This document discusses the influence of culture and society on mental health. It notes that mental health is shaped by various societal, biological, and psychological factors, and that culture influences the presentation and experience of mental illness. Different cultures have varying views of mental health based on beliefs, such as religious, scientific, or holistic views. Transcultural nurses must be aware of diverse cultural backgrounds to properly diagnose and treat patients in a culturally congruent manner. Effective communication is also important for culturally competent care and involves listening skills, a positive approach, asking questions, and being sensitive to patient beliefs.

1. Reply to this student post with less than 20 % similarity APA
style
Question 1
Mental health is not a personal matter as it goes beyond the
individual. Societal, biological and psychological factors are
often in play in mental health matters. Often the influence and
contribution of societal factors are often ignored. The diversity
aspect in society is embedded within the different cultures and
backgrounds that shape people’s experiences. It has been noted
that culture influences the extent of symptoms and the sick roles
and the resulting illness behaviours (Kanchana & Sangamesh,
2016). Understanding this is necessary to present appropriate
therapies and treatment plans customized for different
individuals.
Contemporary society is diverse and is composed of people
from different cultures who differ in their world views and
beliefs towards mental health. Some cultures embrace religious
approach in addressing mental health. Others are wholly into
scientific mechanisms, while others embrace a holistic
approach. Again, there are different care systems that
individuals prefer to subscribe to, such as professional care.
There is also a self-treatment system, and the generic or
traditional care system (Andres & Boyle, 2016). The influence
of culture and society is, therefore, undoubtedly diverse.
Culture determines the outcomes of mental illnesses with
respect to the diversity of experiences. How individuals present
and describe, their symptoms tend to be shaped by their culture.
For instance, one may choose only to describe physical

2. symptoms and leave out on emotional symptoms or vice versa.
Some patients will often start by reporting somatic symptoms.
They can present their emotional afflictions last, and this is if
they are probed further. The bottom-line is that people tend to
be selective in an attempt to present what they culturally
believe will not reflect badly on them. Another thing is that
different cultures offer varying significance and concern about
mental health and related illnesses. This means that there those
who may fail to respond effectively to cases of mental (Andres
& Boyle, 2016). Therefore, it is not a wonder to find that mental
illnesses tend to be more prevalent in some societies and
cultures than others.
Question 2
Cultural belief systems influence a collective view and
characteristics and how people draw meaning on prevailing
issues. Cultures that subscribe to magico-religious beliefs
associate occurrences around them to be as a result of
supernatural forces. People are seen to be under the mercy of
these forces. Those whose beliefs are founded on magic, and
voodoo believe they can use supernatural powers to protect
themselves from other supernatural forces (Andres & Boyle,
2016). They may tend to associate mental illness with such
powers. In an attempt to address mental illness, they also
invoke those forces.
Another cultural group is that which upholds the scientific, or
biomedical paradigm. Here, life is seen to be under the
influence of physical and biochemical processes that people can
study, understand and even manipulate them. Natural sciences
are used in this model to explore and explain aspects of health.
Issues of psychological and emotional changes under this
paradigm can be studied and intercepted. Most Western cultures
operate along with the above understanding. Lastly, there is a
culture that follows the holistic health paradigm. According to

3. this world view popular with Indian cultures in America and
Asia, nature has forces that have to be balanced (Andres &
Boyle, 2016). Human life is seen as only a part of nature. Any
disturbance on some of the forces presents imbalance, which
can be manifested in chaos and diseases.
Transcultural mental health nurses need to have aware and be
knowledgeable about the different cultures they serve. This not
only removes rigidity but also presents an opportunity to
employ a mix of care delivery customized for individual
patients. With a full understanding of diverse cultural
backgrounds, transcultural mental health nurses can handle their
job well (Kanchana & Sangamesh, 2016). They will be able to
make a correct diagnosis, offer appropriate treatment for
culturally congruent care.
Question 3
My cultural values and perspective on mental health care are
founded on Christianity. Still, I respect the scientific
understanding of mental health. I believe that in players and
that God has the power to heal. At the same time, I believe God
gives us knowledge, and scientific knowledge is Godly.
Therefore, it would be normal for me to pray and at the same
time, seek medical for mental health issues. My approach is
different from individuals from cultures who do not believe in
religion; for instance, those who pure observe the biomedical
paradigm. According to Andrea and Boyle (2016), biomedical
model health care caries has the solution to mental health. An
individual observing the biomedical paradigm may not go
beyond scientifically accepted methods of addressing mental
health.
Question 4
One important communication skill necessary to promote

4. culturally competent mental health care is listening. A nurse
should be able to give attention to every detail presented by the
patient. This is in order to understand the message and to note
every emotion that is accompanying the message. Secondly, it is
appropriate to have a positive verbal and non-verbal approach.
This serves to encourage the patient in their communication
(Andres & Boyle, 2016). Thirdly, it is necessary to ask
necessary questions which help to understand the patient’s
culture and their specific issues. It is also important to be able
to assess a patient through the target language without making
any assumption for the interaction to be fruitful. Lastly,
communication needs to be clear using gestures and symbols
where necessary (Lopes Campelo et al., 2018). Above all, the
nurse or clinician needs to be sensitive to the beliefs and
practices throughout a session.
References
Andres, A.M. & Bolye, J.S. (2016). Transcultural Concepts in
Nursing Care (7th ed.). ISBN 978-1-4511-9397-8
Kanchana, M. N., & Sangamesh, N. (2016). Transcultural
nursing: Importance in nursing practice.
International Journal of Nursing Education
,
8
(1), 135-138.
Lopes Campelo, C., Alves de Sousa, S. D. M., Carvalho Silva,
L. D., Dias, R. S., Ribeiro Azevedo, P., Oliveira Nunes, F. D.,
& de Souza Paiva, S. (2018). PATIENT SAFETY CULTURE
AND THE CULTURAL NURSING CARE.
Journal of Nursing UFPE/Revista de Enfermagem UFPE
,
12
(9).