Learn how different cultures view emotions and their take on mental health as they cope up with it
Emotions are universal, and how we deal with it speaks so much on our different cultural backgrounds and upbringing, shared BYU–Hawaii students. Students—from Thailand to Canada—shared how their own culture shaped how they deal with emotions and lead them to cope through different method such as exercising, praying and talking to others and not bottling those emotions.
Jatuphoon Phakdeerat, Thailand
A marketing and business supply chain senior, Phakdeerat said in his culture, he learned how to keep his emotions to himself. Although initially having difficulty sharing his real feelings, he learned that people here at BYUH can share their emotional state and be acknowledged. “By pausing a little bit and realizing what is the cause of that emotion along with praying and exercising, it has helped me cope up with my emotional issues,” he shared.
Pamela Joy Talactac, Philippines
A social work senior, Talactac said she grew up in a culture of resilience, so she felt the need to be stronger despite her struggles. She said one thing she does to cope with those negative emotions is by doing self-care. “Doing the things I love and care about makes me reflect and forget about my struggles,” she shared.
Ariana Chen, United States
A biology freshman, Chen said being born with a Chinese father and a Caucasian mother led her to find healthy outlets for her emotions such as doing sports and communicating her true feelings. “I think my culture is also similar to Jefferies where we’re accepting of mental health,” she said. She said one thing she does to cope with her emotions is regulating it. “By understanding your own emotions and how you feel before you act can prevent you from doing anything drastic,” Chen said.
Austin Jefferies, Canada
A biology freshman, Jefferies said people handle emotions well in their culture. It is not shameful to share emotions and get the help an individual needs as mental health resources are available, he said. He said one of the things he does to cope up with his negative emotions is by talking to someone and letting his emotions out. “I do that in a healthy way through releasing and going to the people I trust rather than building it up and letting it come up in negative ways,” Jefferies shared.
Sodanin Prak, Cambodia
A finance and marketing junior, Prak said growing up she has always been taught to not open much about her feelings. “We are taught to not murmur or tell out what we feel even though we’re just expressing it,” she shared. Prak said one of the things she does to cope with negative emotions is by being with friends and people with the same faith. “They’re helping me to open up, find my own value and realize it’s okay to talk about my feelings,” she said.
Emosi Vuakatagane, Fiji
A psychology freshman, Vuakatagane said the topic of emotions or mental health is stigmatized in their culture. “If a person is suffering from depression, they’ll just think that that person is crazy,” he said. He continued that people in their culture do not really talk about their feelings, especially men because of the toxic masculinity mindset. “If you tend to open up especially as a man, you’ll be seen as soft and weak,” he said. Vuakatagane shared that going to the gym is one of the things he does to cope with his emotions.
Amanaki Soane Raass II, New Hampshire
A communication, media and culture and political science freshman, Raass said culture affects so much with emotions in mental health. He said the way a family is raised in a generational trauma can affect what kind of person you will become. “If you don’t have enough positive outlets to deal with your emotions, you’re going to suffer more than you’re going to be helped,” he said. He said his one coping mechanism is to build healthy habits in general. “Instead of listening to other people, it’s better to know what works for you. So, build that habit such as releasing feelings and even pain instead of bottling it up,” he shared.
Jaime Aaron Acuña III, Philippines
A computer science and applied mathematics sophomore, Acuña said emotions in his culture, especially when it comes to mental health, are often ignored. “I grew up thinking that it’s my sole responsibility to take care of myself especially in emotional aspect because I don’t want to burden anyone,” he said. Acuña said using more logic than relying solely on emotions has helped him assess things differently. “I tend to make all my decisions with 90% logic which I’m grateful for,” he said.
Leini Fong, Hawaii
An intercultural peacebuilding senior, Fong said her culture has taught her the importance of making things right or “hooponopono” in Hawaiian. “When I need to cope up and I connect it with “hooponopono”, I can talk things out with other people. Or if it’s with myself, I can recognize what I’m feeling and accept it,” she explained. Acknowledging if she is not okay is one of the things Fong said she does when she is coping with her emotions.
Chun Ho Wong, Singapore
A communication, media and culture senior, Wong said living in a fast-paced country like Singapore shaped him to be fast-paced while dealing with emotions. “I guess there’s good and bad when it comes to being fast-paced. Bad, because I don’t have time to internalize what I’m actually feeling; and good, because I can think of immediate things to do to make myself feel better,” he explained. Wong said conversion with his family, friends and loved ones helped him cope with negative emotions.