About Harleen: Harleen is dedicated to science communication and is a mental health advocate. With a background in Neuroscience, she has spent four years working on research projects focused on the brain's wiring and its connection to various disorders and diseases. Harleen hopes to merge her interest in Neuroscience with her new role as a Clinical Psychology trainee.
In recent years, the need to implement evidence-based therapies that are culturally informed for diverse communities, such as the Punjabi community, has substantially increased. Evidence-based therapy refers to treatments that have been thoroughly researched and scientifically proven to be effective. These therapies can address psychological concerns such as anxiety, depression, or trauma, at times out performing or matching pharmacological alternatives (Siddique et al. 2012).
These interventions are important because they provide a proven framework for treating mental health concerns that have been specifically tailored and tested to improve their psychological well-being. Evidence-based therapies have a range of techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based interventions, each with its own unique benefits (National Institute of Mental Health, 2019).
Evidence-based therapies, while effective, may not fully address the unique cultural perspectives and experiences of the Punjabi community. Within their framework, they may not consider the specific cultural nuances, beliefs, and values prevalent within the Punjabi population. As a result, individuals from the community may encounter challenges in fully engaging with and benefiting from these interventions. For instance, the CBT approach helps individuals identify and change their thoughts and attitudes that influence harmful behaviour patterns (APA, 2017). However, this approach may become insufficient if the influence of collectivist family structures, stigma of mental health and the significance of spirituality in the Punjabi community's approach to mental health is not considered.
Effectively addressing mental health among Punjabi individuals requires the application of theoretical frameworks through a culturally sensitive and relevant lens that honors their lived experiences. This can be achieved by integrating culturally relevant training for therapists, fostering diversity among therapists, improving access to interpreters, engaging with diverse communities, and prioritizing continual professional development. These ongoing efforts are essential to effectively support diverse communities. By incorporating cultural adaptations, these therapies can become more accessible and relevant to Punjabi individuals, potentially increasing their willingness to seek help for mental health concerns.
References:
American Psychological Association.(n.d.). Society of Clinical Psychology(Division 12). American Psychological Association.https://www.apa.org/about/division/div12
U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices. (n.d.). Psychotherapies. National Institute ofMental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies
Siddique, J., Chung,J. Y., Brown, C. H., & Miranda, J. (2012). Comparative effectiveness ofmedication versus cognitive-behavioral therapy in a randomized controlled trialof low-income young minority women with depression. Journal of consulting and clinicalpsychology, 80(6),995–1006. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030452