma surrounding mental health is a significant barrier that keeps people from accessing the help they need. It perpetuates myths and misunderstandings that individuals feel ashamed or hesitant to seek support. There are different types of stigma we need to address. The first type is self-stigma. This type of stigma happens when individuals internalize negative societal attitudes about mental health conditions. For example, a person struggling with anxiety disorder might feel weak or incapable for not being able to manage their worries, leading them to avoid discussing their condition or seeking help. The next one is public stigma. This involves stereotypes and discrimination toward people with mental health issues.

Kapri: 4:49

Think about the way phrases like crazy or unstable are casually used in workplaces or social settings to describe someone dealing with a mental health challenge. These words can deepen feelings of isolation and fuel misconceptions. And then there's structural stigma, which includes the policies, cultural norms and institutional practices that make accessing mental health care difficult. For instance, health insurance plans that limit mental health coverage or workplaces that don't allow mental health days can contribute to structural stigma, making it harder for individuals to get the help that they need. Now let's explore how stigma shows up in different cultural and community contexts. Understanding these variations helps us address the problem more effectively. More on that after a short break.

Kapri: 5:40

The Reframing the Membrane Crossing Boundaries podcast is provided solely for informational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to replace professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor does it substitute for a relationship with a licensed mental health clinician. Always consult your physician before deciding about your physical or mental health.

Kapri: 6:02

Mental health stigma doesn't look the same in every community. It's shaped by cultural values, history and experiences with healthcare systems values, history and experiences with healthcare systems. Let's delve deeper into how stigma manifests across various BIPOC communities and the unique cultural factors that contribute to it. In many African-American communities, for example, there is a cultural emphasis often on resilience and self-reliance, making discussing mental health challenges difficult. The idea of quote unquote, toughing it out, often leads to silence around conditions like depression or anxiety. There's also the notion of praying through it, the belief that faith and prayer are sufficient to manage challenges without seeking additional support. While faith can be a powerful coping tool, it can sometimes overshadow the need for professional help. Historical mistrust in healthcare influences attitudes towards seeking help for medical professionals. The mistrust is rooted in unethical practices, such as the Tuskegee experiment with black man being deliberately misled about receiving treatment for syphilis. Another significant example is Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman whose cells were taken without her consent for medical research and are still being used today. And these are just two examples that highlight issues of exploitation and informed consent. These events contribute to skepticism and fear about the health care system, including mental health services. About the health care system, including mental health services.

Kapri: 7:33

In some Latinx communities, mental health is often viewed through a lens that emphasizes personal resilience and familial support. Mental health conditions might be described in terms such as attack of the nerves, framing these issues more as physical symptoms rather than psychological conditions that need treatment. The cultural concept of a deep commitment to family can also influence how mental health is perceived. While family support can be a source of strength, it can also lead to feelings of guilt or burden, discouraging individuals from seeking help outside the family. Additionally, the idea of community solidarity and pride can inadvertently create pressure to maintain a strong front and avoid showing vulnerability. In some Asian, american and Pacific Islander communities, there's a significant pressure to achieve a high academic and career success, tied to the model minority myth, which can make mental health challenges seem like a failure. The concept of saving face, maintaining a positive social image and not bringing shame to the family can make discussing mental health struggles difficult.

Kapri: 8:37

There's often a belief that emotional challenges are best handled privately or should be dealt with through willpower. This stigma can prevent people from seeking help or even acknowledging their mental health issues. For example, in some traditional beliefs, mental health symptoms might be attributed to supernatural causes such as a spirit or spirit possession, rather than being seen as a medical condition that can be treated, and this isn't just the case for AAPI cultures. This spans numerous communities Among Native American and Indigenous populations. Historical trauma from colonization, forced relocation and cultural suppression has deeply impacted mental health. The intergenerational transmission of trauma continues to affect community well-being, with higher rates of substance abuse and mental health conditions like PTSD. With higher rates of substance abuse and mental health conditions like PTSD. The emphasis on community and collective well-being is a source of resilience, but can also mean that individual mental health needs are deprioritized in favor of communal obligations. Traditional healing practices and spirituality often play a significant role in mental health, but access to culturally appropriate mental health care can be limited due to systemic barriers and a lack of indigenous mental health professionals.

Kapri: 10:00

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? In our Speak Out Advocacy series, we're here to empower you to use your voice for change. Whether improving access to mental health care, reducing stigma or shaping important social policies, this series provides the tools to create a lasting impact. If advocating for better care, breaking down barriers or transforming mental health services speaks to your heart, this is the perfect space to learn and take action. Do you have a topic you're passionate about or need support advocating for yourself or others? We'd love to hear from you. Text the show to share your thoughts. Just check the details in the show notes. Together, let's build a community that fosters change.

Kapri: 10:53

Keep enjoying reframing the membrane, healing and community empowerment. We dive deeper into the discussion around the importance of social and emotional well-being and the role that spirituality and healing-centered approaches can play in our journey to take care of ourselves. Across diverse BIPOC communities, mental health stigma can intersect with experiences of racism. Economic stress can intersect with experiences of racism, economic stress and other forms of marginalization, leading to compounded barriers. For instance, some South Asian communities may view mental health issues as family problems rather than individual concerns, thus discouraging open conversations about mental illnesses. In Middle Eastern and North African communities, cultural norms that emphasize family honor can result in avoiding mental health services to prevent perceived shame on the family. These examples illustrate how mental health stigma is deeply embedded within cultural narratives and societal norms, making it crucial to approach mental health through culturally sensitive and community-centered strategies. Next, let's discuss strategies to educate ourselves and others, reduce stigma and make mental health support more accessible in schools, workplaces and the broader community. Education is essential for breaking down stigma. By teaching about mental health, emotional distress and the symptoms of mental illnesses, we can help demystify these conditions and empower people to seek support. Even having conversations like we're having today is a way to educate and help to reduce the stigma. Integrating mental health education to the school curriculum can change how young people view mental health. Including lessons on anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions can help students recognize the signs in themselves or their peers and feel more comfortable discussing these topics. It's also important to equip teachers and staff with the training needed to identify signs of emotional distress and provide support. Providing mental health information to parents and caregivers can also bridge the gap between schools and families. Including resources in newspapers, newsletters, workshops and community events can help to normalize discussions about mental health. Workplaces need to go beyond offering employee assistance programs and provide ongoing education about mental health, anti-stigma campaigns and access to culturally competent resources to create supportive environments where people feel safer seeking help. For example, organizations can partner with local mental health groups that serve diverse communities to offer resources that resonate with employees as part of learning and development. Promoting mental health days at work and offering flexible work options can also foster a culture that values mental wellness.

Kapri: 13:42

Now let's turn to why people avoid seeking help and what we can do to overcome some of these barriers. So why don't people ask for help? Despite increased awareness, many people hesitate to seek help for mental health issues for a variety of reasons. One is a fear of judgment. Concerns about being labeled can deter people from seeking treatment. This is especially common in high-pressure environments like workplaces or academic settings, where appearing to be strong is often equated with success. I'm going to ask you right now to pause what you're doing and check on your strong friend. And if you're the strong friend and you need support, check the show notes for support near you.

Kapri: 14:26

Another reason is lack of awareness. Not everyone recognizes the symptoms of mental health conditions in themselves. For instance, someone with an anxiety disorder might think their constant worry is just a normal personality trait rather than a treatable condition. This lack of awareness can delay seeking treatment and exacerbate the condition. Then there are financial barriers. High cost and limited access to mental health services remain significant obstacles to mental health services remain significant obstacles, particularly for marginalized communities. Many are unaware of sliding scale fee options. Community health centers, teletherapy services can also provide more affordable care. I'll put some resources in the show notes. More on financial barriers and what you can do in the show notes.

Kapri: 15:19

And then there is the stigma in professional settings. So in workplaces there's a fear sometimes of professional repercussions that can discourage individuals from discussing their mental health needs. We see clients all the time that work in corporations. These are high profile executives and they are well insured and financially secure, and they would rather pay off the books than to have their insurance or anyone know that they are seeking help for their mental health, and it's a very common trait and it's part of this stigma in professional settings and just in society, where people don't want others to know that they may be going through something. Employees might worry about being perceived as less capable or face discrimination, and this can lead to prolonged suffering and burnout. It can also lead to job loss. So these are just a few of the reasons, and there are many more. This is not an exhaustive list as to why people don't seek help and don't speak out, and so it's up to each and every one of us to break down these barriers and advocate and speak out, like we're doing today, in order to affect and be the change that we want to see.

Kapri: 16:41

So I'll share a quick story about a friend who has struggled with anxiety for years. We actually were co-workers and became friends and continued to have a great relationship, and they thought that their constant worrying and sleepless nights, their insomnia, was just normal stress from work. We were working upward 80 hours per week, and so it made sense that we'd all have a bit of stress and anxiety about the variety of things that were going on in the workplace and the environment. And it wasn't until we started having conversations about mental health and self-care that she recognized that she had the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, and so we started to talk about different therapies that might be able to help. We found a culturally competent therapist who understood her background and is still on a journey to being the best version of herself and effectively managing her anxiety.

Kapri: 17:39

Engaging communities and mental health efforts is vital. Partnering with local, state and regional organizations can expand access to resources Community centers, churches, cultural groups. They can also serve as focal points for mental health support, so check those locations in your area if you're in need of support or know someone who is Also providing information and hosting workshops and just talking about demystifying mental health. It's a great way to engage the community to increase awareness. Schools and workplaces can also collaborate with organizations like those I just mentioned to build comprehensive networks that offer diverse forms of support. Offering programs that integrate traditional healing practices with modern therapeutic approaches can also help make mental health support more accessible to those who may be skeptical of conventional methods.

Kapri: 18:34

As we close out today's episode, I empower you to take steps toward creating a more supportive mental health environment. Talk about mental health openly in your communities. Your openness could encourage someone else to seek help, learn about common mental health conditions and share resources with those around you. There are several in the show notes, so I'll provide those links so that you can share those with friends and family. Advocate for better access, support policies that expand mental health coverage and partner with local groups to increase resource availability. And check in regularly. Whether it's a friend, a co-worker, a loved one or yourself, regular, regularly check in. These check-ins can make a significant difference.

Kapri: 19:20

Today we covered the basics of mental health to drive awareness, we explored some of the layers of stigma and discussed some practical, simple steps that can be taken to increase awareness and access to support. Remember, changing the conversation around mental health starts with each one of us. We can create safer, more understanding spaces in schools, workplaces and communities by taking small steps together. Mental health is an integral part of overall wellness. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a courageous step toward healing. In our next episode, we'll dive into understanding trauma and its impact on the body and mind. We'll explore strategies for healing and reconnecting. Until then, stay compassionate, stay curious and keep these conversations alive.