MH and Culture Flashcards
1
Q
What is culture?
A
- Collective thoughts, experiences and behaviours of a group in society (Rose, 2000)
- BBQ’s, thongs, beer and cricket are probably aspects of Australian culture, however they’re also lifestyle choices rather than expressions of culture (Procter et al, 2016)
- Not exclusive to race, ethnicity, nationality as cultures may also exist as a result of other groupings: Nurses, FIFO workers, groupings of religion or other social demographics.
- Socially defined and dynamic (ever changing), although often rooted in the history, beliefs and customs shared by groups of people.
- Influences our identity, values and behaviours.
2
Q
Cultural Diversity in Australia
A
- Multi-culturalism is now a defining feature of Australia
- Over 30% of Australians identify themselves as being born overseas.
- 2.5% identify as Indigenous Australians
- Australians speak more than 300 languages (50 of which are indigenous).
- 23.8% of Australians speak another language at home.
3
Q
Culture and Mental Illness
A
- Cultural heritage can influence susceptibility to mental illness.
- Indigenous people are at an increased risk of mental illness. This is thought to be because of the impacts of colonisation and ongoing inequalities in health.
- Refugees who may be traumatised by persecution, war, natural disaster, or simply isolation in a new culture without loved ones and support.
- People from cultures that are linguistically diverse (CALD), may feel isolated or marginalised by society.
- Socio-economic groupings may be at an increased risk of mental illness, eg: FIFO workers.
4
Q
Cultural Interpretations of mental illness.
A
- Different cultures define and respond to mental illness differently.
- Australian mental healthcare is defined by western culture.
- Medical model, which defines illness as an internal disease
- The need to “control” certain elements of society.
- The concepts of autonomy, personal responsibility and “duty” to care.
- Indigenous cultures believe that mental illness comes from external sources rather than internal disease.
- Maori peoples believe that mental health is influenced by a balance of four domains: mind, spirit, family and the physical world.
- Some cultures still interpret mental illness as a weakness of morals, personality, possession by evil forces or being “paid back” for wrong doing.
- Often cultures interpret what constitutes a serious mental illness differently
5
Q
Cultural Safety & Competence
A
- Cultural competence is a requirement of all Australian health professionals (AIHW, 2006)
- Cultural “safety” is identified by the person receiving the care. A person feels culturally safe if they believe their culture and beliefs are being respected and not threatened by health carers.
- This is often at odds in mental healthcare, where the interpretation of illness is often influenced by societal norms which might conflict with the worldview of others.
6
Q
Cultural competence requirements
A
- Aware of, respects and accepts difference
- Flexible and responsive to the unexpected.
- Willing to learn and undertake CPD
- Willing to work with ambiguity
- Able to manage the dynamics of difference
- Confident in working with people from CALD backgrounds
- Able to advocate for people from diverse cultures.
