Achieving cultural competency in mental health training and practice

Abstract

Purpose -The population of the USA consists of a culturally diverse mix of individuals, many of them recent immigrants, from a wide range of ethnic and racial groups. Given an increasing multicultural and multilingual population, an urgent need for cross-cultural community and health services, and for culturally competent practitioners, has emerged in the profession of mental health. The reality of that diversity raises two crucial implications: the profession needs more culturally competent practitioners to work with multicultural service-users; and the clinical assessment and treatment of the population has become more challenging and complex. This paper seeks to explore vital cultural components in training mental health practitioners to work with multiethnic groups. Design/methodology/approach -A qualitative and purposive methodology with structured interview questions was employed to gather data for analysis. The process of data analysis included line-by-line transcription of each interview and then the data were coded and categorized. Professors, experienced clinicians, and researchers in the multicultural field were interviewed for data collection.Findings -The findings were organized into four essential components in achieving cultural competency in mental health training. Attitudinal components: cultural appreciation, learning curiosity, assumption free, and cognitive flexibility; emotional components: emotional knowledge, reflective ability, worldview knowledge, and cultural alertness; intellectual components: cultural knowledge, single culture, and clinical knowledge; and integrative practice components: cultural engagement, integrative assessment, and integrative intervention process. Originality/value -The findings contribute to an expanded understanding and integration of major cultural elements in mental health training and practice.

Strength-based crisis programming: Evaluating the process of care

“…Rather, cultural competency (i.e. the understanding of cultural mores, values, and beliefs) among practitioners has been found to be a vital component of effective practice in the mental health professions (Kwong, 2011). While a number of models have been put forth to develop the knowledge of practitioners on this topic (e.g., Abreu, Gim Chung, & Atkinson, 2000;Carpenter-Song, Schwallie, & Longhofer, 2007) Page 34 of 56 A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 33 empirical evidence on frameworks that actuate these principles to practice is required.…”

Educating business students to manage for mental health

“…Indeed, workplace mental health training often reflects relatively conventional approaches to understanding mental illness. Although there are obvious merits to this, various authors have identified the importance of understanding diversities in responding to potential mental health concerns (George et al , 2015; Kwong, 2011; Nayar et al , 2009).…”

Assessment of Care for Cultural Competence in Healthcare Services: A Systematic Rewiev of Qualitative Studies

“…In the examined articles, besides the direct expression of cultural sensitivity in the examined articles, expressions including subcategories such as cultural awareness, cultural understanding, respect for cultural norms and values, trust relation and honesty, and interest without prejudice were frequently encountered in addition to direct expression of cultural sensitivity. It is also emphasized that cultural sensitivity is an unalterable challenge to culturally competent care [5,6,14,20,30].…”

“…Specialists emphasized the need to know religious practices and health beliefs while respecting the cultural identities and, need to respect the cultural identities and therapeutic preferences of individuals. Also, it has been suggested that personnels should be encouraged to see a different culture from a different perspective and it has been stated that maintenance should be continued with an objective and sensitive approach [14,30].…”

“…Language also expresses the cultural heritage of an individual and is a source of identity and pride. Accordingly, establishing and maintaining a professional therapeutic relationship depend on the ability of the practitioner to communicate effectively with the client and on language skills [30]. Language barriers play a crucial role in creating culture shock that culture shock has a number of negative consequences, such as discomfort, feelings of helplessness, frustration and…”