Mental health is one of the most important components of overall well-being. An individual’s emotional state and mind greatly impact their physical health, and even cause physical symptoms and increase the risk for chronic conditions.
Similar to physical ailments, individuals can seek professional support for mental health concerns and disorders. These professionals include counselors, psychologists, and therapists, who can treat, diagnose, and implement strategies for improving a person’s mental health.
Many of these professionals, including those in nursing programs like RN to MSN-FNP online pathways, are seeking additional training to integrate culturally informed care into their practice. Culturally informed care also requires the professional to have cultural competence.
Counseling can profoundly impact the lives of individuals, families, and communities. By integrating culturally informed care in counseling environments, the professional can better build rapport, provide tailored advice, and build trust with their clients.
What is cultural competence?
Cultural competence refers to an individual’s understanding of the standard practices and beliefs of people from different racial or ethnic groups. This also extends to the individual’s willingness to learn, understand, and be open to other cultural perspectives.
Cultural competence also includes the knowledge about specific customs, traditions, religious practices, and beliefs a culture may have. It also extends to a person’s understanding of how values and customs may differ between them and another person’s culture.
Ashlee Wisdom, MPH, CEO and founder of Health in Her Hue describes cultural competence as “care that is given to a patient that takes into account their lived experiences and their social and cultural contexts.”
Wisdom also states that “seeing all aspects of a patient and taking into account things they value” is part of cultural competence.
Cultural competence & culturally informed care
Cultural competence is the foundation for culturally informed care. If a professional isn’t culturally competent, they won’t be able to provide culturally informed care to their clients. Fortunately, cultural competence can be learned.
If you feel as if your counselor or mental health professional isn’t integrating cultural competence into their care, you should speak to them. They may be able to change their approach or recommend a professional who better understands your culture.
The importance of culturally informed counseling
Culturally informed counseling, sometimes also referred to as culturally sensitive counseling is critical to the success of providing effective mental health care. By considering a person’s cultural heritage, it allows the professional to get a stronger understanding of the individual, their emotions, and behaviors.
Cultural sensitivity also goes beyond just race and ethnicity. Mental health professionals providing culturally informed counseling will also take into account the following.
- Disabilities
- Age
- Gender identity
- Socioeconomic status
- Sexual orientation
A culturally competent counselor understands that everything, from a person’s background to their age, sexual orientation, financial status, and any disabilities or chronic illnesses can significantly impact their ability to process emotions and behavior.
Similarly, it’s also important for counselors to be culturally competent when providing advice or strategies for managing mental health conditions or symptoms. By understanding an individual’s culture, the professional can incorporate the person’s cultural heritage, ideals, convictions, and encounters when devising strategies or treatment plans.
For example, cultures around the world view mental health differently or have different expectations about counseling and therapy. If a counselor is culturally competent, they will be able to appropriately address the individual’s expectations and personalize their approach.
Cultural competence is also a valuable tool in therapy and counseling to help professionals cross any cultural boundaries that may exist with their clients. It also helps improve therapeutic outcomes and minimize the risk of miscommunication.
Cultural competence & marginalized groups
Historically, most marginalized groups are at higher risk of poverty, mental health disorders like depression, unemployment, suicide, and stigma about going to therapy. These are unique issues that require a culturally competent mental health professional to understand.
Black Americans
For instance, Black or African Americans are more likely to report negative emotions and symptoms than their white peers but are less likely to receive treatment according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health.
Statistics report that this may be due to the stigma about counseling and therapy that is held within some Black and African American communities. This is also backed by a 2013 study, where 63% of Black Americans reported they viewed mental health as a sign of weakness.
So, in this instance, a culturally competent counselor who understands the nuances and deep complex issues present in African American communities would be able to effectively provide support and destigmatize seeking help.
LGBTQIA+ community
The LGBTQIA+ community includes a wide range of different sexual orientations, gender identities, and races. This diverse group also means it requires culturally sensitive counseling and therapy that can differ greatly between individuals.
Statistics have shown that lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults are twice as likely to describe negative emotions than their heterosexual counterparts. This data comes from a 2016 review.
Similarly, a 2019 review reports findings that show transgender adults are four times more likely than cis-gender adults to have at least one mental health diagnosis.
When it comes to mental health professionals working with transgender or queer individuals, it’s important to be aware of the unique issues their clients may face, and how they can contribute to their mental health symptoms.
The role of mental health professionals
The mental health workforce, which includes counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, plays a crucial role when it comes to promoting and sustaining the mental well-being of people.
Mental health professionals can be found in a variety of environments, including hospitals, clinics, and schools. Emotional well-being is just as important for the healthy development of an individual as physical health is.
The role of a mental health worker will depend on their position. The mental health workforce comes in all shapes and sizes, including:
- Psychologists
- Therapists
- Counselors
- Mental health social workers
- Mental health nurses
- Community mental health workers
- Psychiatrists
- Mental health occupational therapists
Each job in the mental health workforce plays a crucial role in society and helps individuals manage their emotional well-being. For instance, mental health social workers are vital for assessing and assisting people living with mental illness.
Mental health social workers work with these people in a holistic, practical way, to manage their mental health and aid with social factors. This can include housing, employment, and relationships.
