-
“What Happens When Media Portrays Mental Health Issues as ‘Normal’ for South Asian Women?”
Introduction She cries. She breaks. She stays silent. She continues. The “strong South Asian woman” is often shown as someone who carries the emotional weight of her family, endures mental exhaustion, and suffers quietly. And here’s the dangerous part—media doesn’t just show this pattern. It normalizes it. In many South Asian TV shows and films, women’s mental health struggles aren’t even framed as mental health issues. They’re seen as natural consequences of womanhood. Stress is a given. Depression is just “adjustment.” Anxiety is portrayed as maternal instinct. And trauma? Just another part of being a wife, daughter, or mother. But when pain becomes routine, we stop recognizing it as pain.…
-
Mental Health as a Gag: How South Asian Comedy Movies Get It Wrong When It Comes to Women’s Emotional Well-Being
Introduction Mental health is no laughing matter—except, it seems, in many South Asian comedy films where women’s emotional struggles are used as comic relief. Instead of empathy, we often see mockery. Instead of complexity, we’re served caricature. The “crazy girlfriend,” the “overly emotional wife,” the “drama queen”—these aren’t just lazy writing choices. They reflect and reinforce the real-world stigma that keeps South Asian women from seeking help, speaking out, or even acknowledging their pain. Using women’s mental health as a gag may get a few laughs, but it sends a dangerous message: that their emotional well-being is exaggerated, irrelevant, or absurd. In a region where mental health stigma already silences…
-
“Is South Asian Media Doing Enough to Break the Stigma Around Mental Health for Women?”
IntroductionMental health is a critical topic that affects millions of people worldwide, but in South Asian communities, it’s often shrouded in silence, especially when it comes to women. For decades, mental health issues were considered a taboo subject, especially for women, who were expected to conform to rigid societal norms of behavior. However, as South Asian cinema, television, and OTT platforms expand, they increasingly portray characters struggling with mental health issues—some tackling the subject with sensitivity, others trivializing it for entertainment. But the question remains: Is South Asian media doing enough to break the stigma around mental health for women? 1. The History of Mental Health in South Asian Media…
-
“The Expectations of Marriage: Dealing with Mental Health While Being Pressured About Your Future”
“When are you getting married?”“You’re not getting any younger.”“Your cousin just got engaged — what are you waiting for?” In many South Asian households, questions about marriage begin early — often before you’ve even graduated or figured out who you are. Marriage isn’t just seen as a personal milestone; it’s often treated as the ultimate validation of your character, your upbringing, and even your family’s honor. But what happens when you’re not ready? Or worse — what if you don’t want to follow the traditional script at all? The pressure to marry — especially for women — can become a daily anxiety, silently affecting your mental health while no one…
-
How Cultural Shame Around Therapy Is Shifting—Thanks to Us
Introduction For generations, mental health struggles within South Asian communities have been minimized, overlooked, or outright stigmatized. The idea of seeking therapy or counseling was often seen as a sign of weakness, an admission that one could not handle their problems or a fear of “losing face” in the community. The concept of therapy was rarely discussed, and when it was, it was often associated with shame or guilt. But things are changing. The younger generation of South Asian women is breaking the silence and challenging the stigmas associated with mental health. This post explores the cultural shift happening within South Asian communities regarding therapy, mental health, and self-care—and how…
-
Spirituality or Suppression? Navigating Religion as Part of Self-Care
Opening Reflection For many South Asian women, religion is both a balm and a boundary. It’s the rhythm of morning prayers, the scent of incense, the echo of scriptures read by elders — and sometimes, the silence we’re told to keep, the obedience we’re taught to honor. This duality leaves many of us wondering: Is our faith fueling our healing, or is it reinforcing our hurt? This piece explores the fine line between spiritual comfort and cultural control — and how we can reclaim religion as a path toward self-care, not self-erasure. When Religion Feels Like a Lifeline Spirituality has long provided South Asian women with comfort and resilience. Whether…
-
How the First-Gen Experience Shapes Mental Health Struggles
Growing up between two worlds often means walking a tightrope. For first-generation South Asian women—raised in Western societies but steeped in rich cultural traditions—the mental health toll can be silent, invisible, and yet deeply profound. These women often serve as cultural translators, emotional caretakers, and bearers of ancestral expectation. They’re taught to achieve, to adapt, to survive—but not always to heal. 📊 Bar Chart: Stress Triggers Among First-Gen South Asian Women Top Stress Triggers for First-Gen South Asian Women (Survey of 1,000 respondents) Stress Trigger % of Respondents Academic/Career Pressure 68% Family Expectations 62% Identity Conflict 48% Cultural Guilt 44% Lack of Emotional Expression 38% Relationship Pressures 33% These numbers…
-
Cultural Gaslighting: When Your Pain Is Dismissed as “Drama”
Introduction: When Your Truth Is Too Loud for Their Comfort Priya, 26, told her mother she was struggling with anxiety.The response? “Stop watching too much YouTube. You’re just overthinking. Nothing’s wrong.” It wasn’t the first time her feelings were dismissed.And it wouldn’t be the last. For many South Asian daughters, pain is not something to be addressed — it’s something to be silenced.When you speak up, you’re told you’re “dramatic,” “ungrateful,” or “too emotional.”That’s not parenting.That’s cultural gaslighting. What Is Cultural Gaslighting? Gaslighting is when someone manipulates you into doubting your reality.Cultural gaslighting is when entire belief systems are used to deny your emotional truth. In South Asian households, this…
Daughters of Strength, Bosses by Choice