Here are four ways culture can impact mental health:

1. Cultural stigma. Every culture has a different way of looking at mental health.
For many, there is growing stigma around mental health, and mental health
challenges are considered a weakness and something to hide. This can make it harder
for those struggling to talk openly and ask for help.
2. Understanding symptoms. Culture can influence how people describe and feel
about their symptoms. It can affect whether someone chooses to recognize and talk
about only physical symptoms, only emotional symptoms or both.
3. Community Support. Cultural factors can determine how much support someone
gets from their family and community when it comes to mental health. Because of
existing stigma, minorities are sometimes left to find mental health treatment and
support alone.
4. Resources. When looking for mental health treatment, you want to talk to someone
who understands your specific experiences and concerns. It can sometimes be
difficult or time-consuming to find resources and treatment options that take into
account specific cultures factors and needs.

Some ways that culture impacts our mental health:-

 Cultural stigma: - Every culture has its own outlook on mental health. Mental health
problems are becoming stigmatized, and many people see them as a sign of weakness or
shame. It may be more difficult for folks who are struggling to open up and ask for help
as a result of this.
 Understanding symptoms:- The way people express and feel about their symptoms is
influenced by their culture. It can influence whether or not someone recognizes and
discusses simply physical symptoms, only emotional ones, or both.
 Community Support:- When it comes to mental health, cultural differences might
influence how much assistance someone receives from their family and community.
Minorities are sometimes left to acquire mental health therapy and support on their own
due to existing stigma.
 Resources:- When seeking mental health care, you want to speak with someone who
knows your specific experiences and worries. Finding tools and therapy options that take
specific cultural aspects and needs into account can be challenging and time-consuming.
 Environmental pollution. Growing up around ‘dirty air’ quadruples a child’s chance of
developing depression later in life. This may be related to other environmental factors
(polluted areas typically combine more of the factors on this list than just air
pollution), but the risk is still worth noted.
 Hazardous working conditions. ‘Hazardous’ can refer not just to physical danger
where work is concerned. It refers to any working condition which can put significant
strain on body and/or mind. If your work environment is stressful, your mental health
can suffer.
 Extreme weather conditions. Bad or extreme weather is stressful and it can wear your
down. If you’re perpetually cold, sweltering, battling against snow, struggling over ice,
or drenched to the skin every time you step outside, your mental health will experience
a toll. This is particularly the case if extreme weather endangers your life, your family,
your loved ones, or your property.
 Smoking. Both passive and active smoking are very bad for your mental health.

 Lack
of access to green spaces. Access to green or naturally beautiful spaces has a
massively positive impact upon mental health. To be trapped within concrete jungles
means never getting the mental benefits of fresh air, green leaves and so on.
 Lackof visual stimulation. People often describe certain urban environments as
‘bland’ or ‘dull’. It’s noticeable that people perk up to the extent that their moods
visibly lift when they enter more interesting (or perhaps more aesthetically pleasing)
environments. Being within a ‘bland’, uninspiring environment is unpleasant, and
may have a negative impact upon mental health.