Youth Mental Health
Disclaimer
The annotations provided on this website are intended for informational and educational purposes only. They are written by SAHA's Health Policy Analyst, who are non-professionals and not scholars or experts in the field of South Asian health. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information interpreted and presented, these annotations should not be considered professional or academic interpretations. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original scholarly articles linked for comprehensive and authoritative insights. The inclusion of any article does not imply endorsement or validation of the content or its authors by the South Asian Health Alliance (SAHA)
Shariff, A. (2009). Ethnic Identity and Parenting Stress in South Asian Families: Implications for Culturally Sensitive Counselling. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 43(1). Retrieved from https://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/article/view/58908
This qualitative study that examines two common issues in South Asian families in Canada: adolescent ethnic identity formation and parenting stress. These challenges arise from cultural differences between the collectivist South Asian values of family loyalty and obedience and the individualistic Euro-Canadian culture. The paper provides culturally informed recommendations and a case illustration to help counsellors address these issues effectively.
Tummala-Narra, P., Deshpande, A., & Kaur, J. (2016). South Asian adolescents’ experiences of acculturative stress and coping. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 86(2), 194–211. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000147
South Asian adolescents experiences are not well known in America, family cohesion and peer support was shown to protect them against acculturative stress. Acculturative stress is stress associated with being an immigrant or from a ethnic minority group in that location. Family support plays a vital role in psychological well-being. Connection to ethnic community was also a great source of emotional support and social support for their well-being. Some challenges to acculturation were language barriers, family issues, being stereotyped, racism, conflicts with parents and dual self (behaving differently at home than school).
Islam F, Multani A, Hynie M, et al
Mental health of South Asian youth in Peel Region, Toronto, Canada: a qualitative study of determinants, coping strategies and service access
BMJ Open 2017;7:e018265. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018265
South Asian Youth face a lot of stressors that affect their mental health; these stressors come from intergenerational/cultural conflicts, academics, relationships, financial stress, and family hardships. They are not well informed about Mental Health Care Services, as indicated by the fact they could only identity 36% of MHCS resources presented to them and are under-informed on the resources in their own neighbourhood. The solution to this issue should be to educate families and parents through institutions, support directed at parents through the educational system, and society at all levels.
Özen-Dursun, B., Kaptan, S. K., Giles, S., Husain, N., & Panagioti, M. (2023). Understanding self-harm and suicidal behaviours in South Asian communities in the UK: systematic review and meta-synthesis. BJPsych Open, 9(3), e82. doi:10.1192/bjo.2023.63
Systemic review (15 studies) found crucial differences in self-harm and suicide behaviours between South Asian and White population in the UK. Findings emphasize role of sociopolitical + cultural factors leading to self-harm behaviours among South Asian women especially. This explores the three aspects known as "behind self-harm", "functions of self-harm", & "recovery from self-harm". The research focuses on the culturally sensitive psychosocial interventions South Asian communities in UK require against self-harm and suicide.