Cultural Comparison Assignment Directions and Grading
Assignment Title: Cultural Comparison between The U.S. and (pick a country)
Objective: The purpose of this assignment is to critically examine the relationship between culture and mental health in a country outside of the United States. Students will explore how mental health is understood, addressed, and treated within a specific cultural context and identify some similarities and differences in comparison to the United States.
Assignment Description: Each student will choose a country outside of the United States (U.S.) and identify a specific culture within that country (e.g., Indigenous group, ethnic minority, or dominant cultural group). The focus of the paper will be on understanding mental health through the lens of cultural beliefs, traditions, stigma, treatment modalities, and institutional support. Students will compare and contrast these aspects with the U.S.
Paper Requirements:
Length: 150 words for each section.
Format: APA (7th edition) formatting, including in-text citations and a reference page. Refer to Owl Purdue Links to an external site.
Sources: Minimum of 4 scholarly sources (peer-reviewed journal articles, professional websites, or credible reports).
Structure: Use each of these headings!
Introduction (100 words) 5 points
Briefly introduce the selected country and culture.
State the purpose of the paper.
Cultural Analysis of Mental Health (150 words) 15 points
Write about the cultural beliefs about mental illness, its causes, and who provides treatment.
Highlight societal attitudes and beliefs surrounding mental health and wellness.
Discuss the availability to mental health diagnosis and treatment. Who has greater access and who does not?
Mental Health Treatment and Institutional Support (150 words) 15 points
Examine the mental health care system available in the chosen country.
Identify dominant treatment approaches (e.g., traditional healing, modern psychiatry, community-based support, religious interventions).
Discuss government policies and involvement in the mental health care system.
Comparison to the United States (150 words) 10 points
Identify some similarities with the U.S.
Identify some differences in comparison with the U.S.
Conclusion (150 words) 15 points
Summarize the key findings.
Reflect on how cultural context influences mental health perceptions and treatments.
Provide final thoughts on the importance of cultural awareness in global mental health.
References: 5 points
Proper use of APA citations and references.
Include a title page
Use 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri font, double-spacing, and 1-inch margins.
Cite all references in APA 7th edition format and include a reference page.
