these individuals with consideration to their cultural values and beliefs. One barrier to treatment that is often identified is that of language, to address this issue clinicians should try to offer an Arabic language translator (Ahmed, 2007). This ensures that the client is able to effectively communicate his or her needs with the provider, and ensures they get the most out of their sessions. Another potential barrier is that in the Muslim culture psychotherapy is not a religiously or culturally accepted channel of support, therefore they will often seek mental health services as a last resort and will do so with reluctance (Ahmed, 2007). It is vital that clinicians are aware of this stigma, and acknowledge that the client may present with …show more content…
As the Muslim population continues to grow in the United States it is important that counselors are trained in the background of these individuals and the knowledge needed to assist them. Due to this lack of representation of the Muslim American population, these individuals are more reluctant to seek mental health services, as they feel the providers have a lack of knowledge in how to treat them. In the Muslim culture there is also stigma and shame associated with seeking mental health services, making it less likely that they will seek out the help of a mental health professional even when they truly need it. To combat these issues, psychological providers can try to make the Muslim community more aware of the services they offer and the best way to access them. One way of doing so would be actually go into their communities and give presentations in the Mosques or at community mental health fairs. This assures that they are provided with the information and resources needed in a format that is understandable to them and in an environment where they feel safe and …show more content…
Gaining knowledge in each of these areas will allow clinicians to provide mental health treatments to the Muslim American population in a way that coincides with their own values and beliefs. Muslim Americans represent a population that have faced a great deal of discrimination in the United States and could truly benefit from a better understanding of what it is they represent as a cultural group. Providing them with culturally competent mental health services will help them to cope with stressors of acculturating into a new
Cuéllar, I., & Paniagua, F. A. (2000). Handbook of Multicultural Mental Health : Assessment and Treatment of Diverse Populations. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Culture can be defined as behaviors exhibited by certain racial, religious, social or ethnic groups. Some factors in which culture may vary include: family structure, education, and socioeconomic status (Kodjo, 2009). Some may think cultural competence is something that has an end point, however, when the big picture is seen, it is a learning process and journey. From the writer’s perspective, the client-therapist relationship can be challenging. Culturally competent therapists must realize that behaviors are shaped by an individual’s culture. Many changes are taking place within the United States cultural makeup. Therapists and healthcare professionals are being challenged to provide effective and sensitive care for patients and their families. This type of culturally sensitive care requires the professional to be open and seek understanding in the patients diverse belief systems (Kodjo, 2009).
What is Grief? Merriam-Webster ‘s online dictionary defines grief as, “deep sadness caused by someone’s death; a deep sadness; and/or a trouble or annoyance”(n.d.). This term may have a different way of impacting one’s life depending on geographical location; culture plays an important role in how those that experiences a loss or hardship, cope with grief. After further research, a closer look will be taken at the five stages associated with grief and loss, how Hindu and Islamic Muslim culture deal with death, and how cultural differences may impact the stages of grief.
Due to the endless efforts and research of certain foundations and individuals, the ideas and functions of mental health have improved significantly. The advancements made in the field are impressive and without them, humankind would not be the same. Yet then why do only fewer than eight million people who are in need of help seek treatment? National Mental Health Association, 2001. The history, stigmatization, and perception of mental illness are some of the many reasons behind that alarming statistic.... ...
Culture has a huge influence on how people view and deal with psychological disorders. Being able to successfully treat someone for a mental illness has largely to do with what they view as normal in their own culture. In Western cultures we think that going to a counselor to talk about our emotions or our individual problems and/or getting some type of drug to help with our mental illness is the best way to overcome and treat it, but in other cultures that may not be the case. In particular Western and Asian cultures vary in the way they deal with psychological disorders. In this paper I am going to discuss how Asian cultures and Western cultures are similar and different in the way they view psychological disorders, the treatments and likelihood of getting treatment, culture bound disorders, and how to overcome the differences in the cultures for optimal treatments.
These issues also include poverty and limited or no access to education, training, mental health and health care resources. Refugees also face persecution and are unable to return to their home in their native country (Villalba, 2009). Mental health counselors need to understand the impact of trauma on their refugee clientele, as they may include physical torture and mental abuse in nature. According to Sue and Sue (2013) counselors will need to address the most salient concerns of refugees, which include safety and loss. The possibility of being, or having been, mentally abused and physically tortured has an impact on their ability to stay in the hosting country. Counselors will be dealing with post-traumatic stress from their client. Equally important is for the counselor to assist the refugee in understanding issues of confidentiality. For Muslim immigrants and refugees, counselors should consider national policies during the counseling process. For example, the two Sudanese sisters’ were able to resolve their religious practice of wearing the hijab and securing employment in a beneficial way. As an advocate for the sisters and other Muslim refugees, it would be helpful to provide them access to resources that educate them in antidiscrimination policies that can protect them against hate crimes and legal resources that can help them seek asylum. In essence, culturally competent practices for counselors working with immigrants and refugees begin with understanding their worldviews, as well the national and international legal issues that confront their
Once an immigrant proceeds to receive help, they may be faced with cultural and language barriers as well. To eliminate these barriers for immigrants, there needs to me major adjustments to the services that are set out to help them. There are many flaws within mental health services that make it harder for immigrants to approach and achieve the help that they need. There has been a fair amount of research done into what changes and recommendations can be done to improve the services. There is a need for more culturally sensitive mental health education programs that will encourage immigrants to learn more about their mental health.
Certain labels the western culture has can vary tremendously and may even be non-existent in different cultures. Labeling for example is not accepted in certain cultures, for example in Muslim communities having a mental health condition is associated with a negative stigma and access to the sick role for mental health is not accepted. In return this stigma causes people to not even seek care or treatment. Such as seen in the study conducted by Oman, Al-Adawi and colleagues (2002) found that groups believed that mental illness is caused by spirits and rejected genetics as a significant factor. In the same study, both groups endorsed common stereotypes about people with mental illness and affirmed that psychiatric facilities should be segregated from the community.(3) This stigma in itself shows that different cultures do not have the same attitude and acceptance of the DSM’s labels, which results in different ethnocentric approaches to handle mental illness, labeling people and the access to health care for these
The two largest religions in the world, Christianity and Islam, were implemented by two of religions most powerful leaders, Jesus and Muhammad. Without question, both Jesus and Muhammad have affected humanity powerfully. As religious leaders both men laid down the principles upon which Christianity and Islam are founded yet today. However, while Jesus performed miracles and arose from the dead, thus proving to his followers he was God, Muhammad performed no such feats, and made no such claims. In fact, Muhammad’s only claim was that he was the last prophet sent from God.
I can distinguish between, various disorders and their impact on the patient such as Bipolar affective disorder and the distinct stages of mania and affect, the patient is presenting with, exposure to mental health disorders as an extension of the individual including symptoms and presentation has significantly contributing to my understanding of the mental health. the diversity and range he along the spectrum has increased my understanding as well as treatment services such as TMS AND ECT Although the analysis demonstrates the success of religious integration in group therapy and cohesion, it is necessary to consider individuals from other religions and those who are not religious or atheist. Sigurdardottir’s et al. (2016) wellness program may have shown prominent success due to the program leaning towards general activities such as yoga, art therapy and relaxation exercises with a focus on mind and body, irrespective of religious affiliation. Likewise, Tutty, Bubbins-Wagner and Rothery’s (2015) evaluation of the 14-week therapy program, You’re Not Alone also demonstrated improved mental wellbeing of the participants based on the interventions like character building, positive reinforcement and active role play which highlighted aggressive, abusive characters and the typical behaviours in relationships. the ability to interatw with a patient,
Another issue addressed by the American Psychological Association is the new spectrum of patients. This includes migratory workers, international workers, immigrants, temporary immigrants, undocumented immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and international students. These clients present various issues to their counselors regarding culture shock, acculturation, assimilation, uprooting, language barriers, economic, housing, and medical problems. Many counselors that these clients can afford to enlist for help are not well cultured in addressing their cultural issues. Cultural competency is another large scale
F. Hasan, Asma Gull (2000). American Muslims; The New Generation. New York. The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc.
Insofar as therapists and patients have different reference groups, all encounters may be considered cross-cultural. If this perspective is endorsed, then one may indeed consider cultural competence to be essential to overall clinical competence. Therapists should strive for cultural competency by acquiring both generic and specific cultural knowledge and skill sets. Various generic cultural issues may occur at each phase of psychotherapy, and specific cultural knowledge guides their resolution.
We are fast becoming a multicultural, multiracial, and multilingual society. The recently released 2000 U.S. Census reveals that within several short decades, persons of color will become a numerical majority. These changes have been referred to as the “diversification of the United States” or literally the “changing complexion of society.” The need to become culturally competent in mental health practice has never been more urgent (Psychological treatment of Ethnic Minority Population. Council of National Psychological Associations for the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Interests).
My specific task for the practicum was to develop a mental health component for Project RICE. I carried out my assignments under the supervision of a faculty member; Dr. Smith. Dr. Smith is a Professor of Applied Psychology. Dr. Smith conducts research on the impact of immigration, community contexts, individual differences, and racial minority status on the mental health of individuals and families.