Cultural and family contexts for help seeking among clients with cannabis, other drug and mental health issues

Abstract

The impact of coexisting cannabis use and mental health issues is well documented and the challenges extend to accessing adequate health care. This research investigates the family and cultural contexts for help seeking among clients of specialist mental health or drug and alcohol services experiencing these coexisting issues. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with clients of either mental health or drug and alcohol services in Sydney and Wollongong. Clients interviewed had coexisting mental health and cannabis use issues, and came from a range of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Workers from these services were also interviewed. Key themes from client interviews included cultural background being deeply embedded in the context of family, the negative reactions of some family members towards their mental health issues and drug use, being displaced from family, and services not adequately engaging with family and strengths drawn from one's culture during challenging times. Among clients, it was found that the impact of cultural diversity on the experience of accessing health services was as diverse as the attachment and subjective experiences of culture itself. There is some way to go in building clear and navigable pathways to treatment for people with cannabis use and mental health issues, particularly as these pathways relate to cultural inclusiveness.

Keywords:

• cannabis
• mental health
• cultural diversity
• family

Acknowledgements

This project was funded by NSW Health, through the NGO Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Research Grant Program, with this grant being administered by the Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (NADA). The authors would especially like to thank the respondents and collaborating organisations for their participation. The authors would also like to thank the following: Feona Cowlin, for her valuable assistance in recruitment and interviewing; the members of the project advisory group; NADA and the Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC); the New South Wales Population and Health Services Research Ethics Committee; Area Health Services' Research Governance Officers; and other management and staff, who assisted in the project administration and recruitment processes, in addition to Rachel Rowe, for review of the article.

Notes

1. In 2012, the term “culturally and linguistically diverse” is more commonly used.