Literature Review
My current practicum placement is at ReDiscover Common Ground in Grandview, Missouri. The members (clients) of ReDiscover come from many diverse backgrounds and circumstances. Each member shares at least one common ground, the fact that they all are working towards healthy living with mental illness. Due to the impact that mental health disorders have on each individual many members of ReDiscover are unable to obtain jobs or maintain healthy relationships with others. The staff at ReDiscover works with all members to help them live independently and successfully by coping with their symptoms. As a practicum student I have been doing most of my work with the Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) group. The members I work …show more content…
However, ethnic minorities are less likely to seek treatment for mental health issues in comparison with the majority (Gopalkrishnan & Babacan, 2015). Furthermore, minorities who receive mental health care are more likely to access primary care or emergency rooms rather than be treated by a mental health professional (Kohn-Wood & Hooper, 2014). Hesitation to seek treatment may be influenced by cultural views and stereotypes of mental health and/or mental health professionals. The stereotypes about treatment for mental health held by minority groups may not be so far fetched, “Many of the assumptions of what is normal and what is abnormal that are central to Western therapeutic approaches are based in Western, middle-class constructions that may not be valid when working across cultures” (Gopalkrishnan & Babacan, 2015, p. 7). Additionally, when health practitioners or social workers have biases or stereotypes of the individuals they work with the effectiveness of their provided services is compromised (Huff & Kline, 1999). It is important to remember that “…not all approaches to culturally sensitive practices are sensitive to the diversity of members of the same ethnic minority group” (Chau, Yu, & Tran, 2011, p. …show more content…
Individuals can be culturally competent when serving clients who are similar to them but may struggle with working with clients who are different (Brach & Fraserirector, 2000). “The diversity even within racial or ethnic groups and the complexity of associated subcultures make cultural competency training appropriate for all health system staff, including members of minority groups” (Brach & Fraserirector, 2000, p. 185). Staff must learn to acknowledge their own biases and stereotypes and understand that generalizing their clients will be detrimental to the client’s
My current practicum placement is at ReDiscover Common Ground in Grandview, Missouri. The members (clients) of ReDiscover come from many diverse backgrounds and circumstances. Each member shares at least one common ground, the fact that they all are working towards healthy living with mental illness. Due to the impact that mental health disorders have on each individual many members of ReDiscover are unable to obtain jobs or maintain healthy relationships with others. The staff at ReDiscover works with all members to help them live independently and successfully by coping with their symptoms. As a practicum student I have been doing most of my work with the Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) group. The members I work …show more content…
However, ethnic minorities are less likely to seek treatment for mental health issues in comparison with the majority (Gopalkrishnan & Babacan, 2015). Furthermore, minorities who receive mental health care are more likely to access primary care or emergency rooms rather than be treated by a mental health professional (Kohn-Wood & Hooper, 2014). Hesitation to seek treatment may be influenced by cultural views and stereotypes of mental health and/or mental health professionals. The stereotypes about treatment for mental health held by minority groups may not be so far fetched, “Many of the assumptions of what is normal and what is abnormal that are central to Western therapeutic approaches are based in Western, middle-class constructions that may not be valid when working across cultures” (Gopalkrishnan & Babacan, 2015, p. 7). Additionally, when health practitioners or social workers have biases or stereotypes of the individuals they work with the effectiveness of their provided services is compromised (Huff & Kline, 1999). It is important to remember that “…not all approaches to culturally sensitive practices are sensitive to the diversity of members of the same ethnic minority group” (Chau, Yu, & Tran, 2011, p. …show more content…
Individuals can be culturally competent when serving clients who are similar to them but may struggle with working with clients who are different (Brach & Fraserirector, 2000). “The diversity even within racial or ethnic groups and the complexity of associated subcultures make cultural competency training appropriate for all health system staff, including members of minority groups” (Brach & Fraserirector, 2000, p. 185). Staff must learn to acknowledge their own biases and stereotypes and understand that generalizing their clients will be detrimental to the client’s