cultural competence skills

Description: Follow Pacific Instructions…Only APA style, cite and scholarly articles only

As clinical social workers, your clients will often represent many different cultures.  Each culture brings with it a rich history and belief system which may be expressed in various “unique” ways. This unique manifestation may be interpreted as acceptable within your client’s culture while being viewed as “unacceptable” in another’s culture. How different cultures address individuals living with mental illness also vary. This often presents a challenge for social workers who navigate the difference between unhealthy behaviors versus cultural beliefs.

As such, stigmatization often becomes a central issue while working with clients and understanding the role of culture within diagnosis and intervention.  In many cultures, individuals are not only stigmatized but also rejected, thus becoming isolated. This is often a result of lack of information, understanding and underlying cultural beliefs.  Thus, cultural competence skills become critical when working with individuals diagnosed with a mental illness.

As a clinical social worker, you need to be cognizant of the fact that people from different cultures have different viewpoints about mental illness. This will help you form effective relationships with the clients and their family members from various cultures and produce effective interventions.

For this Assignment:  Search the literature for an article on cultural factors focusing on mental illness and analyze the intervention provided in the article.  Then, think how you would apply cultural competence when working with clients diagnosed with a mental illness.  Refer to the “Cultural Formulation Interview” in the DSM-5 while considering applying cultural competence when working with clients with mental illness.  Finally consider the possible barriers you may face when working with clients from a different culture while addressing a mental health diagnosis.

Post by Thursday: 12pm (please use these as headings for your response)

1) A summary of the article

2) Explain the approach used in the article for addressing cultural influences of individuals with mental illness

3) Explain how you might use the “Cultural Formation Interview” in the DSM-5 to apply cultural competence skills while working with clients

4) Explain how acculturation affects an individual psychologically and socioculturally, and then decide a strategy you would implement to help with the process

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