There is an increasing recognition of the importance of mental health frameworks in understanding human behavior and experiences.
These frameworks have often been criticized for their lack of inclusivity towards individuals who do not fit within the dominant cultural norms of Western society. This raises the question of whether mental health frameworks can accommodate identities that exist outside these norms without pathologizing them. In this article, we will explore this issue by examining the concept of identity and its role in shaping our mental health, the history of pathologization of non-normative identities, and strategies for more inclusive mental health frameworks.
Identity and Mental Health
Identity refers to the ways in which people perceive themselves and are perceived by others based on factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, and socioeconomic status. These identities shape our experiences and behaviors, including our mental health.
Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ may face discrimination and stigma that can lead to increased stress and anxiety. Similarly, individuals from marginalized communities may experience higher levels of trauma and distress due to systemic oppression and exclusion.
Pathologization of Non-Normative Identities
In the past, many non-normative identities were seen as deviant or abnormal, leading to the pathologization of those individuals. Homosexuality was considered a mental disorder until it was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1973. Transgenderism was also pathologized until recently, with individuals required to undergo "corrective" treatment to conform to their assigned sex at birth. Such pathologization can have serious consequences, including isolation, marginalization, and stigmatization.
Strategies for Inclusive Mental Health Frameworks
To address these issues, there are several strategies that mental health professionals can use to create more inclusive frameworks. One approach is to adopt a social justice lens, recognizing the intersectionality of identity and mental health. This means acknowledging how multiple identities intersect to shape an individual's lived experience and creating policies and practices that reflect this complexity. Another strategy is to promote culturally responsive care, which involves understanding cultural beliefs and practices related to mental health and incorporating them into treatment plans.
Mental health professionals should prioritize self-reflection and education, recognizing their own biases and seeking out resources and training to better serve diverse populations.
While mental health frameworks have traditionally been limited by cultural norms, they can be made more inclusive through efforts such as adopting a social justice lens, promoting culturally responsive care, and prioritizing self-reflection and education. By doing so, we can ensure that all individuals receive equitable access to mental health services and support, regardless of their identity or experiences.
Can mental health frameworks accommodate identities that exist outside culturally prescribed norms without pathologizing them?
In order for mental health frameworks to be inclusive of identities that exist outside of cultural norms, it is necessary to move away from pathologizing these identities as abnormal. The existing biomedical model assumes that there are universal standards of normalcy that are based on white, male, heterosexual experiences. This model is not only exclusionary but also harmful to individuals who do not fit into this mold.