Although October 10 is recognized around the world as World Mental Health Day, discussion of mental health is still considered a taboo topic in some South Asian communities in the United States.
According to the South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA), one in five South Asians living in the United States will experience some kind of mental health condition in their lifetime.
SAPHA says there is no published data on schizophrenia and bipolar disorder among South Asians in the United States, but ethnic minorities experience more severe symptoms of these conditions.
This disparity in data may be due to a lack of conversation about mental illness.
“In our family, culturally, we don’t really talk about it. (It’s) frowned upon,” says Missing Woman Suffering from Mental Health Issues on La Palma said Sagar Patel, son of .
Patel’s mother, Geetaben Patel, suffered from isolation during the pandemic, which led to mental health problems. Although she takes medication for schizophrenia, she has not been officially diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Patel was last seen on a neighbor’s security camera floating around her neighbor’s front yard near Santa Margarita Lane.
Dr. Neil Doshi, a psychiatrist who did not treat Patel, said wandering is a common symptom of mental illness.
“Our loved ones who are experiencing mental health issues may need an outlet that they can’t find right now,” said Doshi, a psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente Orange County. It’s an unfortunate reality.” “They have no outlet. Their only release may be to leave their current situation.”
Here’s how to help if a loved one is struggling with mental health.
Clearly discuss boundaries that are concise for both parties. Learn about the obstacles that exist. This helps identify recurrence. Remember, the goal is not to fix it. It’s about getting the help you need through a medical professional. Separate people from obstacles. This makes it easier to talk about a variety of topics, not just mental health. Use the I statement. Instead of “I notice you’re feeling stressed,” say “You don’t seem to be feeling well, you seem stressed.” It is existence. It’s not an act. Simply being there for your loved one can create an environment of support.
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