I'm 3rd-generation white Australian and I often find the dominant culture around me completely alien and incomprehensible.

It often gets me wondering, when people talk about cultural rifts between non-white 'mentally ill' citizens who don't seem to gel with our western society and/or it's mental health practices, whether we are really talking about a cultural rift, or something on a more individual level.

Do we, the aliens to 'normal' society have more in common then we give ourselves credit for? Do we overemphasize the role that ethnicity/background plays in the rifts between us and others?

I'm not trying to downplay or cast sceticism on the unfavorable experiances of non-white people. I know that there is racism, prejudice and inconsidderateness out there in the world and mental health system.

But I can state from experiance that feeling like an alien; being utterly confused by the reigning culture; feeling descriminated against and judged are not problems that are solely confined to non-white people. I'm white and I find it hard to imagine how the world around me could possibly be any more alien or incompatable with me.

EDIT: Sorry. I hope I'm not intruding, or whitesplaining, or anything like that. I'll bow out if I'm not wanted here.🙂