CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Cultural Diversity and Mental Health

Cultural Diversity and Mental Health

Introduction

The main purpose of this paper is to make an analysis on the cultural diversity and mental health. The paper focuses on the effects of cultural diversity on the mental health. There is a very complex effect of cultural diversity on the mental health. Diversity actually refers to the representation of one ethnic group over the many. The diversity can be easily observed in organizations by getting measurements of other's backgrounds, beliefs and behaviors (Bell, 1996, p. 33). It is a common phenomenon in the organizations that one ethnic group gets the preference and representation over the other groups in the workplace.

Background of the Study

The issue of culture and ethnic diversity has been prevailing since a century. Many theories have emerged showing the conflicts between the ethnic situations. Since decades, the term of multiculturalism has emerged, and has developed new policies in order to save the diversity. The cultural diversity has always gotten classified as the biggest issue in the environment (Phinney, 1993, p. 156). The paper makes discussion on the effect of cultural diversity on the mental health.

Research Question

Is there any effect of cultural diversity on mental health?



Literature Review

Diversity becomes an issue when it comes to multiculturalism. Multiculturalism means that in a specific place many cultures are residing.

Definition of Cultural Diversity

In its rich diversity, culture has intrinsic value both for development and for social cohesion and peace. Cultural diversity is a driving force of development in terms of economic growth and as a means to live intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual satisfaction (Park, 1998, p. 291). It is a key to alleviating poverty and achieving sustainable development including the normative systems which have developed in the cultural field.

Mental health

Mental health is a set of attitudes, skills and functional abilities, which allow the individual to adapt to the environment. According to the 2006, in our country every year about 60 thousand people commit suicide. The frequency of suicide among men is about six times higher than among women. Russia ranks second in the world in suicides after Lithuania, because of the highest risk of suicide in people aged 45-55 years including adolescents and men (Ostrow, 1991, p. 78). Man are significantly deviating from the standards of my community, at risk of being recognized as mentally ill. At the same time, the concept of mental illness varies across cultures and at different times within each culture. The main methods of treatment of mental disorders, which are used today in most hospitals and clinics, include psychotherapy, drug therapy, shock therapy and environmental therapy, used alone or in various combinations.

Cultural Diversity and Mental Health

Our global era increasingly brings together ethno-culturally diverse individuals, families, communities, and nations that differ in religion, economy, beliefs, and histories. Often, these groups also come together under conditions that are plagued by anger, fear, and distrust. Mental health services are the crucible in which many of the issues faced by different groups must be ...