When Culture Hurts: Coping with Toxic Traditions
by Tizita Seifu MA, LPCS | Therapist
As a Therapist, I often talk about the importance of examining which cultural beliefs you may have learned that may be helping your mental health vs hurting your mental health. Even the things that may have been normal for a long time may not be healthy.
For example, you do not have to allow people to hold you to a standard of secrecy, in the name of what they would call honorable, when the secret keeps hurting you and you are not finding resolution or relief.
“Do not tell, it will really hurt the family. Let’s keep this here or it will dishonor the church. What will people say.”
It is healthy for you to seek out support when you are struggling to find relief or resolution.
I see people confuse privacy with secrecy. Not everyone is a risk for having your business in the streets. There are people that can help you find relief and resolutions while also respecting privacy and confidentiality, such as licensed Therapists.
There are people who can help you find solutions to your struggles without you having to bear the heaviness alone.
Speak up about what keeps hurting you in safe spaces. This does not mean you are not appreciative. This does not mean you are not trusting God. This does not mean that you are disrespecting your family.