Fostering Understanding, Connection, and Well-Being Across Generations This Festive Season.

Chinese New Year is a time for celebration, togetherness, and honouring shared
traditions. It brings families together under one roof, creating opportunities for
storytelling, laughter, and reflection. Yet, these moments of connection can also
highlight differences—particularly regarding attitudes towards mental health.
For some, mental health is viewed through the lens of resilience and quiet
perseverance, shaped by cultural values and life experiences. For others, it is a topic
to be openly discussed and prioritised, part of a broader shift towards emotional
awareness and individual well-being. These differences are not conflicts but
reflections of the unique journeys each generation has taken. With empathy and
understanding, these perspectives can complement each other, creating a richer and
more supportive family dynamic.
A Tapestry of Perspectives
How mental health is perceived, discussed, and addressed often varies across
generations, rooted in the cultural, historical, and personal contexts that shaped their
lives.
1. The Strength of Lived Experience
For older generations, mental health may be tied to resilience and collective
responsibility. Growing up in economic or social upheaval, they often prioritise
stability, family harmony, and pragmatic solutions to challenges. Emotional struggles
were addressed through action, self-discipline, or communal support, focusing less
on labelling or explicitly addressing feelings.
2. The Advocacy of Younger Generations
Younger generations, shaped by growing mental health awareness and access to
information, tend to see mental health as integral to overall well-being. They are
more likely to use terms like “stress,” “anxiety,” or “boundaries” and advocate for
therapy, self-care, and emotional openness. This shift reflects an effort to normalise
mental health discussions and break down stigma, but the language and approach
can sometimes feel unfamiliar or unnecessary to older relatives.
3. Language and Shared Values
The gap between these perspectives often lies not in intention but in communication.
Older generations may express emotional struggles regarding physical well-being,
such as feeling “overwhelmed” or “exhausted,” while younger ones may lean on
psychological vocabulary. Bridging this gap requires recognising that these
differences are not a lack of understanding but a reflection of how mental health is
framed within cultural and generational contexts.
The Challenge of Festive Gatherings
Chinese New Year, focusing on family and tradition, naturally brings these
generational differences to the forefront. Questions from elders about life
milestones—marriage, career, children—can feel intrusive or stressful to younger
family members. Meanwhile, older relatives might perceive younger generations’
focus on mental health as overly individualistic, prioritising personal well-being over
family unity.
While understandable, these tensions offer a chance to build deeper
connections. By navigating these differences with sensitivity and care, families can
create an environment where all voices are heard and valued.
Bridging the Mental Health Gap
1. Recognise the Value of Collective Narratives
Family gatherings are more than celebrations; they are opportunities to share and
honour the stories that bind us. Older generations bring wisdom and lived
experiences that reflect resilience and community, while younger family members
offer fresh perspectives and insights. Families can create a stronger collective narrative by recognising these contributions as complementary rather than conflicting.
For instance, you might say:
"Your advice about handling stress stuck with me—it’s made me think about how to
balance things in my life better."
2. Focus on Shared Values
Both generations share a desire for harmony and well-being. Framing mental health
discussions around these common goals can make the topic feel less divisive.
For example:
"I’ve been learning to manage stress to be more present and enjoy these moments
together. It’s made me think about how we can all stay healthy for each other."
3. Meet Each Other Where You Are
Adapt your language to your audience. With older relatives, avoid jargon or overly
clinical terms. Instead, talk about well-being, balance, or staying calm. Similarly,
younger family members can ask questions and listen actively to understand their elders perspectives better.
4. Lead by Example
Show, don’t just tell. Share how prioritising your mental health has positively
impacted your relationships, energy, or focus. Demonstrating these benefits creates
a natural invitation for others to consider their well-being.
5. Respect Boundaries
Not every conversation has to delve deeply into mental health. If someone isn’t
ready to engage, respect their comfort level and revisit the topic when it feels right.
The goal is to create space for connection, not force a dialogue.
Fostering Connection Across Generations
Chinese New Year is a celebration of shared traditions, family unity, and hope for the
future. It is also a reminder of the value of connection—not just in the present but
across time and generations.
Older generations offer the strength of their lived experiences, carrying wisdom
shaped by resilience and community. Younger family members bring fresh insights,
challenging norms and opening doors to new conversations about well-being.
Together, these perspectives weave a richer, more supportive narrative that honours
the past while embracing the needs of the future.
A Celebration of Understanding
As families come together to celebrate amidst vibrant traditions and festive warmth, it
is worth remembering that the heart of Chinese New Year lies in connection. By
embracing empathy, curiosity, and respect, we can bridge generational gaps,
creating an environment where every family member feels valued and understood.
This festive season, let the conversations flow, the stories be shared, and the bonds
strengthened. In doing so, we celebrate the traditions that bring us together and lay
the foundation for a more connected and compassionate future.
Restoring Peace is a private mental health centre which provides counselling and psychotherapy
services for children, adolescents, youths, adult individuals, couples and groups with anxiety,
depression, trauma, grief and various mental health and relationship challenges. For more
information, please visit www.restoringpeace.com.sg or WhatsApp at +65 8889 1848. For periodic
updates, we invite you to join our telegram group: https://t.me/restoringpeace.
Additional Read:
Sources:
Mental Health Foundation. (n.d.). Why the language we use to describe mental health matters. Retrieved from
Cigna Singapore. (n.d.). Mental health stigma in Asia. Retrieved from https://www.cigna.com.sg
YoungMinds. (n.d.). How to talk to older generations about mental health. Retrieved from
Keywords: Generational mental health, family mental health dynamics, bridging mental health gaps,
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