What Is Multiculturalism? How Culture Shapes Mental Health and Identity

In this article

Multiculturalism refers to the presence of, and support for, multiple cultural traditions within a single society. In Canada, multiculturalism is official federal policy, and Ontario is home to some of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. In a mental health context, multiculturalism matters because culture shapes how we understand ourselves, how we express distress, and what we expect from counselling. At Bayridge Counselling Centres, our therapists work with clients from many cultural backgrounds across Ontario, and we see firsthand how cultural identity influences emotional wellbeing.

The idea of culture and cultural relevance is something that I value greatly. In a society that has been deemed multicultural, which I understand suggests more than one culture, I believe that it is exceptionally important to be aware of how culture influences our lives. That is, culture influences our lives often without our recognition of it. You do not have to be West Indian to feel the influence of Caribana on your life and the lives of those around you. You do not have to be someone who appreciates punk rock, or reggae music to feel the powerful influence of these musical styles on individual’s lives and culture. I believe, as an individual in our society, it is my obligation to the individuals around me and to myself to be as sensitive and inquisitive as possible to their culture.

How Multiculturalism Shapes Upbringing and World View

Culture and religion have had a huge influence on my life. I grew up in a particularly multicultural city in Ontario, and I am a mixed-race individual. The differences I had experienced in my life between the families that I grew up in, the friends that I had, and the school I learned in, have had a very pronounced influence on the individual that I am today. I have learned to be curious about others because my life was so different from many of the important individuals in my life.

Why Cultural Curiosity Matters in Counselling

If I could leave you with anything important following your reading of this article, it would be a suggestion to encourage you to be curious about the way others live and understand the world. It is extremely important that quick judgment is ameliorated by inquisitiveness and self-reflection if we as individuals want to foster cultural acceptance.

In therapy, this curiosity is foundational. A culturally aware counsellor does not assume that one framework fits all clients. Whether you are exploring family expectations, navigating identity as a mixed-race individual, or working through challenges shaped by cultural values, the therapeutic relationship benefits from openness and humility. At Bayridge Counselling Centres, our team includes Registered Psychotherapists, Registered Social Workers, and other regulated health professionals who work with clients across Ontario to explore how culture, identity, and mental health intersect.

Tristan Price, B.A. (Hons.), MSc. (Candidate)

Office(s):

Focus: Individual, Couple and Family Therapy; Therapy with Adolescents; Cutting; Couple and Family Communication; Anxiety; Anger; and Depression.