A friend of mine started having symptoms that made it difficult for her to work, take care of her family, and interact with friends. These symptoms were getting worse, to the point that my friend lost her job. My friend really needed help but was afraid of what people would think about these symptoms because of how people often thought about them in our Arab community. Moreover, my friend did not even know where to seek help, especially from someone who understands our culture.
If you are like my friend or have a family member or a friend who has similar challenges, this video will provide you information that can help. This is Ohoud, I am a nurse, who studies mental health behaviors at the UK CON PhD program. Mental health problems affect a person's thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood. it deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others.
You may have heard of conditions such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, or more serious conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. These are all examples of mental health problems which can be treated by trained professionals.
In fact, mental health problems are far more common than you think, but they are often hidden mainly because people don’t like to, or are scared to, talk about them. If you have, or think you might have, a mental health problem, the first thing you must know is that you are not alone.
Going back to the story about my friend, she had some misconceptions about mental health, which I would like to address. So, for this video, I am going to share with you common myths about mental health challenges and facts based on research that address these misconceptions
Myth: Mental health problems are quite uncommon.
Fact: Mental health problems are actually very common and might affect anyone.
According to the latest reports, in 2020, among U.S. adults:
- 1 in 5 experienced a mental health issue
- 1 in 20 experienced a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression
- 12+ million had serious thoughts of suicide
The overall prevalence of mental health disorders among Arabs in the U.S. is still relatively unknown. However, an online study found that about 25% of Arabs in the U.S. met the criteria for anxiety disorder and 50% met the criteria for depression.
Myth: There is no hope for people with mental health problems. Once a friend or family member develops mental health problems, they will never recover.
Fact: Studies show that people with mental health problems, who seek help from mental health services, get better, and many recover completely.
Recovery refers to the process in which people can live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities.
Myth: Seeking help from mental health services means you will be on medication for the rest of your life.
Fact: Treatment for mental health problems varies depending on the severity of the mental health condition and could include medication, behavioral therapy, or both.
Although, some serious mental illnesses like, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression may require long term medication management, not all mental health problems need to be treated with medication. Whether treated with medications or not, a strong support system is important during the healing and recovery process.
Myth: I can't do anything for a person with a mental health problem.
Fact: Family and friends can make a big difference.
They can be important supporters of someone seeking treatment and services they need.
Now I would like to highlight some reasons behind the underutilization of seeking mental health services among Arabs and provide information about the importance of seeking mental health services for our Arab community
Stigma and cultural barriers
- What are the first words that come to mind when you think of a person with a mental health problem? We commonly hear people say things like “violent”, “unstable”, “crazy”. This is stigma.
- People with mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, are sick just like people with any physical health problem. People with mental health problems are strong and brave because they battle their illness every day, and often alone, but many people refer to them as crazy, weak, or unstable.
- Stigma is harmful because it prevents us from opening up to others about our struggles and from seeking help from mental health services.
- The negative effects of stigma are very strong. The average delay between the onset of poor mental health symptoms and the start of treatment is 9 to 11 years.
We would never wait that long if we had a broken bone or trouble breathing. Lack of mental health knowledge and lack of access to care also prevent us from getting treatment, but stigma plays a harmful role as well.
- In addition to stigma, there are other beliefs in the Arab community that makes it challenging for people who need it to seek mental health services: for example:
- Seeking mental health services is seen as either a threat or an act of family disloyalty.
- Or another belief is that people should avoid seeking mental health services to avoid public shame and stigma.
- Or another belief is that mental health problems originate from evil spirits or black magic.
Moreover, the negative attitudes toward those seeking mental health care, such as refusing to work closely with them, or having them as a neighbor, a friend, or an intimate partner, could lead many to avoid seeking mental health care when they need it.
Religious beliefs
So, let’s talk about some of our religious beliefs that can affect our understanding of mental health problems and seeking treatment.
Some things you may have thought of or heard about include that:
- Mental health problems are a test or punishment from God.
- People with mental health problems have a weak relationship with God.
- People who have a strong faith are not expected to feel depressed or experience mental health problems.
- People who have a strong faith are not expected to seek help from mental health services but are expected to use religion as a coping mechanism to overcome struggles during times of distress, depression, and anxiety.
- All mental health problems can be treated by prayers and “Dua”
All these are misconceptions and misinformation. Mental health problems are not a sign of weak faith or a punishment from God. Treating mental health problems using professional help is not a sin, rather one of the best ways to support someone in your community is to acknowledge that mental health problems are treatable conditions. Believing in fate and destiny does not mean ignoring your signs and symptoms and not seeking help. We are clearly not responsible for our genes, nor the numerous physical and mental predispositions to which they make us vulnerable. Genetics are part of fate, but we still can choose improve our strengths and manage our vulnerabilities.
Challenges of finding an Arab mental health provider
In general, people of different cultures have diverse ways of expressing symptoms of mental health problems, making accurate diagnosis difficult. Arabs may prefer visiting mental health care providers who understand their language and cultural beliefs and values.
Here is some advice to help you find a mental health care provider:
- Ask your doctor or nurse, a friend, or a family member to help you find a mental health care provider and make your first appointment
- There may be a long wait for the first visit, so speak up if you need to see someone right away
If the first mental health care provider isn’t a good fit, keep looking for one who works for you. It is important to have a secure, comfortable, and trusting relationship with a mental health care provider to improve the chances of recovery
It is very important to know when to seek help. Common warning signs and/or symptoms can include:
- Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks
- Seeing, hearing, or believing things that aren’t real, for example delusion
- Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart, physical discomfort or difficulty breathing
- Extreme changes in mood, behavior, personality or sleeping habits
- Severe difficulty concentrating or staying still
- Thinking that it would be better if I were dead, or thinking of ending your own life, or making plans to do so
Worried about yourself or someone you care about?
Here are resources that might be helpful
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-4357
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- The Arab American Association of New York
- Institute for Muslim Mental Health
For information about local programs and services including affordable treatment services, search your local Mental Health America.
At the end, I would like to remind you that you can play an important role in fighting the stigma of mental illness and the stigma of seeking mental health care, especially in our Arab Community.
You can do this by:
- Being educated about mental health; replace myths and misinformation with accurate information.
- Using the right language. Avoid saying things that support stigma like “you are mentally ill” or “You are crazy”
- Listen to people who have experienced mental health problems: how they have been stigmatized and how it has affected their lives.
- Speak up and correct those who stigmatize others or who are poorly informed about mental health problems.
And most importantly, create a safe and supportive environment for people you know who may be living with mental health problems. Remember my friend who was having some problems with her mental health? Well, despite some challenges, she was eventually supported in seeking help for her problems. She is now back to her normal life. I can tell you that I, her friends, and her family are very happy with how well she is doing.
Recovery looks different for everyone, but our support matters very much in helping everyone who is suffering from a mental health problem in achieving their best possible health. You too can become an advocate in taking care of your mental health and supporting the mental health of your loved ones, family, and community.
If you are interested in learning more, check our website: bhwell.uky.edu