Cultural Wellbeing

Cultural wellbeing is the recognition of, and respect towards, different people’s background and beliefs, as well as your own.

Why Cultural Wellbeing Improves your Mental Health?

Cultural wellbeing promotes mental health because you are able to accept who you are, recognizing your identity, your beliefs, and those of others. This acceptance leads to you feeling more confident, happier and with a more open mind to listening to people with different culture backgrounds. Accepting who you are will help you understand and deal idoneously with any cultural differences.

By making one another feel confortable and dealing with one other without stigmas or prejudices, we are able to create a healthier and more positive environment. We focus on empowering people to use their cultural assets in the process of healing and recovery, leading to better mental health outcomes.

How can you achieve Cultural Wellbeing?

You can achieve cultural wellbeing by accepting and embracing your own cultural heritage, supporting other people of different background in times of injustice. Some ways of promoting your own cultural wellbeing are as follows:

Involvement in Cultural Activities

You can participate in multicultural food festivals, cultural dancing, arts from different cultures, etc.

Understanding Your Own Culture

Join events that celebrate your culture. Meet people from similar background to embrace your heritage. Get the time to learn more about your family. Try to make food from your culture and try that of others. Understanding your own culture will help you become aware of the sensitivities and social cues of others.

Strengthening Links to Your Own Culture

Maintaining connections to your traditions, heritage and language will help you to strengthen your sense of identity and embrace who you are. It also would help you acquiring skills for building up positive relationships with people from other cultures.

We can help you build respect for your cultural traditions and at the same time guide you in caring for your own emotional and physical integrity.

As has been noted by the SELECTABILITY organization:

“The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reports that cultural identity plays an important role in shaping mental health outcomes among First Nations people. Cultural connections to land, community, and traditional practices are closely linked to positive mental health. By incorporating cultural awareness training for mental health professionals and providing services in many languages, healthcare providers can create more inclusive and accessible options for care. Effective mental health support must be sensitive to the culture in which people live. What may be considered an appropriate treatment for one person may not be suitable for another based on cultural context. Mental health providers must adopt culturally sensitive approaches that reflect the beliefs, values, and needs of their consumers. Mental health programs, providers, and individuals that embrace cultural identity, address barriers to health care access, and adopt strengths-based interventions, are working towards creating more inclusive and equitable mental health care. It is crucial to listen to the voices of Queensland’s diverse regional communities in tailoring support and services. This approach will enable a future where everyone, regardless of cultural background, is empowered to access the appropriate support and resources needed to achieve wellbeing.” - SELECTABILITY

https://www.selectability.com.au/the-link-between-culture-and-wellbeing/

Spirituality

Spiritual wellbeing provides you with a supportive community. It can also help you to build up hope, to nurture your self-esteem and to cope with stressful events. It can help you to cultivate inner peace, a sense of purpose and to develop a sense of forgiveness.

How can you achieve Spiritual Wellbeing?

Spiritual wellbeing can be achieved by expressing ourselves in many ways. It can be through religion, prayer, meditation, mindfulness and even yoga. Apart from mindfulness (covered above) some other expressions of spirituality are as follows:

Religion: Some people find fulfillment by expressing their spirituality through a religion or some form of established group. If you identify with a faith, find a community that suits your beliefs and helps you develop your identify.

Prayer: is a form of spiritual expression that can provide you with a feeling of comfort, relief and inner calmness, through connection with the divine.

Meditation: can help you embrace your positive feelings and develop a healthier, calmer perspective on life.

Yoga: is a spiritual exercise that involves meditation, breathing control, specific body postures etc. that help you with your flexibility and strength. This training can provide you with positive thoughts, helping you to feel more motivated towards resolving day-to-day situations.