Culturally Safe Practice and Mental Health Assessment

This article discusses the impact of recent life events on Justin's mental health and well-being. It also explores the differences in cultural interpretation of mental illness and how it can affect communication with patients. The article suggests ways to develop partnerships for recovery and highlights the areas of concern and priorities of care planning for Justin. Finally, it discusses the importance of culturally safe care for Aboriginal patients.

ASSESSING MENTAL DISORDER 1
Culturally Safe Practice and Mental Health Assessment
The Course Name
Professor
Name the University
The City and State
The Date

ASSESSING MENTAL DISORDER 2
Describe how his recent life events might impact Justin's health and well-being.
When he was growing, Justin had a vision that one day he would look for a job and be able to
support his family the best way he could. In high school, Justin did not do very well as he describes
himself as "not clever." As a result, other students laughed at him and bullied him from his race. When he
was 15 years old, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This made him feel disappointed in
himself and pitied himself for he thought that this had shuttered his dream of helping his diabetic parents.
In his eleventh year of schooling, his father was hospitalized, and this forced him to drop out of school.
This made him go looking for casual jobs, which he has been doing since then.
A couple of years later, his uncle died. He was a very close friend to him, a mentor, a role model
and like a father to him. Therefore, losing him had a significant impact on Justin's life. After his uncle's
burial ceremony Justin goes to his house and continuously grief for the loss. He stays in his room mostly,
refrain from social contributions and participation. He also stops quit the transportation job that he had
recently acquired. He develops a feeling of anger, despair, hopelessness, worthlessness and this result in
clinical depression. Besides, Justin loses appetite and this result in a massive loss of weight within a short
period. He later develops a suicidal thought as he feels that his family would be better off without him.
After his mental health assessment in the local Health Centre, Justin is referred to the City
General Hospital for further treatment. He, therefore, leaves his family and the community and goes to
the city. This makes him feel as if he was a disappointment to his relatives and the community as he was
supposed to be there for them and supports them – especially his parents due to their diabetic conditions.

ASSESSING MENTAL DISORDER 3
How might Justin’s cultural interpretation of mental illness be different from your
own
Unlike Justin’s culture, my community has a cultural belief that associate mental illness
with evil spirits. They believe that any person who is mentally ill could either be possessed by an
evil spirit or has abused drugs such as bung. A traditional healer is therefore called upon such an
occurrence to determine if the cause of the illness. If it's found that possession causes the disease
by an evil spirit then, the person is excommunicated and sent to unique traditional healers for
specialized treatments. If the cause is found to be the misuse of drugs, the person is sent to a
rehabilitation Centre for the appropriate procedures. In both cases, these people are said to be
violent and capable of causing harm to the community members.
My attitudes and values towards mentally ill people could impact communications
with Justin.
Negative attitude and stigmatization of people with mental disorders are prevalent among
people, in any community. That is, whenever one comes across mentally hill people, he/she tends
to look down onto them. This person may act whirred doe to the perception that he/she has
towards mental illness. Take my case for example. Where I come from, the community associate
mental disorders with evil spirits and drugs. Therefore, anyone growing up in such setup may
tend to despise people who are mentally ill.
Having grown up in a community where they believe that mental illness is either caused
by the evil spirits or the abuse of substances such as drugs and that people with mental disorders
are often violent and very dangerous, I would find it very difficult to communicate with Justin.
Even if I found myself in a situation where the professionalism suggests that I must talk with him

ASSESSING MENTAL DISORDER 4
during the assessment, I would still do it, but be taking caution. This, therefore, could give me a
tough time in establishing good rapport or a good therapeutic relationship with the patient. This
could consequently make Justin to be either less cooperative or not cooperate at all. This would
lead to ineffectiveness in the therapy process.
Developing and maintaining partnerships for Justin and family to enhance
recovery.
In enhancing recovery in the condition of Justin, development, and maintenance of good
relations and partnership with his family (Twizeyemariya, Guy, Furber, & Segal, 2017). To
achieve this, a couple of things should be done. Among these things is, the fact that his family
should help him to get back to his usual commitment to cultural activities, responsibilities and to
pass on the law. Justin's immediate and extended relatives should ensure to contribute to making
resolutions regarding his long-term therapeutic plan. Justin suffers from T2DM and also has
recently suffered mental illness and require a well-established treatment plan, for his quick
recovery (Wall-Wieler, Roos, Bolton, Brownell, Nickel, & Chateau, 2018).
Besides, Justin's family should support him in the case at any point he likes to get the
services of a traditional healer. In reaching the most appropriate people in the community to
give him the help he requires, his family should play a crucial role. His family should also help
him in getting a good and well-paying job. Finally, in ensuring a quick recovery of Justin, his
family should gradually reduce his medication once his mental health returns normal (Nugent,
Jopling, Degenhardt, & Eslami, 2016).

ASSESSING MENTAL DISORDER 5
Effects of Justin leaving his home for the city, on the family and community
Justin goes his home to the town in search of proper medication for his mental health
conditions. This he does after he was recommended to do so by Dr. Tony Whitehouse, at the
AMHS. In the City general hospital, during his assessment, Justin is asked if he would like to
receive the treatment from a traditional healer, but he declines (Boka, Joober, & Kirmayer,
2015).
In supporting his answer, Justin says that he has done bad things that are against his
cultural beliefs and as a result, he feels ashamed of himself. For this matter, he feels he cannot
face his cultural heal. It is therefore right to say that some of the things Justin has done –
including seeking medical attention from another source rather than from his traditional healer,
are considered cultural implications. Accepting to have therapeutic sessions which involve
assessment by female nurses is among social and cultural impacts (Boksa, Joober, & Kirmayer,
2015).
Ensuring culturally safe care for Justin in the hospital
After he has been hospitalized, Justin’s cultural beliefs must be put into consideration
before any step is taken towards treating him. In ensuring this, the medic in charge has a role to
play in learning some of the critical things that are relevant in treating Aboriginal patients. This
is readily achievable through interacting with Justin and learning from him, of his expectations
and his cultural beliefs regarding treatment procedures. Also, the nurses in charge should allow
Justin to participate in planning and deciding his treatment procedures and therapeutic sessions
(Boksa, Joober, & Kirmayer, 2015).

ASSESSING MENTAL DISORDER 6
Areas of concern and the priorities of care planning for Justin
From the Indigenous Risk Impact Screen, Justin is found not in the category of people
who are at risk of drugs or alcohol abuse. However, the significance of the risk of mental illness
or somewhat psychological disorder forms an area of interest. As he is further assessed in AMHS
and later in the City general hospital, Justin expresses a feeling of sadness in the mornings, he
also reveals the sense of desperation as he believes that he must suffer diabetes in future,
according to his beliefs. He also admits that at times, he has thought of committing suicide
though he says he lacks the courage to do so. As a result, the doctors find it necessary to keep
him in regular checks (Bell, Bayliss, Glauert, Harrison, & Ohan, 2018.).
Communication Strategies are allowing the health professional to talk with Justin in
a culturally safe and recovery focused manner.
In ensuring that they observe Justin’s cultural ways and maintain their focus on his
recovery, the professionals in this context have employed some many communication skills.
Among these communication skills is the first listening habits: - this is manifested in the way
these professionals take notes of everything that Justin says for future reference. Another strategy
employed in this context is the respect: - whenever Justin is not in the mood to converse, the
professional leave him for a while and then come back to continue with the session when he is
ready to talk. Friendliness is also manifested as a communication skill in this context. This is
evident when Justin says that the nurses in the City general hospital are so kind to him and treats
him nicely. Finally, empathy is expressed as a communication skill in this context. This is

ASSESSING MENTAL DISORDER 7
manifested in the way these professionals try to understand the feeling of Justin, and as a result,
they tend to show the necessary care for him (Bell, Bayliss, Glauert, Harrison, & Ohan, 2018).
Justin’s state after 3-months of hospitalization and the required support after he is
discharged.
After being hospitalized for three months, Justin’s condition has significantly improved.
The suicidal thought seems to have faded away, and he has agreed he was unwell. However, he
is sure that his family and community shall help him in retaining his health in the future. He
claims to have missed his relatives and his friends back at home. As a result, he says that he
would go to his home after he is discharged from the hospital. He also has a plan to get back his
past job as he tries to look for a more reliable position in the future. To meet all the desires,
Justin needs to ensure to attend all his outpatients’ appointments with all the professional
recommended for him. He should also allow the family members to help where possible and
whenever necessary (O'donnell, Maclean, Sims, Morgan, Leonard, & Stanley, 2015).
The impact of this case on me.
From the story of Justin, I have learned that various communities have different perception
towards multiple things in life. One's culture may affect the mental well-being; thus, I should treat
each person –regardless of their psychological state, with the respect and care they deserve. This
case has also help me realize the importance of seeking proper medication irrespective of socio-
cultural constraints and beliefs.

ASSESSING MENTAL DISORDER 8
References
Bell, M.F., Bayliss, D.M., Glauert, R., Harrison, A. and Ohan, J.L., 2018. Children of parents
who have been hospitalized with psychiatric disorders are at risk of poor school readiness.
Epidemiology and mental sciences, 55(7) pp.1-13.
Boka, P., Joober, R. and Kirmayer, L.J., 2015. Mental wellness in Canada's Aboriginal
communities: striving toward reconciliation. Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience: JPN, 40(6),
p.363.
Charoensook, J., Hoang, J.L., Lee, R.J., Elliott, A. and Chang, M., 2016. 3.37 ASIAN-
AMERICAN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT UTILIZERS OF COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 55(10),
p.S154.
Hong, P.S., Leventhal, B.L., Sullivan, A.A., Kim, B., and Kim, Y.S., 2016. 3.38 AUTISM AND
MENTAL ILLNESS IN A KOREAN-AMERICAN EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY: A
MIXED METHODS APPROACH. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent
Psychiatry, 55(10), p.S154.
Nugent, S.M., Jopling, E.N., Degenhardt, A. and Eslami, A., 2016. 3.39 FETAL ALCOHOL
SPECTRUM DISORDER IN ABORIGINAL YOUTH: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF
PRESENTATIONS TO CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY EMERGENCY. Journal
of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 55(10), p.S154.
O'Donnell, M., Maclean, M.J., Sims, S., Morgan, V.A., Leonard, H. and Stanley, F.J., 2015.
Maternal mental health and risk of child protection involvement: psychological health diagnoses
associated with increased risk. J Epidemiol Community Health, 69(12), pp.1175-1183.

ASSESSING MENTAL DISORDER 9
Parker, R. and Milroy, H., 2014. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health: an
overview. Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing
principles and practice. 2nd ed. Canberra: Department of The Prime Minister and Cabinet,
22(5), pp.25-38.
Parker, R. and Milroy, H., 2014. Mental illness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Working Together, 66(3), pp.65.
Roos, L.E., Distasio, J., Bolton, S.L., Katz, L.Y., Afifi, T.O., Isaak, C., Goering, P., Bruce, L.
and Sareen, J., 2014. A history in-care predicts unique characteristics in a homeless population
with mental illness. Child abuse & neglect, 38(10), pp.1618-1627.
Torrey, E.F., Jaffe, D.J., Director, M.I.P.O., Geller, J.L. and Lamb, R., 2015. Fraud, Waste, and
Excess Profits: The Fate of Money Intended to Treat People with Serious Mental Illness. Mental
Illness Policy Org. 47(6), pp.47-58.
Twizeyemariya, A., Guy, S., Furber, G. and Segal, L., 2017. Risks for mental illness in
Indigenous Australian children: a descriptive study demonstrating high levels of
vulnerability. The Milbank Quarterly, 95(2), pp.319-357.
Wall-Wieler, E., Roos, L.L., Bolton, J., Brownell, M., Nickel, N. and Chateau, D., 2018.
Maternal Mental Health after Custody Loss and Death of a Child: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Using Linkable Administrative Data. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 63(5), pp.322-328.