Cultural Consultation: A Model of Mental Health Service for Multicultural Societies

Abstract

C ulture shapes the experience and expression of emotional distress and social problems in myriad ways (1,2). To accurately diagnose and treat patients from diverse back

Creating a cultural analysis tool for the implementation of Ontario's civil mental health laws

“…133 Given the CCB's wide jurisdiction and its use of a "color-blind" Similar to the theoretical underpinnings of this study, the CRPD appears to be endorsing the social model of disability and an intersectional approach to understanding the realities faced by persons with disabilities. 135 For instance, the preamble of the CRPD states "that disability results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinders their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others" 136 It also recognizes "difficult conditions faced by persons with disabilities who are subject to multiple or aggravated forms of discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic, indigenous or social origin, property, birth, age or other <http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=17>. Also, in regard to Article 12 (4), Canada reserves the right not to subject all such measures to regular review by an independent authority, where such measures are already subject to review or appeal.…”

“…However, some lawyers felt that psychiatrists and other health care professionals were grappling with these issues in the diagnostic process to the best of their abilities, given the time constraints and lack of resources. 136 137 Accordingly, a few lawyers suggested that the culture within psychiatric institutions had to change in order to ensure that health care professionals have the time and resources to address these issues within their capacity assessments. 138 Lawyers agreed that language and communication barriers affected a client's ability to be found incapable vs. capable.…”

Mental Health in a Social Context

“…"a group sharing cultural features different from those of larger society, including a shared language or dialect") addresses issues of core theoretical and empirical concern to the discipline of sociology [97]. Besides exploring dominant contemporary concepts of mental health and their effect on social relationships [98] this subject area also focuses on improving pathways in to mental healthcare for ethnic minority groups afflicted by mental and psychosocial disabilities [99]. With this in mind, it is perhaps unsurprising that culture plays a significant role in shaping the experience and expression of emotional distress and social problems.…”

“…The consensus is that poor access to mental healthcare can be associated with an increased utilization of the police and prison justice system, increased use of crisis and emergency care, increased hospitalization (involuntary), poorer outcomes, and an increased community burden of mental illness [99]. The picture is however complex and dependent on context.…”

“…The picture is however complex and dependent on context. For instance, the reception of the host population, the reasons for migration and the structure of the health system in the host country represent a few of the intersecting variables which may play an integral role and make importing ideas and practice from other countries difficult [99].…”