South Asian Women & Mental Health
You might think no one understands…
… what you’re going through.
It is challenging for you to walk between the two cultures. You are told to “Stay close to your roots” deeply embedded in patriarchy.
You often hear, “You can’t do this because you are a girl/woman.” You are expected to act passively and submissively.”
You make sacrifices in the name of “family honour.”
These values don’t resonate with you. When you disagree:
You are told that you have become “rebellious” and “westernized.”
“You are not a good daughter… daughter-in-law… mother… or the perfect wife.”
“Why are you so selfish… cold… self-absorbed… or have a superiority complex?” And all you want to do is assert your boundaries.
It feels like you are being controlled.
But I get it, and I know why you’re distressed.
It is emotionally exhausting to always put others before you and be pressured to feel responsible for others.
You are just getting tired of overextending yourself. You feel unimportant.
All of this impacts your mental health.
You feel sad, depressed, angry, frustrated, and irritated. You wonder if you are “overreacting” or “going crazy.” No one gets it!!!
Patriarchal sociocultural norms…
Even if you do muster up the courage to reach out for family support, you’ll probably hear things like “Mental health is not real,” “That’s just not a priority right now,” or “It’s all in your head,” “Be strong” or “You are too emotional.”
You feel undervalued and oppressed. You are told to “Shove it under the rug and stay quiet “ for the sake of family.
Usually, you stay quiet – either worried about judgment from others or fearful that you’ll be a burden to someone you love or depend on.
An underestimation of the importance of mental health…
So the underlying message is “You are not important” and “Your needs are not valuable.” This makes you feel judged and criticized – like you have lost yourself.
Isolated and alone – there is no validation and support. Sometimes you feel alienated by your loved ones. There is no escape, and you feel more stuck and depressed.
Your family says everything is ok, BUT you know you are struggling.
All of this is traumatic for you, impacting your mental health.
Wondering where to go from here?
Therapy will give you space to heal your traumatic wounds and discover who you are!
Here’s what we’ll do “to help you find you.”
- Validating your experiences and recognizing that what you are experiencing is REAL
- Exploring your inner strengths to rely upon for becoming resilient in the face of adversity
- Exploring your values (such as integrity, self-respect, authenticity, etc.) and living your life to the fullest aligned with these values
- Understanding your rights and asserting your needs/wants that are driven by these rights
- Practicing self-nurturance and self-compassion by treating yourself with kindness and being your friend
- Challenging your distorted thought patterns and dysfunctional rules so you can enjoy your life guilt-free
It’s time to prioritize yourself!
It’s time to trust yourself, listen to your inner voice, and make positive changes in your lives.
You are not alone here.
Let’s create a safe space for you to get to know yourself free of stigma, judgment, and shame.
If you’re ready to make a change, I’m ready to help!
Call me today for a free consultation so that I can answer your questions: (289) 207-7969 or (705) 471-2761.