Cultural Diversity, Faith, and Mental Issues MISTY HARDING, MS LCMFT THE SALVATION ARMY, WICHITA, KS

Cultural Competence  Culture  person’s beliefs, norms, values, and language  Competence  Ability to work effectively and sensitively within various cultural context.  Honor and respect

Research  Studies have shown people of color;  may not seek formal services,  have less access to services,  have a higher drop out rate from services,  are misdiagnosed more,  seek treatment much later than their counterparts.

STATISTICS  2001 Healthcare Quality Survey  1/3 of Hispanics, ¼ of Asian Americans report problems communicating with their doctors  15% of African Americans, 13% of Hispanics, 11% of Asian Americans report they would have received better health care if they were a different race/ethnicity

Recommendations  Research African American, Hispanic, Asian American, Native, other prominent populations in the area;  Views on Mental Health  Views on Mental Illness  Views of age related issues;  Views of and about seniors, adults, and youth

Faith; an integral piece of culture  Culture: a person’s beliefs, norms, values, and language.  Beliefs  Norms  Values  Language

Faith and Mental Illness  Mental illness is not:  Possession  Demons  Sins of the Father  Retribution  But…some folks think it is…..

Faith and Mental Illness  Healing – a sense of wholeness and peace – process  Cure – restoration to a normal state – an act  Job was healed but not cured.  Suffering is part of the plan  Acceptance brings healing

5 important factors when addressing mental illness with faith  1. Acceptance  2. Spiritual strength  Prayer/meditation  Relationships  Giving and receiving acts of love  Communion with God’s creation  3. Honesty  Strengths and challenges  Meaning and purpose Being a caretaker of a suffering person is a blessing. Connection is the path for God to do His work. A connection can be a deep and meaningful give and take relationship OR a simple unobtrusive presence and witness to the struggle.

5 important factors when addressing mental illness with faith  4. Dissatisfaction  Stages of emotion  Anger  Guilt  Resentment  Grief  Understanding  Acceptance of your role in the process  Dissatisfaction  Dissatisfaction causes the strive to address the present state  5. Prioritize

Recommendation  There is a temptation to turn it over to God  Ask for strength and direction  Seek services and medication  Keep spiritual health equally important  Devine healing is independent of physical health  Spiritual health effects physical health