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Assessment 1: Community Presentation

Name

Capella University

FPX-4100

Professor’s Name

March 29, 2024

Slide 1:

Hello, I’m ________, and I work at a mental health clinic. Today, I’m here to help our community understand how to access and benefit from psychological services. Since we’re predominantly from the Middle East, I’ll give a quick rundown of cultural psychology from both our region and the Western perspective. This should encourage everyone to prioritize their mental health and seek the support they need.

Slide 2:

Community Presentation

In the Middle East, accessing mental health services can be hindered by cultural perceptions that view psychology as a Western concept (Byrow et al., 2020). This perception creates hesitancy among historically underserved populations to seek out psychological support when needed. Factors contributing to this hesitancy include fear of Western medicine, structural barriers within healthcare systems, inadequate cultural competence among healthcare providers, and religious beliefs that may conflict with Western psychological practices. As a mental health professional working in such a community, it’s essential to address these barriers and promote the importance of psychological services in a culturally sensitive manner.

To effectively encourage community members to utilize psychological services, it’s vital to understand the distinctions between Western and Middle Eastern psychology. Western psychology often emphasizes individualism, confrontation of emotional issues, and a focus on self-expression and personal growth. In contrast, Middle Eastern cultures tend to prioritize collectivism, interdependence, and indirect communication regarding emotional matters (Prajapati & Liebling, 2021). Acknowledging and respecting these differences is crucial in promoting mental health services within the community, as it allows for the integration of Western psychological principles within the existing cultural framework. By emphasizing shared goals of psychological well-being and resilience, along with the diverse range of therapeutic techniques available, community members can be empowered to seek support without feeling a loss of cultural identity or values.

Slide 3:

Middle East Psychology

In Middle Eastern psychology, several key figures have significantly influenced the understanding of mental health and well-being. One such figure is Ibn Sina, also known as Avicenna, who was a renowned Persian polymath (Germann, 2020). Avicenna’s work, particularly his writings on medicine and philosophy, had a profound impact on shaping the region’s understanding of the mind-body connection and holistic approaches to health. Another notable figure is Al-Farabi, an influential Islamic philosopher who explored the relationship between psychology, ethics, and politics, emphasizing the importance of virtuous living for mental well-being (M, 2020). Central concerns in Middle Eastern psychology often revolve around the integration of spirituality, community, and traditional values into approaches to mental health. Theoretical conflicts arise from the juxtaposition of these traditional cultural perspectives with modern Western psychological theories and practices.

Theoretical conflicts in Middle Eastern psychology often stem from the tension between traditional beliefs and Western influences (Boman, 2021). While traditional Middle Eastern psychology emphasizes holistic approaches to mental health that incorporate spirituality, community support, and familial ties, Western psychology tends to focus more on individualistic approaches and evidence-based interventions. This can create challenges in reconciling the two perspectives and may lead to resistance or skepticism towards Western psychological concepts among some community members. However, recognizing and respecting the strengths of both traditions can facilitate the development of culturally sensitive approaches to mental health care that honor the unique cultural context of the Middle East while integrating evidence-based practices.

Slide 4:

How Psychology Offers Culturally Similar Perspectives

When we explore the development of psychological ideas, we can find cultural influences that resonate across different systems of thought. In both Western and Middle Eastern psychology, there’s a recognition of the intricate relationship between the mind, body, and spirit (Wang et al., 2021). While Western psychology often emphasizes individualistic approaches to mental health, Middle Eastern psychology tends to incorporate communal and spiritual