CHAI

The Importance of Setting Boundaries The strong influence of collectivism in South Asian communities can make it difficult to establish clear boundaries in relationships with our loved ones. Caring for oneself can be seen as inferior to prioritizing the demands of a family. Consequently, we stop tending to mental health concerns, passing up self-care practices, and evading conversations to advocate for ourselves. Often our mental health challenges manifest as physical symptoms, making it easier for us to address a visible and objective problem, however recognizing our well-being needs can prevent burnout, alleviate negative experiences, and promote a better quality of life. Though the process of setting boundaries can be uncomfortable to discuss, especially in intimate relationships, expressing vulnerability and voicing your concerns about your mental well-being constitutes a significant step towards showing up for yourself.

The Importance of Setting Boundaries The strong influence of collectivism in South Asian communities can make it difficult to establish clear boundaries in relationships with our loved ones. Caring for oneself can be seen as inferior to prioritizing the demands of a family. Consequently, we stop tending to mental health concerns, passing up self-care practices, and evading conversations to advocate for ourselves. Often our mental health challenges manifest as physical symptoms, making it easier for us to address a visible and objective problem, however recognizing our well-being needs can prevent burnout, alleviate negative experiences, and promote a better quality of life. Though the process of setting boundaries can be uncomfortable to discuss, especially in intimate relationships, expressing vulnerability and voicing your concerns about your mental well-being constitutes a significant step towards showing up for yourself.

💭 Why is mental health stigmatized in South Asian communities? Many South Asian communities are rooted in a collectivist culture, emphasizing the importance of keeping personal challenges within the intimate circle of family. This perspective creastes an idea that presenting issues regarding mental well-being is a failure of a strong family foundation and at times, even selfish. As a result, preserving a “respectable” reputation and avoiding community judgment is prioritized over seeking professional help and pursuing resources. The collectivist approach often denies self-advocacy and discredits individual reactions to unmet needs. Rather than viewing the pursuit of mental health resources as an indication of weakness or failure, as a community, we can collectively work to create transparency about the reality of mental health. It is essential to identify the reason for the stigma surrounding the topic to effectively break down the barriers to accessing resources. Advancing dialogue about your mental health challenges can be difficult and tiresome but is integral to prioritizing your mental health. The more we collectively share our personal narratives on mental health challenges, the more we uncover the need for resources sensitive to cultural context. Join us, as we continue to #spilloverchai ☕

💭 Why is mental health stigmatized in South Asian communities? Many South Asian communities are rooted in a collectivist culture, emphasizing the importance of keeping personal challenges within the intimate circle of family. This perspective creastes an idea that presenting issues regarding mental well-being is a failure of a strong family foundation and at times, even selfish. As a result, preserving a “respectable” reputation and avoiding community judgment is prioritized over seeking professional help and pursuing resources. The collectivist approach often denies self-advocacy and discredits individual reactions to unmet needs. Rather than viewing the pursuit of mental health resources as an indication of weakness or failure, as a community, we can collectively work to create transparency about the reality of mental health. It is essential to identify the reason for the stigma surrounding the topic to effectively break down the barriers to accessing resources. Advancing dialogue about your mental health challenges can be difficult and tiresome but is integral to prioritizing your mental health. The more we collectively share our personal narratives on mental health challenges, the more we uncover the need for resources sensitive to cultural context. Join us, as we continue to #spilloverchai ☕