A systematic review that broadens the conceptualization of cultural diversity would offer benefits to the field by extending our understanding of the utility of cultural competence trainings for a range of cultural identities, which include those based on race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic class, ability status, immigration status, among others. These reviews have significantly advanced our understanding of cultural competence trainings; however, there remain opportunities to build on their contributions and expand the impact of the literature. Across fields, the literature is growing at a rate that facilitates systematic reviews regarding cultural competence trainings (e.g., Beach et al., 2005; Benuto et al., 2018; Chipps et al., 2008; Clifford et al., 2015; Lie et al., 2011; Price et al., 2005; Truong et al., 2014).

Other professionals may earn a Statement of Participation for completing this program.

The internalization of stigma can significantly influence an individual’s self-perception and willingness to seek help. Stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness contribute to the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and misinformation. Non-adherence to treatment regimens can lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes, hinder recovery, and increase the risk of relapse or worsening symptoms.

This finding reflects the interdisciplinary nature of mental health services, which is a context valued by the APA (2017a; 2017b) that both requires psychology’s attention and that represents an opportunity for scientific advancement. Finally, the studies in this review included samples of mental health providers that represented different professional disciplines. Governing associations or accrediting bodies may also play a role in requiring regular cultural competence training (e.g., continuing education requirements). Thus, agencies may consider how to promote and foster ongoing development of cultural competence for practicing professionals through providing and rewarding attendance of cultural competence training opportunities.

Mental Health Services

Participants in rural and regional communities also reported feeling under-resourced with regards to accessing face-to-face interpreters and relied more on telephone services, even though the former communication was preferred. I’m not sure whether it be because of me or because of the interpreter or because of the patient, all three factors…. Such frustrations were most strongly voiced by psychiatrists, who usually had strict consultation times and high patient load.

On the industry level, the lack of diversity in healthcare leadership is dramatic, with 98% of senior management in healthcare organizations being White.4 This https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.202100519 disparity in representation is similarly magnified when looking at minority representation in leadership roles within plastic surgery. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has identified the importance of addressing cultural diversity as part of its professionalism competency, and the Alliance of Continuing Medical Education also devoted lectures at its national annual conference to cultural competency.10 Such measures will help increase awareness in trainees and bridge the gap of competency as they transition from training to practice. To be able to cater to these healthcare needs down the pipeline, it is critical that we begin efforts for attraction and retention of skilled female surgeons and minorities farther up in the pipeline chain. By 2050, it is estimated that 50% of the US population will consist of minorities and unfortunately, today’s model of healthcare has been noted to have persistent racial and ethnic discrepancies.1 Diverse populations require personalized approaches to meet their healthcare needs. It has been proposed that racial and ethnic minorities have unfavorable SDH that contributes to their lack of access to healthcare.

• Students and practitioners lamented that CC training couldn’t be limited or “partitioned off and treated as if it it can be separated’ from other aspects of training.”” Integration across the curriculum was also seen as evidence of commitment to valuing CC by all members of the training program.
• Such attributions can contribute to a sense of shame or blame within the family, exacerbating the stigma experienced by the individual with mental illness.
• The implications span civil rights, public health, medical ethics, and HIV care  —  placing LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender youth, at heightened risk of harm and healthcare exclusion.
• Across 38 studies (90.5%) that reported the discipline or professional fields of participants, study samples included at least one participant who represented counseling psychology (60.5%), clinical psychology (34.2%), social work (34.2%), marriage and family therapy (10.5%), psychiatry (10.5%), or other fields such as nursing (15.8%).

Some researchers have termed this a process multicultural orientation as opposed to competence (Owen et al., 2011), and others have described cultural safety, drawing attention to historical and political contexts that lead to health inequities and the responsibility of the health provider to create safe spaces (Curtis et al., 2019; Kirmayer, 2012b). Serving the mental health needs of Brandon, Florida, and surrounding Tampa Bay communities. Every patient brings a unique personal history that shapes their experience of emotion, health, and healing.