Conflicting concepts of mental health in a multi-cultural society

The paper challenges the claim that psychotherapy or any other form of treatment based solely on western concepts of mental health is applicable to patients whose basic concepts of life are non-western. Illustrations from actual case histories are given to show that some concepts of 'mental well-being', as seen in the western world, are totally meaningless in some other cultures. It especially draws attention to situations existing in parts of the U.K., which have a high proportion of inhabitants originating from other parts of the world, especially the eastern world, and suggests that any treatment for patients from different cultural backgrounds must take into account such differences; the treatment must have meaning and relevance to patients, especially in emotional terms. The paper implies a new reorientation for western-trained professionals who may be engaged in treating patients from varied cultural backgrounds.