Improving cultural responsiveness in mental health services: development of a consensus around the role of cultural portfolio holders

Abstract

A range of service development initiatives has been implemented in Australia to improve the cultural responsiveness of mental health services. In Victoria, cultural portfolio holders (CPHs) are responsible for leading service development activities that address the needs of individuals and families from different cultural backgrounds. The aim of this research was to obtain consensus from CPHs around how their role contributes to improving the cultural responsiveness of mental health services. Information from a literature review and a focus-group discussion with 13 CPHs was used to develop a survey. All CPH network members were then invited to participate in an online study that collected background information and consisted of two surveys. Consensus was reached regarding 42 statements. These concerned activities undertaken by CPHs within services and with other organisations, the position of CPHs within organisational structures and the potential for further developing the CPH role. Cultural portfolio holders have the potential to lead service reforms that can improve an organisation's cultural responsiveness. To do so they require the support of organisation-based leaders and a statewide transcultural mental health service.

Keywords:

• cultural competence
• cultural responsiveness
• cultural portfolio holders
• immigrants
• ethnic minority
• CALD
• mental health services
• Australia

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the CPHs who took part in this study. This project was supported with a grant from St Vincent's Hospital Research Endowment Fund.

Notes on contributors

Erminia Colucci is a registered Psychologist (Italy) and holds a PhD in Cultural Psychiatry (Australia). She is Research Fellow at the Centre for International Mental Health (School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia). Currently she is also completing an MPhil in Ethnographic Documentary (Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology, University of Manchester, UK).

Prem Chopra is a Consultant Psychiatrist at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne. He graduated with MB BS (The University of Melbourne) in 1993, MSc (Health Policy and Management) (University of Wollongong) in 1999 and MP (The University of Melbourne) in 2003. He completed his MD (The University of Melbourne) in 2008. His clinical interests are in transcultural psychiatry and psychiatric rehabilitation.

Susan McDonough is a registered Occupational Therapist, holds a MA (Research) in Anthropology and is an Education and Service Development Consultant at Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (formerly Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit), St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne.

Nadya Kouzma is a registered Psychologist and works at Victorian Transcultural Mental Health as Education & Service Development Consultant. Nadya holds an Honorary Fellow position with the Centre for International Mental Health (School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne).

Harry Minas is Director of the Centre for International Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Director of Victorian Transcultural Mental Health and was until recently a member of the Council for Immigration Services and Status Resolution, which advises the Immigration Minister.

Notes

1. The experience of the Transcultural Psychiatry Unit at Bradford, UK, is a salient one in this regard, in that the service was initially developed to provide a consultation service to members of CALD communities in the late-1970s. Despite providing an important service, this service was closed in 1999, when it was perceived that the work of the service should be ‘mainstreamed’ into general mental health services (Fernando, 2005).