Mental Health Memo Contributor
Tate Mallory Support Services Coordinator

The Influence of Culture on Mental Health

Culture can impact nearly every aspect of mental health:

• Some families openly discuss depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma, while others rarely acknowledge these topics.
• Religion or spirituality may provide comfort for some individuals, while others rely on family or community.
• Language, traditions, familiar foods, music, or spiritual practices can all serve as sources of stability during challenging periods.

By viewing culture as a vital part of the whole person, providers can avoid focusing solely on symptoms or diagnoses and instead gain a fuller understanding of what matters to each individual.

Connecting Culture to Care

Effective cultural connections begin with listening. Understanding a person’s culture cannot be achieved through assumptions about their background, tribe, faith, or identity. Even those raised in the same household may relate to their culture differently. One of the most valuable questions is: “What is important to you?” Responses may include faith, family, food, music, language, traditions, community, or something entirely unexpected. Once these priorities are known, it becomes easier to determine how to support each patient in a meaningful way.

Cultural Awareness in Daily Practice at HSC

Cultural awareness at HSC is woven into everyday operations rather than being limited to a particular month or event. Patients have access to:

• Religious and spiritual services
• Interpreter services
• Cultural activities and presentations
• Opportunities to participate in meaningful practices when safely possible

The Cultural and Spiritual Room offers books, DVDs, and other materials representing various cultures and traditions, supporting both personal connection and general curiosity. Because HSC serves a large Native American population, materials for smudging are provided, and, weather permitting, patients may participate in smudging in an appropriate outdoor area. For many individuals, smudging is deeply tied to spirituality, tradition, identity, and community, making access to this practice especially important during hospitalization. HSC also invites external presenters to share cultural traditions. Czech dancers have showcased traditional dance, clothing, and heritage. Each October, HSC provides Native American cultural programming. Last year, Sicangu Lakota educator and world‑champion hoop dancer Dallas Chief Eagle spent three days offering storytelling, cultural education, interactive hoop‑dancing sessions, and a final performance. A Native American staff member provided Fry Bread and Wojapi, creating a meaningful cultural experience for patients.

When Culture Is Fun

Cultural groups at HSC are intentionally approachable and hands‑on. Patients spend significant time dealing with difficult topics, so cultural learning is often paired with laughter, activities, music, or food. Food-based groups are consistently popular, with sessions featuring jerky, corned beef and cabbage, kolaches, and more. These experiences show that even those reluctant to sit through a formal cultural presentation often become eager participants when culture involves tasting, making, watching, or trying something new. This is often where the best conversations begin.

Honoring Culture Through Respect and Curiosity

Honoring culture at HSC centers on respect, listening, and curiosity.
Key practices include:

• Asking questions rather than assuming knowledge
• Respecting religious and spiritual beliefs
• Providing interpreter services
• Accommodating traditions when safe and feasible
• Recognizing that every person brings a unique story

Cultural awareness works best when it is personalized. Respect builds trust, trust strengthens communication, and communication helps treatment teams understand what each patient genuinely needs. Every individual who enters HSC arrives with a story, and culture is one part of that story. The goal is not to determine which parts of a person’s story should matter, but to create enough trust that patients feel comfortable sharing what is important to them and working collaboratively to support those needs.