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Original poster

To wonder Why some poorer Asian countries seem to have “better” mental health than richer European countries

60 replies

Aqus · 19/08/2025 10:11

I have travelled extensively in Asia especially South east and have noticed people tend to have little financially but better mental health while it seems opposite in rich countries in Europe and US.
I always wonder why that is? I think one of the factors is their culture about families supporting each other and concept of big families and extended family being there to support in bringing up children and looking after elderly. Another factor seems like sunshine and weather.
What are your thoughts on this?

OP posts:
frozendaisy · 19/08/2025 10:26

What you didn’t see behind closed doors @Aqus

There are theories that because people in the west have more time to sit around and think the brain makes stuff up basically.

CreationNat1on · 19/08/2025 10:26

Hierarchy of needs, if you preoccupied with daily survival, you don't have too much time or energy to over-analyse.

Nelliemellie · 19/08/2025 10:24

There are hardly any welfare benefits so able bodied men and women have to work, there is no pension in India so you see a lot of elderly working, or being supported by their children. Also some countries don’t report poor mental health.

Holluschickie · 19/08/2025 10:22

Simonjt · 19/08/2025 10:17

You haven’t travelled much in Pakistan then have you? Find me a genuinely happy woman living in poverty.

This is true. Poverty is very over romanticised. The family steps in because there is no help from the state.

Holluschickie · 19/08/2025 10:20

I am a second gen immigrant from one such poor country and the support I have got from my parents has been incredible. And the support other family members get. Having said that, such family support and very high expectations - excelling in education, no smoking or drinking or sex- would be seen as controlling by most here.
And it goes both ways. I will be moving my mum in with me in the future. My dad died in his own home. That would be unacceptable to many.

hotblacktea · 19/08/2025 10:17

under-reporting of MH issues in many developing countries, not nearly enough doctors and MH specialists

also "saving face" as a hugely important part of the culture means people are less likely to report or seek help for MH issues

Simonjt · 19/08/2025 10:17

You haven’t travelled much in Pakistan then have you? Find me a genuinely happy woman living in poverty.

HoskinsChoice · 19/08/2025 10:17

How do you 'notice' an entire nation's mental health?

CrispySquid · 19/08/2025 10:16

A lot of it will be to do with how mental health is defined or given credence to in different countries/cultures. There will be lots of people in these countries who have live in comparatively worse conditions measured by every metric but are much happier, or at least less discontent and overly introspective.

RochelleGoyle · 19/08/2025 10:13

Meant to say, less culture of materialism, entitlement and greed.