Reprinted from the Don't Erase Me: Why culture matters in mental health issue of Visions Journal, 2026, 21 (3), p. 4
Visions has always tried to be a trailblazer in elevating the voices of folks with lived experience in British Columbia. This issue that you are about to read, “Don’t Erase Me: Why Culture Matters in Mental Health,” focuses on integrating the experiences and stories of those who may not have been at the forefront of storytelling in the past, but who make up some of the rich diversity of our province. Belonging to a collectivist community (a term that appears often in this issue), my culture and heritage influence my view on health, and I always try to bring that perspective to my role as Managing Editor when shaping topics and selecting contributors. Rather than working in individual silos to support different groups, this issue hopes to inspire systemic change by ensuring culture is embedded in all aspects of care.
As the Guest Advisor for this issue, Dr. Saira Sabzaali, puts it, there is a delicate disconnect between colonial healthcare systems from the realities of people it serves. A common theme in this issue is that when people seek help, they rarely show up alone; their communities, heritage and traditional healing practices follow. So, culture shouldn’t be an add-on but, rather, foundational to how healthcare systems are set up. Kara Ko in her article urges readers to move away from the notion that culture only belongs to certain groups and reaffirms that “no one is culture-less.” So, by adding in cultural competency practices, healthcare systems are strengthened to the benefit of everyone.
Indigenous scholars have been at the forefront advocating for more holistic approaches to health, including integration of culture and cultural humility practices. Dr. Sheila Blackstock outlines three domains for this: identity and belonging, safety and trust and systems transformation. Articles in this issue can relate to these domains, from Roshni Clinic integrating elements of South Asian identity and language to the importance of institutional buy-in to support Black students at SFU, you’ll read about how different programs, people and professionals define “culture.” I hope this issue successfully showcases that when cultural-competency strategies, cultural-humility frameworks and culturally-responsive programs are included, no one is erased.
Definitions from HeretoHelp’s Culture, Mental Health, and Substance Use:1
Culture: includes sharing a set of values, beliefs, traditions and sense of belonging.
Cultural Humility: the ongoing process of learning from others and reflecting on your own biases, assumptions, and privileges so you can build authentic partnerships and correct power imbalances.
Cultural Competency: the knowledge to interact effectively with people from different cultures and places and is generally achieved by learning about values, customs, beliefs, and other important factors.
About the author
Bakht Anwar is one of Visions Managing Editors and Leader of Health Promotion and Education at the Canadian Mental Health Association’s BC Division.
