Faith, culture and mental health

Bringing faith into your care

For many people, prayer, faith leaders and community are a big part of coping. A good professional will ask what faith means to you and respect it. You can also ask to keep faith out of your sessions. On HeartChat you can look for professionals who understand your faith, and some share it.

When family is involved

In many cultures, decisions are made together as a family. You have the right to include the people you want in planning and decisions about your care, and to keep things private if you prefer.

Stigma and shame

In some communities it is hard to talk about mental health. Feeling worried, low or overwhelmed is common, and asking for help is a sign of care for yourself and your family. Community events like Dumplings Against Depression help start these conversations over shared food.

Racism and discrimination

Racism can affect mental health. You can look for a professional who understands this under “Racism and discrimination” in the concerns list.

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