英语论文网

lth issues among Chinese elders in the UK. The Wah Kin (Chinese health) project focuses on Chinese people aged 50+ in North Glasgow. In their project report, 'Voices of Chinese Elders', when asked about their understandings of mental health issues, some Chinese elders suggested it was because those people 'think too much' (Wah Kin Project 2011). Some respondents also them suggested that people with mental health issues will 'end up their own lives by committing suicide' (Wah Kin Project 2011). Similar responses were also gathered in two studies by Tran (2006) in Shropshire County and Tran et al (2008) in Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Brent. When asked about mental health, most of the interviewees in the second study started to talk about their physical health firstly, where further explanation and prompting were needed (Tran et al. 2008). Moreover, nearly all of the interviewees in both studies indicated that good mental health can be achieved by simply controlling emotions and not thinking too much (Tran 2006, Tran et al. 2008). In a study of Li and Logan (1999) in England, there were a number of Chinese people who did not know what the diagnosis was when they were given a mental health related diagnosis.

Stigma and Discrimination related to Mental Health Issues
There is evidence that mental health issues can result in stigma of older people and their families (Crisp et al. 2000, Van Brakel 2006, Braunholtz 2006, Rosenfield 1997). Discrimination against people with mental health issues remains a concern in the UK (for example, see Knifton 2012). People with mental health problems delay help-seeking because of stigma (Schomeus and Angermeyer 2008). Among ethnic minority groups, the stigma of mental illness happen more often (see, for example, Ng 1997). Studies have revealed that the stigma associated with mental health problems can affect the person so labeled in a long-term from many aspects, which can lower self-esteem, ?? é??depression, impairment in social relationships (Chung and Wong 2004, Link et al 1997, 2001 and Perlick et al. 2001).

Fabrega (1991) indicates that the level of psychiatric stigma among Chinese people is high. Misunderstanding and low level of knowledge about mental illness in the Chinese community can lead to stigma and discrimination against mental health problems (Li et al. 1999). Chinese culture also contributes to some stigmatising and discriminatory beliefs (Kleinman 1980), which might not be different from some western culture. It is clearly expressed by some Chinese immigrants in Manchester that those who suffer from Diankuang (??????, Madness) are dangerous to others and should be excluded from the community or physically restricted (Wong and Richman 2003). It was reported in a study by Li et al. (1999) that over half of Chinese respondents did not receive proper support from their families, which had a significant impact on family relationships. Chinese people would also try to hide their mental health issues from family and health services because of shame and guilt (Knifton 2012).

Lack of Understanding and Information about Mental Health Services
Even if some Chinese elders are not stigmatised and have the motivation to be supported by professionals, they do not know who they can turn to for help. Li et al. (1999) found that there were a number of the Chinese respondents (including older people) who were not aware of the full range