As with any identity, ethnicity is far more complicated than simply personally identifying. Jenkins separates the identity into two distinct elements- the nominal and the virtual, simply the “who” and the “what that means” in terms of their experience as a result (Jenkins, 1994). The following examination of the connection between ethnicity and mental illness looks at culture as the internal social element, along with the larger social forces of health inequalities and racism, which have shaped current outcomes or the virtual reality of living as an ethnic minority.
Values can differ greatly between cultures, and even within them, so it is impossible for institutions to govern with values that align with everyone. This applies to mental health as well, as definitions of health and illness vary so differently across cultures. This means that mental health diagnosis is tied so closely to culture, and is largely impacted by dominant western culture …show more content…
Feelings of insignificance in such a consumer driven society leads to higher rates of depression and anxiety (Warr, 1987). The financial strains that come with unemployment also make getting adequate mental health care, especially with the United States insurance model, challenging and thus becomes another contributing stressor. Mental health services are not the only ones that become hard to afford, as basic services such as water and electricity often become prioritized but still struggled with. Inability to afford to these services comes with large amounts of shame and stigma that come along with poverty and poor hygiene (Prüss et al, 2002). The circular nature of the problem is evident, as poverty prevents mental health care, which prevents employment, and leads to further causes of poor mental health outcomes such as homelessness and