As a first-generation immigrant, therapy is important.
Many people struggle with mental health . However, in some cultures, taking care of oneself may not be encouraged or prioritized. We all deserve to take care of our mental health and wellbeing, and everyone needs different levels of care to navigate their struggles.
5 important reasons to consider therapy
1. Therapy can help children of immigrants navigate their multiple cultures and their expectations/norms.
For many first-generation immigrants, discovering and creating our own unique identities through the lens of all our cultures and identities is a lifelong journey. There’s the freeing sentiment that we can pick and choose from both, but with that can come the isolating feeling like we don’t belong anywhere.
Growing up in a culture that is not the same as where your parents and extended family are from can be difficult. It can feel frustrating and isolating. This can contribute to mental health struggles, and therapy is a productive way to navigate these issues and live an authentic life.
2. Therapy can help provide a confidential , productive space to work through problems.
Many first-generation immigrants are told to keep “negative” things quiet and private so it doesn’t get out in the community, because “what will people say?”.
Therapy provides a space for venting and working through whatever is on your mind without worry that it will get back to anyone you know or that you’ll be judged. In therapy spaces, informed consent is essential and clients are consenting participants who can direct the direction of their session. This can allow space for getting professional feedback in a confidential , safe and nonjudgmental manner.
3. Therapy can help manage generational and unspoken trauma
In many cultures, experiences and situations that are "bad" and difficult -- like sexual assault, mental illness, failure, debt, infertility, divorce, etc -- can often be really hard to talk about. They become secrets. Likewise, experiences our parents and grandparents have had -- like loss, immigration, war, abuse , and grief -- can be passed down in negative and unhealthy ways from generation to generation.
Therapy is a productive way to navigate our own trauma and generational trauma , and break the patterns. It’s also a healthy way to learn the tools to manage and heal from them.
4. Therapy can help in learning effective communication styles and skills
Learning how to have healthy conversations at home, at work, and in our everyday relationships is incredibly empowering and important. Therapy can help teach how to set boundaries, speak up for yourself and effectively communicate and identify your feelings. Therapy doesn't always have to be deep trauma work, but can also help gain access to tools and resources that we can use in our everyday lives.
5. It’s the first step in normalizing seeking help and breaking the stigma in our communities!
Children of immigrants usually have parents who have done it on their own. They left their country, navigated a new life, country, culture and language, and they did it without help. Thus, they believe that their children will not need help either. Minority parents also tend to believe they can fix or heal their children, and unfortunately that's not always the case. If a child seeks professional help, it is not an indication that the parent failed them. Seeking professional help can help you grow in many ways, and can also benefit families.
Going to therapy can help break the stigma surrounding mental health and slowly break down the walls in our communities that keep people from talking more openly about it.
Keep in touch!
We hope these tips have been helpful for you! What topics do you want to learn more about? Let us know at allynetwork@dhti.org