Culturally sensitive mental health services through quality improvement

Abstract

An urban mental health service undertook a quality improvement programme to involve staff in the identification and resolution of cross-cultural issues. The programme involved clinical file audits, staff survey and workshops, and a focus group for consumers and their carers. It was found that non-English speaking patients received a different spectrum of services from English speaking patients. Non-English speaking patients were found to receive more pharmacological treatments and less cognitive behavioural therapy. In seeking to address these issues and improve their service delivery to all patients, the mental health service is now in the process of developing cross-cultural training; revising policies and procedures; and engaging bilingual mental health counsellors in a revision of their roles, particularly to increase their availability to staff as cultural consultants.