Culturally competent theory and practice have been substantially integrated into many aspects of the mental health care system. The early embrace of cultural competence by the mental health care field makes it a model for the alcohol and other drugs field. We offer a select bibliography of works from the mental health field which consider how cultural competence principles can guide approaches to trauma and loss and children’s mental health.
Youth Mental and Behavioral Health Resources
This page includes scholarly articles, factsheets, and links to youth behavioral and mental health resources.
General Mental Health
Community Integration Tools: Cultural Competence in Mental Health
The UPenn Collaborative on Community Integration is a Rehabilitation Research & Training Center Promoting Community Integration of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities, funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. For more information, please visit us at: http://tucollaborative.org
Trauma and Loss
Developing Cultural Competence in Disaster Mental Health Programs
US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
A guide to help states and communities in planning, designing, and implementing culturally competent mental health services for survivors of disasters.
Webinars on Violence and Mental Illnesses
Violence and Mental Illnesses: Myths, Facts, and how Mental Health First Aid can help.
A webinar developed by Mental Health First Aid that shows how substance abuse impacts the levels of violence in and out of specific communities, and how MHFA can help.
Understanding Mental Illness: Session Four: Understanding Substance Use Disorders
Developed by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, a webinar dedicated to training people how to support those who are undergoing difficulties in their lives due to AOD use. More webinars are available at: http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/cs/what_you_learn/webinars
Resources by Population
Mental Health in Asian American Communities
This paper aims to present recent data on the profile of Asian Americans in the US, summarize the extent of mental health need and utilization by this population, discuss barriers to mental health care, and present community-driven recommendations for improving mental health access and treatment with cultural and linguistic considerations. Where possible, information about specific ethnic groups and segments of the population will be presented to reveal the diversity of experiences and needs of this heterogeneous group.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment for People with Cognitive and Physical Disabilities
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Offers treatment providers guidelines on caring for people with physical disabilities or cognitive disabilities, as well as drug abuse or alcohol abuse problems. Discusses screening, treatment planning and counseling, and linkages with other service providers.
Brief Reports: Psychiatric Illness and Substance Abuse Among Homeless Asian-American Veterans
Objectives: This study examined the proportion of Asian Americans among homeless veterans and among veterans in the general population to calculate the relative risk of homelessness among Asian-American veterans. It also examined differences in rates of psychiatric and substance use disorders between homeless racial and ethnic subgroups. Methods: Data were gathered between 1997 and 2001 from the Health Care for Homeless Veterans program and included data from administrative intake, patients’ self-reports, and clinicians’ diagnostic assessments of substance use disorders and psychiatric illness. Results: Data were examined for 67,441 veterans. Asian-American veterans had a significantly lower risk of homelessness than veterans of other ethnic groups. Alcohol abuse was significantly and consistently less prevalent among Asian Americans compared with blacks and Hispanics. However, drug abuse was less prevalent among Asian Americans than among blacks and Hispanics, but rates were similar to those of whites. Conclusions: Lower rates of alcohol abuse may protect Asian-American veterans from becoming homeless. (Psychiatric Services 57:704-707, 2006)
