Abstract
This article focuses on the requirement to increase the cultural diversity and inclusivity of the mental health system for older adults, especially those from South Asian origins. It analyses how cultural competency, stigma, and immigration affect these populations’ experiences with mental health and draws attention to the obstacles they encounter in getting access to appropriate mental health care. The paper highlights the significance of increasing diversity, the demand for linguistic accessibility, culturally acceptable services, and awareness and education-raising campaigns. To address these issues, it makes recommendations for techniques including specialised resources, language assistance, professional cultural competency training, and community-based interventions. The needs of South Asian older adults can be better met by the mental health system by encouraging inclusivity and empathy to improve their overall wellbeing.
Publisher
British Psychological Society
Reference5 articles.
1. Dementia in UK South Asians: a scoping review of the literature
2. South Asian older adults with memory impairment: improving assessment and access to dementia care
3. Health and Care Professions Council (2021). HCPC registration data: 31 March 2021, https://www.hcpc-uk.org/globalassets/resources/2022/hcpc-annual-report-and-accounts-2021-22.pdf?v=638030001900000000
4. Accessing Mental Health Services: a Systematic Review and Meta-ethnography of the Experiences of South Asian Service Users in the UK;Prajapati;Journal Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities,2022
5. Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Older Adults: A Scoping Review;Teo;Journal of Applied Gerontology: The Official Journal of the Southern Gerontological Society,2022