Introduction
Mental health is a pressing issue all over the world, with India facing its own range of mental health challenges in particular (Reddy, 2019). Through sociocultural perceptions, mental health in India is associated with stigma and lack of awareness, leading to many silent sufferers who are unable to access the resources or help they need. With the field of psychology exploring a variety of approaches to mental health and the different cultural determinants influencing it, a comparison between India and the United States is essential in understanding and healing mental health on both sides. Therefore, this paper seeks to compare and contrast the mental health issues and sociocultural perspective in India to the United States, assessing the effectiveness of existing programs, initiatives, and methods in each country as well as the potential benefits of improved intercultural dialogue and understanding. Additionally, it seeks to consider the ethical, social, and personal connections potentially found between the mental health issues in the two different countries.
Psychological science and practice
The psychological issue of mental health issues in India is of great concern, as the country is home to the second largest population of people suffering from mental illness. According to WHO estimates, as many as one in 20 adults in India suffers from some form of mental disorder. Mental health issues in India are complex and are a result of a range of factors, such as poverty, social exclusion, lack of access to mental health services, and lack of knowledge. Personality theories offer a framework for understanding how individuals develop and interact with their environment, given the environment and culture they were born into. One way to analyze mental health issues in India is through the lens of psychodynamic theory, which views individuals as having unconscious processes and motivations that influence their behavior (Mayer et al., 2021). According to psychodynamic theory, mental health is a result of how individual interacts with the external environment and how they manage their internal conflicts. The psychodynamic theory identifies four main elements that contribute to psychological health: the id, ego, superego, and defense mechanisms (Mayer et al., 2021). The id is the instinctual, impulsive, and irrational part of the personality, which is driven by the pleasure principle and desires for immediate gratification. The ego is the most outwardly visible part of the personality and is responsible for moderating between the id and the superego. The superego is the moral side of the personality, which is driven by social standards and the ideals set by society. Finally, defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological processes used by the individual to protect the ego from external and internal threats (Mayer et al., 2021).
When examining mental health issues in Indian culture, psychodynamic theory offers several insights. From a psychological perspective, for instance, there are several factors that contribute to mental health issues in India. First, the cultural context in India impacts mental health. Indian society is known to have a highly stratified class system, with certain lower classes associated with poverty and exploitation, leading to a state of oppression and helplessness. These conditions, combined with the lack of access to mental health services, contribute to an environment that increases the risk for and perpetuates mental health issues in India.
Social Cognitive Theory is the second way. This theory acknowledges the role of the social environment on an individual’s personality (Luyten et al., 2020). In this theory, it is believed that a person interacts with their environment in a reciprocal manner. That is, a person’s environment influences the actions they take, which in turn influences the environment. In India, the social environment is characterized by extreme poverty and gender inequality. For example, there is a strong stigma against mental illness in India (Gaiha et al., 2020). This stigma is due in part to deeply entrenched societal and cultural beliefs, such as those related to mental illness being seen as a form of personal weakness and a lack of power. This stigma creates a barrier for individuals seeking help for mental health issues and creates a sense of shame and guilt, further exacerbating mental health issues (Gaiha et al., 2020). Additionally, there is a lack of knowledge or awareness of mental health issues. Mental health is often seen as a taboo in India and is thus not discussed openly (Katiyar et al., 2020). This lack of knowledge and awareness of mental health issues leads to the exclusion and discrimination of those suffering from mental illnesses, exacerbating the problem, which can lead to feelings of insecurity, powerlessness, and mistrust.
Furthermore, mental health issues are largely ignored and are not given the attention and resources they deserve. Mental health is seen as an unnecessary luxury and is thus not given the same priority as other health conditions in India. This lack of recognition and resources for mental health issues is further perpetuating the mental health crisis in India. Moreover, religious and traditional beliefs can lead to the stigmatization of mental health issues, which can prevent individuals from seeking professional help (Peteet, 2019). In addition, India’s culture tends to emphasize individual achievement, and this focus on achievement often creates a sense of pressure and stress, which can be a contributing factor to mental illness. Finally, India has yet to create an effective and comprehensive mental health policy. Due to the lack of funding and resources, mental health services in India are inadequate and often out of reach for many people. This lack of resources, combined with a lack of knowledge and awareness, contributes to a situation in which mental health is not given the attention and resources it deserves.
Comparison & Contrast of India’s sociocultural perspectives on mental health issue events to the United States.
Similarities
Mental health issues have been largely overlooked in India due to the stigma surrounding it that has existed for centuries. However, the conversations are slowly changing, and India is making progress toward breaking down the barriers revolving around mental health and receiving proper treatment for mental illness. Similarly, the United States has seen an increase in mental health awareness in recent years, even though stigmas still exist. There are several similarities between India’s and the United States sociocultural perspectives on mental health issues. One of the ways that both countries are similar is in the way that they approach mental health awareness and treatment. In both countries, it is becoming accepted that mental illness should be taken seriously. For instance, in India, the passage of the Mental Healthcare Act 2017 was significant in that it recognized the mental health of Indian citizens and provided essential measures to ensure their rights were protected (Kapoor et al., 2019). Similarly, in the United States, the passage of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 was significant in that it requires group health plans to provide the same level of coverage for mental health services as for medical and surgical services (Fried man et al., 2018).
In both countries, there are certain cultural and religious beliefs that affect how mental health is viewed. For example, in India, there are some cultural beliefs that mental illness is caused by karma or that it is a punishment from the deities. Similarly, in the United States, there are some religious beliefs that mental illness is caused by sin or that it can be cured through religious practices.
Both countries are also responding to mental health issues in similar ways. In India, the government has implemented policies and programs to address the issue, such as the 2018 National Mental Health Program, which aims to promote mental health awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness (Gupta et al., 2018). Similarly, in the United States, the Obama Administration’s National Action Plan for Mental Health (2017-2022) has been similarly successful in promoting awareness and reducing the stigma of mental illness. Ultimately, both countries have a long way to go before mental health is fully accepted and treated in a respectful and equitable manner, but the progress made thus far is promising. The similarities between India’s and the United States’ sociocultural perspectives on mental health issues highlight the potential for collaboration between the two countries as we continue to advance mental health care in both nations.
Differences
There are several differences between the United States and India when it comes to mental health. One of the most discernable differences between the United States and India’s views on mental health issues is their respective understandings of diagnosis. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the standard classification of mental health disorders established by the American Psychiatric Association and the reference used to diagnose mental health issues in the United States (Cooper, 2018). However, India does not use the same DSM standards and, instead, focuses more on its traditional views of mental health, such as the Ayurveda system, which is a holistic system of healing (Varambally, 2020). Under the Ayurveda system, mental health is rooted in the environment and within one’s connection to nature. This system focuses on using natural herbs and oils to treat mental health conditions, and it is often seen as a more culturally acceptable way to address mental health issues. However, in the United States, mental health care is largely provided through various mental health providers, such as therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists.
Another difference between India and the United States is the prevalence of social stigma surrounding mental health. In the United States, mental health issues are discussed more openly and, in some cases, positively supported by friends, family, and social organizations. In India, there is still a strong stigma around mental health. Many Indian people are afraid to seek out treatment or even discuss their mental health due to fear of judgment. This stigma around mental health is due to religious beliefs and traditional values that suggest mental health issues are a sign of moral failure or lack of willpower. Additionally, India also has fewer mental health resources available than the United States (Hossain et al., 2019). Mental health resources are often expensive, inaccessible, and time-consuming. In the United States, mental health resources, such as free and low-cost counseling, are available, making it easier to get the help one needs.
Ethical social and or personal connections to the mental health issue
Ethically, mental health issues in India are of increasing concern. Unfortunately, there remains a strong stigma associated with mental health issues. This stigma can lead to discrimination against individuals and families living with mental illness. This is compounded by a lack of understanding surrounding mental health issues and a lack of awareness of how to identify mental illness. This can cause individuals in need of treatment to be dismissed, ignored, or ashamed to seek help, making access to care more difficult and delaying diagnosis and treatment. This stigma can also affect how laws and policies are formulated, with certain laws being punitive towards those with mental illness.
When it comes to social concerns, mental health issues in India can have a great impact on social cohesion. Mental health issues in India can cause disruption in family life, as well as lead to social stigma and isolation of those suffering from such issues (Makwana, 2019). This can lead to further issues, such as a lack of educational and occupational opportunities, lack of access to healthcare, and the feeling of exclusion. This can have a great effect on those around the individual, who may be unable to provide the necessary support due to a lack of resources. Additionally, there is also the fear of social exclusion and judgment, leading to a lack of reporting of mental health issues and a lack of perception of mental health treatment as a viable option for those in need.
On a personal level, mental health issues can have a great impact on one’s quality of life. Those suffering from mental health issues are likely to face a range of difficulties, including difficulties in interpersonal relationships, lack of physical and emotional energy, and difficulty in concentration and decision-making (Makwana, 2019). They may also suffer from feelings of worthlessness, feelings of hopelessness, and thoughts of suicide, all of which can have a great negative effect on overall well-being. Furthermore, many individuals living with mental illness may not know how to seek help or feel ashamed to do so.
Recommendations
Mental Health Issues in India is an issue that can be addressed through a variety of steps.
First, there is a need to de-stigmatize the conversation regarding mental health in India. In a culture where mental illness is seen as a sign of weakness, there is an overwhelming amount of shame and embarrassment surrounding it. Thus, creating awareness and reducing discrimination is vital in raising the standards of treatment for mental health sufferers. This can be done through a number of channels, for example, by running public awareness campaigns and targeting key stakeholders such as corporates, universities, healthcare professionals, and other related professionals. These campaigns should be tailored specifically to different communities in India to ensure that more people are exposed to the message and that it is targeted to the most relevant audiences. Additionally, promoting positive mental health stories from people in India who have experienced mental health challenges should be shared to provide an accurate representation of the potential positive outcomes of raising awareness about mental health issues.
Secondly, strengthening infrastructure for mental health services needs to be an urgent focus for policymakers in India. This includes improving access to services, increasing the number of mental health professionals, and developing a standard set of practices that are implemented across the country. These improvements will ensure that people with mental health challenges and their families in India are able to access effective and reliable mental health services that meet their particular needs.
Thirdly, further attention must be paid to the underlying social causes of mental health issues. For instance, poverty and inequality are known to have a detrimental effect on mental well-being. Therefore, offering more funding and resources to those in need is key to tackling the root of this issue. In addition, the government should work to ensure access to basic healthcare and improved living standards for those living in poverty.
Conclusion
To summarize, mental health issues in India are increasingly becoming more discussed and visible, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. As such, it is of the utmost importance that, if India is to build towards a more equitable and inclusive society, these issues are both provided with adequate resources and attention and addressed in a holistic manner that takes into account the intersectional nature of issues within the Indian population. It is time to recognize the importance of investing in mental health and well-being as a key element of societal health, one that cannot be ignored or pushed aside any longer.
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