The Sandwich Generation
"We're definitely the sandwich generation. You know, we're definitely now sandwiched in the middle of two cultures, two worlds, two norms, two senses of cultural normative and sense of normalcy. Trying to now find that balance and translate four languages into one without losing anything in translation." - Jessica Jefferson
Many Haitian immigrants settling in the United States bring many aspects of their culture over, such as language, food, and music. However, they also bring over some of those stigmas and attitudes about mental health and instill them in their offspring, leading to the perpetuation of these stigmas into the next generation. Haitian youths growing up in the USA are "sandwiched" between two different cultures: the Haitian culture and the American one.
Although most second-generation immigrant youth don’t go through the same experiences as their parents and grandparents, they still suffer from mental conditions. In a study conducted by International psychiatric centers, results found that second-generation immigrant children or SGI’s, experience higher rates of psychiatric disorders such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety than their native counterparts.
In an anonymous survey , I interviewed 22 young Haitian-Americans about mental health
Talking about mental health can be difficult, especially in an environment where it is not always welcomed. For those who never said anything, they gave multiple reasons:
“I feel like I will be judged or not be understood” -Anonymous
“Because I was afraid of what people may think” -Anonymous
“Because if I did nothing would happen” -Anonymous
“Because I was scared of them telling" -Anonymous
"I was just making it up as an excuse not to do great or succeed.”-Anonymous
“I didn’t want people to know I was going through this”-Anonymous
For those who did tell someone, the reactions were mixed.
“When I was going through it (anxiety/panic disorder), my family and close friends tried to be supportive as best as they could and their support looked different. My parents offered mostly prayer and my friends offered a listening ear and prayer. My parents never acknowledged it as a mental health issue cause I don't think they knew enough they thought of it as more an evil spirit/spiritual warfare, but they did understand that I was going through a crisis and since prayer was the only way they truly knew how to offer emotional and spiritual support; I'm glad that they prayed for me.”-Anonymous
“My parents didn’t understand or want to believe me and then tried to make me feel bad by telling me how much they do for me. My friends were understanding and helped me find potential resources to use.”-Anonymous
“With love, support, curiosity (wanting time to know more to understand my experience better”-Anonymous
“It was well-received, and advice was given in return.”-Anonymous
“They gave me advice and helped me through my problems.”-Anonymous
“Everyone encouraged me to seek help and to go to therapy except my parents. I ended up going to therapy for some months but it took years and many trips to the hospital and emergency center for it to happen.”-Anonymous