Cultural Traditions
This major festival of lights celebrates the victory of good over evil and is widely celebrated across South Asia.
What is Diwali?
This staple grain is eaten daily across South Asia and often paired with curry.
What is rice?
This term refers to emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
What is mental health?
In many South Asian families, mental health struggles are often kept private due to this social pressure.
What is fear of judgment / saving face?
This positive action involves reaching out to others instead of dealing with mental health struggles alone.
What is seeking help?
This traditional South Asian greeting involves pressing your palms together and slightly bowing.
What is Namaste?
This popular drink made from yogurt, water, and spices (or fruit) is common in South Asia.
What is lassi?
This common mental health condition involves persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest.
What is depression?
This concept refers to prioritizing family reputation over individual needs.
What is family honor (izzat)?
This type of support comes from friends, family, and community.
What is social support?
This traditional art form, often applied to hands and feet during celebrations, uses intricate designs made with henna paste.
What is mehndi?
This spice blend commonly includes turmeric, cumin, and coriander and is used in many South Asian dishes.
What is masala?
This condition is characterized by excessive worry, nervousness, or fear.
What is anxiety?
Many South Asian individuals face pressure to pursue careers like medicine, engineering, or law due to this expectation.
What is academic/career pressure?
Practicing meditation, yoga, or journaling are examples of this.
What is self-care?
This South Asian garment, often worn for formal events, is draped and typically paired with a blouse.
What is a sari?
This common South Asian meal style involves a variety of small dishes served together on one plate, often including rice, bread, vegetables, and curries.
What is a thali?
This type of therapy involves talking with a trained professional to work through challenges.
What is talk therapy / psychotherapy?
This barrier to mental health care includes lack of culturally competent providers and language differences.
What is limited access to culturally appropriate care?
This skill involves recognizing your emotions and managing them in a healthy way.
What is emotional regulation?
This traditional pre-wedding celebration involves applying turmeric paste to the bride and groom for blessings and glowing skin.
What is the Haldi ceremony?
This popular street food consists of crispy hollow shells filled with spiced water, potatoes, and chickpeas, known by different names across South Asia.
What is pani puri (golgappa / phuchka)?
This harmful misconception in many communities suggests mental illness is a sign of weakness or failure.
What is stigma?
This term describes the stress experienced when balancing traditional cultural values with Western society.
What is cultural stress?
This approach to care considers cultural background when treating mental health.
What is culturally competent care?