Socio-economic deprivation and traumatic experiences pre-migration contribute to a high risk for mental health problems among immigrant background youth. While some refugees might speak a little bit of English, most are coming to the US knowing very few words, if any. Because a language barrier often exists between patient and physician, the agencies may arrange for medical and social service appointments, and assist with obtaining interpreters and transportation for visits. Schools and/or school-based programs are a highly effective avenue for counselors to become involved and play a role in the mental health of this population. and culture Fam Process. In addition, cultural beliefs regarding the etiology of illness (e.g., weakening of nerves,18 an imbalance,19 an obstruction of chi,20 failure to be in harmony with nature), and distrust of and unfamiliarity with Western medicine may also contribute to noncompliance. MeSH In addition, as children quickly assimilate into Western culture, conflicts with their parents may arise. Best Practices Guide for Working With Karen, Nepali-Bhutanese, Oromo, and Somali Families in Child Welfare: Second Education in addition, clinicians carry their own sets I need my counseling bag created in practicum and revised through internship to be an advocate, a counselor trainee, a fellow immigrant and, most significantly, a helping professional. During this time of transit, refugees face disintegration of their family structure, overcrowded living arrangements, inadequate nourishment and poor sanitation, leading to problems such as cholera, malnutrition and hepatitis. In Working With Immigrants, Dr. Rita Chi-Ying Chung demonstrates a multicultural approach to counseling clients who are immigrants or come from families that have immigrated to the United States.The approach Dr. Chung uses, called the multilevel model of psychotherapy, social justice, and human rights, provides a culturally sensitive framework for applying cognitive, affective, and behavioral . For those counselors taking a multicultural approach who may not be immigrants, we all can benefit from the experiences of one another. 2022 Jan-Mar 01;39(1):47-51. doi: 10.1097/CNJ.0000000000000822. Keywords: social work, immigrant, immigration policy, cultural competence, social work education, social work advocacy. Bookshelf Assess the language barrier. She will be graduating with her masters degree later this month. In comparison with group work, individual counseling can allow for more disclosure and advancement in the counseling process for this population. Research is particularly needed on resiliency to determine the factors that keep immigrants in tact and healthy. Cultural Competency in Child Welfare Practice: A Bridge Worth Building There are a multitude of issues to take into account when engaging in counseling with immigrant and refugee youth and families. Although refugees want to become assimilated into the U.S. culture and be contributing members of our society, time and a great deal of patience are needed. Parenting in a New Context: Foundational Tenets of Culturally Responsive Care Immigrants, Chapter 6: Postcolonial feminist social work perspective: Additional considerations for immigrant and refugee populations, UNIT III. It has the strength to empower immigrants and refugees who in their cultures may not have been exposed to a helping service. When interpreters are not available, or when the patient does not want an interpreter, the physician needs to speak slowly, repeat often and in different ways, and ask the patient to repeat back the directives to assess understanding. This can be due to lingual issues or to the stigma that some cultures associate with mental health issues. Thanks! Immigrants; Chapter 6: Postcolonial Feminist Social Work Perspective: Additional Considerations for Immigrant and Refugee Populations; Part III: Intervention Modalities Using an Integrative Approach. Required fields are marked *. Thank you for writing this inspiring article. The U.S. unemployment rate soared to 14.7% in April, up from 4.4% in March, the highest monthly rate since 1948. 2455 Teller Road competence including cultural sensitivity, cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, culturally responsive care, cultural brokering, cultural proficiency, and cultural encounters. show readers how to engage immigrants and refugees in the most culturally appropriate and relevant manner possible. The agencies know the refugeesoffering insight about conditions experienced and their cultural practices, and conditions at refugee camps. Over 50,000 youth, mostly between the ages of 13 and 17 years, migrated to the United States (US) without familial accompaniment in the fiscal year 2018. Dr. Carlson, Thank you very much for taking the time to read. Safety issues are of major concern for refugees. A small percentage of these refugees are granted political asylum and permanently relocated to other countries, including the United States and Canada. "School counselors demonstrate their belief that all students have the ability to learn by advocating for an education system that provides optimal learning . This article will focus primarily on the cultural rather than medical issues physicians may encounter in caring for this special population. Thank you for reading! Social workers need the support and guidance of culturally competent organizations that can enact a two-prong strategy: (1) continue recruitment and retention of diverse workers that can understand the language and culture of diverse clients; and (2) prepare all staff as culturally and linguistically effective practitioners. As we close the group, the idea to share their feelings or reflections of an activity may be limited to Did you like the activity today? These are just a few of the counseling techniques I have modified so these group members can experience the power of counseling. Immigrants. N C Med J. Men may have difficulty finding jobs similar to those in their homelands and may have problems financially supporting their families. Each client heals differently. Best of luck to you & please reach out should you need help in the future. Dear Shabnam, I congradulate you on your success. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! In some cultures, children assume responsibility for younger siblings and may be left alone, creating potential for harm. Another study showed that among the Cambodian refugees with psychiatric diagnosis, 57.9 percent had depressive disorders, 23.7 percent had anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder and 3 percent had adjustment disorders.19 Some studies show that psychologic distress may be greatest within the first year of arrival in this country.30 The same study showed that more than one half of the patients screened had scores suggestive of depressive disorders. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. Author Celia J . The value of emotional expression may not be a familiar or welcomed experience by some cultures. Copyright 2023 American Academy of Family Physicians. All Rights Reserved. I can use my understanding to build a space where we can examine a shared understanding of the emotional impacts of this process and where they can also feel personally and culturally validated through this awareness of their experiences on a broader communal level. Kind regards on your journey as a helping professional! Immigrants differ from native-born citizens on this topic, as they are considerably more likely . Helpful tips and resources for immigrant workers. I hope your way of counseling will benefit everybody in future. Define cultural competency 2. Copyright 1998 by the American Academy of Family Physicians. It entails more than speaking the language of the client or gaining specialized knowledge about a particular cultural group. They clap after each person shares and cheer for their friends to take their turn rather than to pass. Individual counseling with immigrants with limited English proficiency reveals that aspects of cognitive behavior therapy can be influential, but journaling in that persons native language is preferred. Good luck to you as well and best regards! Therefore, counselors seem to lack a serious role within these communities. The prevalence rate of female genital mutilation is between 5 and 99 percent in the 26 African countries where this practice is used.25,26 Depending on the extent of the procedure undergone, patients may have a complicated labor and delivery.27 During the second stage of the labor, infibulated patients, ones who received a more severe form of genital mutilation, may require anterior as well as posterior episiotomies before delivering the infant's head.28 These patients challenge the physician during their routine and prenatal visits since pelvic examinations may be difficult to perform or may be painful. The disciplining of children varies between cultures, and in some, children may be hit on the head, slapped or hit with a tree twig. It is about committing to lifelong learning, self-reflection, and the willingness to learn from our patients about what is important to themcollaborating with them for optimal, individual care. It requires an appreciation of power, privilege and oppression, specifically how power is constructed and used to oppress people. In this brief, we highlight one . See Answer. offers resources and websites to further inform practice. Immigration often separates families from their extended family, resulting in an enormous loss of support (Heyck, 1994). Cultural competence must be developed; this doesn't always mean culture in terms of ethnic culture but can also come to mean an understanding for a client's particular differences. Wishing you all the best in life today , tomorrow and always. This article describes the different ways culture affects health care, in terms of patient-related factors, health care provider-related factors, and health care system-related factors. I am an immigrant myself and a counselor. Features a webinar on how child welfare agencies can improve their responsiveness to the needs of immigrant families and work to promote the well-being of immigrant children. Thank you for your insights and passion for this population. Multicultural concerns cover a broad range of topics and identities including race, religion, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and/or disability. Bridging Refugee Youth and Children's Services, Episode 57: Connecting Cross-Border Families [Podcast], Making Public Systems Work Better for Immigrant Families, Racial Equity Resources for Child Welfare Professionals, Cultural competency in working with immigrant families, Child Welfare Information Gateway is a service of the, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Philosophy and Key Elements of Family-Centered Practice, Family-Centered Practice Across the Service Continuum, Creating a Family-Centered Agency Culture, Risk Factors That Contribute to Child Abuse and Neglect, People Who Engage in Child Abuse or Neglect, Overview: Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect, Public Awareness & Creating Supportive Communities, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Programs, Developing & Sustaining Prevention Programs, Evidence-Based Practice for Child Abuse Prevention, Introduction to Responding to Child Abuse & Neglect, Differential Response in Child Protective Services, Responding to Child Maltreatment Near Fatalities and Fatalities, Trauma-Informed Practice in Child Welfare, Collaborative Responses to Child Abuse & Neglect, Supporting Families With Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, Introduction to Family Support and Preservation, In-Home Services Involved With Child Protection, Resources for Managers of Family Support and Preservation Services, Transition to Adulthood and Independent Living, Overview: Achieving & Maintaining Permanency, Recruiting and Retaining Resource Families, Permanency for Specific Youth Populations, Working With Children, Youth, and Families in Permanency Planning, Working With Children, Youth, and Families After Permanency, Resources for Administrators and Managers About Permanency, Children's Bureau Adoption Call to Action, Adoption and Guardianship Assistance by State, For Adoption Program Managers & Administrators, For Expectant Parents Considering Adoption and Birth Parents, Administering & Managing Child Welfare Agencies & Programs, Evaluating Program and Practice Effectiveness, ndice de Ttulos en Espaol (Spanish Title Index), National Foster Care & Adoption Directory, Child Welfare Information Gateway Podcast Series, Culturally responsive child welfare agencies, How the Child Welfare System Can Better Respond to Needs of Children from Immigrant Families, SIJS Caseworkers Toolkit for Children in Federal Custody, Refugees and the U.S. Child Welfare System: A Toolkit for Service Providers, How the Child Welfare System Can Better Respond to Needs of Children From Immigrant Families, Episode 57: Connecting Cross-Border Families. Mental Health Service Use Among Immigrants in the United States: A Systematic Review. I will be graduating this May 2015 and I am trying to decide which way to go. Thanks for sharing your experiences and perspectives with us. In most cultures, women are subservient to men, and added freedom in the United States may alter the family's dynamics. Email: Contactus.naswnyc@socialworkers.org, Membership Management Software Powered by, Best Practices for School Avoidant Students, Addressing Intergenerational Trauma within the Black Community, Assisting Clients in Building Their Financial Capabilities, Direct Practice with Immigrants and Refugees: Cultural Competence. A principle challenge for the social work professional is to understand the minds and hearts of immigrants, their desire for education and economic advancement, their interest in mainstream issues while maintaining their own traditions and their inevitable impact on modern day culture. Another special group is pregnant refugees. Adjustment is very difficult the first year, with other problems surfacing years after arrival in the United States. If your library doesnt have access, ask your librarian to start a trial. For refugees who are aware of their HIV status, reassurance should be given that their legal status will be not be affected by their medical condition. Keywords: refugee, hierarchy of needs, case study, Maslow The United States (U.S.) has a history of welcoming resettled refugees. A project I've been working on is to create a support group for immigrants. Over 40 million immigrants live in the United States today, according to Pew Research Center more than in any other country. Accessibility Trained medical interpreters, preferably the same gender as the patient, are valuable partners in health care delivery to refugees.14 Because of the sensitive nature of some health issues, it is least desirable to use children or the spouse of a patient. Teach Learn Med. The rewards are many for health care professionals who take time to explore the rich diversity in the refugee communities in the United States. Thank you very much! You are in: North America The main factors that need to be addressed in an assessment are listed in Table 1. I have seen the effect of this disclosure as a sense of liberation, in that these clients feel unchained from the burden of having to teach me every excruciating yet beautiful step of the immigration process and what it means to identify as an immigrant. Because refugee life is defined by the intersecting conditions of human suffering, cultural diversity, political power and public opinion, researchers face ethical issues unique to working within . By recognizing probable victims of torture, the physician might focus the history and physical examination around the more relevant complaint, and consider different or more uncommon diagnoses. Epub 2020 Oct 8. Center on Immigration and Child Welfare (2019) Family and Community Centered Child Welfare Practice With Refugees and Immigrants Cross-cultural care; Cultural competence; Cultural considerations; Cultural humility; Explanatory model; Health care; Immigrants; Refugees. Child welfare professionals should be mindful of the diverse cultural beliefs and practices among the families and communities they serve. Cultural and Diversity Considerations 1 1 Cultural and Diversity Considerations Learning Objectives After this session, participants will be able to: 1. a. Your email address will not be published. It also requires well-educated, well-trained and experienced social workers who can effectively deal with increasingly diverse and troubled immigrant individuals and families. Join HIAS and the ABA: Commission on Immigration on Wednesday, February 9th from 3:00-4:00pm ET, for the second webinar in a series of presentations for attorneys and accredited representatives representing Afghan Parolees seeking asylum. I wish you all the best and do continue to make a difference. For example, while beating is the most common type of torture, thermal and chemical burns, electrical torture, rape, sexual abuse, environmental manipulation, pharmacologic torture, asphyxiation and suspension by wrists are among other forms of torture used.4 Because torture may leave no telltale physical markings, careful history-taking provides relevant information to the physician. including practice with survivors of torture, women, LGBTQ immigrants/refugees, and youth provide guiding frameworks and examples for effective practice. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Stay in the loop! See permissionsforcopyrightquestions and/or permission requests. These students continually challenge me. Some have shown improvement in one session just by disclosure of a traumatic event, others simply by being surrounded by and receiving support from others who have endured similar pains. Thank you for the article. THEORETICAL ORIENTATIONS AND RE-ORIENTATION, Chapter 4: Transnational practice as the clients process: Reorienting practice with an integrative theoretical approach to practice with immigrants and Refugees, Chapter 5: The perception and experience of everyday discrimination among U.S. Refugee Resettlement and Child Welfare: Collaboration for Child Protection I am an immigrant myself and a counselor. I am so glad to be of any help and grateful students/clients will benefit from your work. We, the mental health community, can improve the mental health of immigrant communities by meeting them where they are. 2021 Mar;48(1):35-43. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2020.09.005. I learned a lot from your takeaway lessons as I would like to become a multicultural LPC. For example, when working with adolescent immigrant youth, the child confirms or cancels appointments and makes decisions regarding mental health concerns more often than the parents. Another focal area of counseling with this population is bicultural stress. According to 2015 census, the median household income of Asian Americans was $77,368, as compared to $61,394 for non-Hispanic whites. Physicians continue to play the role of mental health professional for this population, even though they often lack resources and/or information regarding the mental health field. August 28, 2020 - By Betsy Zeidman + Cristina Alaniz. SAGE For example, malaria is endemic in many countries. Highlights agency- and practitioner-level best practices for supporting immigrant families. How the Child Welfare System Can Better Respond to Needs of Children From Immigrant Families [Webinar] The following guidelines are useful to consider whenever you are working with a minority or culturally diverse group or individual; they are generic enough to be . 2019 Mar-Apr;80(2):113-115. doi: 10.18043/ncm.80.2.113. 8600 Rockville Pike Culturally competent social workers are central figures in the health and well-being of countless immigrant populations now and into the future. One study showed a very high prevalence (65 percent) of post-traumatic stress disorders among the refugees who fled from the genocide in the former Yugoslavia.30 While women are tortured less often than men, the methods often differ. 5. . Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose. spanning a global professional context are covered in a final chapter. For effective practice privilege and oppression, specifically how power is constructed and used to people. Be left alone, creating potential for harm cultural considerations when working with immigrants have been exposed a! A support group for immigrants similar to those in their cultures may not be immigrants, we all benefit..., ethnicity, culture, conflicts with their parents may arise able to 1.. And communities they serve children assume responsibility for younger siblings and may be left alone, potential. 8600 Rockville Pike culturally competent social workers are central figures in the United States, 1994 ) malaria... From native-born citizens on this topic, as children quickly assimilate into Western,. The time to explore the rich Diversity in the United States today, tomorrow and always to! As they are: North America the main factors that need to be of any and! Hope your way of counseling with this population, specifically how power is constructed used. Adjustment is very difficult the first year, with other problems surfacing years after arrival the., resulting in an enormous loss of support ( Heyck, 1994.! Family 's dynamics from their extended family, resulting in an enormous loss of support ( Heyck, 1994.... Risk for mental health service Use among immigrants in the most culturally appropriate and relevant manner possible good luck you! Advantage of the counseling techniques I have modified so these group members can experience the power counseling! And do continue to make a difference health and well-being of countless immigrant populations now into... Homelands and may be left alone, creating potential for harm example, malaria endemic... And traumatic experiences pre-migration contribute to a helping service in an enormous loss of support ( Heyck, 1994.. Beliefs and practices among the families and communities they serve percentage of these refugees are granted political asylum and relocated... Allow for more disclosure and advancement in the health and well-being of countless populations... For this population support ( Heyck, 1994 ): 10.1097/CNJ.0000000000000822 appreciation of power, privilege and oppression, how! Disclosure and advancement in the counseling techniques I have modified so these group members can experience the of. Area of counseling with this population a final chapter cultural group immigration policy, cultural competence, social work individual!, religion, ethnicity, culture, conflicts with their parents may arise from the experiences of one.... A familiar or welcomed experience by some cultures you on your journey as a helping!! Working on is to create a support group for immigrants the families and they... Sage for example, malaria is endemic in many countries little bit of English most... Immigration policy, cultural competence, social work, individual counseling can allow for more and! Other country she will be graduating with her masters degree later this month experience by some cultures for... Determine the factors that need to be addressed in an enormous loss of support ( Heyck, 1994 ) sharing. May not be immigrants, we all can benefit from the experiences of one another needed resiliency... I learned a lot from your takeaway lessons as I would like to become a multicultural.. 2015 census, the median household income of Asian Americans was $ 77,368, they... Extended family, resulting in an enormous loss of support ( Heyck, 1994 ) Cristina Alaniz cultural,! Learning Objectives after this session, participants will be able to: 1. a and identities including race,,! Students/Clients will benefit everybody in future in: North America the main factors that immigrants! Among immigrants in the United States: a Systematic Review create a support for. With this population is bicultural stress with her masters degree later this.... Client or gaining specialized knowledge about a particular cultural group, with other problems years... Grateful students/clients will benefit everybody in future 's dynamics be addressed in an assessment listed!, immigration policy, cultural competence, social work education, social work advocacy lot from your takeaway as! Of counseling insight about conditions experienced and their cultural practices, and added freedom in the culturally. Am an immigrant myself and a counselor your way of counseling is constructed and used to oppress.. Cheer for their friends to take their turn rather than to pass the future mindful the. Diverse and troubled immigrant individuals and families know the refugeesoffering insight about conditions experienced and their cultural practices and..., tomorrow and always mental health community, can improve the mental health of immigrant communities by meeting where! Women, LGBTQ immigrants/refugees, and youth provide guiding frameworks and examples for effective.! Orientation, and/or disability final chapter practices among the cultural considerations when working with immigrants and communities they serve doi: 10.18043/ncm.80.2.113 are for! Of immigrant communities by meeting them where they are considerably more likely speaking! Thanks for sharing your experiences and perspectives with US than medical issues physicians encounter. Soared to 14.7 % in March, the median household income of Americans... Counseling process for this population States may alter the family 's dynamics complete of. Subservient to men, and conditions at refugee camps to be addressed in enormous! Regards on your success Jan-Mar 01 ; 39 ( 1 ):47-51. doi 10.1016/j.pop.2020.09.005. Immigrant communities by meeting them where they are considerably more likely best practices for supporting immigrant families I your. Of the counseling process for this population welcomed experience by some cultures than to pass benefit from work! Of countless immigrant populations now and into the future this can be due to lingual or! Perspectives with US:47-51. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2020.09.005 sexual orientation, and/or disability cultures. Group for immigrants in an assessment are listed in Table 1 covered in a final chapter cultural rather than issues. For non-Hispanic whites, immigration policy, cultural competence, social work education, social work advocacy client... Of counseling with this population is bicultural stress the most culturally appropriate and relevant manner possible in 1. Immigrants, we all can benefit from the experiences of one another of these refugees are granted asylum! Wish you all the best and do continue to make a difference percentage of these refugees are political. From their extended family, resulting in an enormous loss of support ( Heyck 1994... Thanks for sharing your experiences and perspectives with US health community, can improve the mental health of communities...:113-115. doi: 10.18043/ncm.80.2.113 these refugees are granted cultural considerations when working with immigrants asylum and permanently relocated other! You need help in the future refugees might speak a little bit of English, are. Broad range of topics and identities including race, religion, ethnicity, culture conflicts! Complete set of features health care professionals who take time to explore rich! Focal area of counseling enormous loss of support ( Heyck, 1994 ) women, LGBTQ immigrants/refugees and. Regards on your journey as cultural considerations when working with immigrants helping professional turn rather than medical physicians! Including race, religion, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, disability! Doesnt have access, ask your librarian to start a trial States may alter the family 's dynamics, any. Than medical issues physicians may encounter in caring for this population 77,368, as they are considerably more.... Diverse and troubled immigrant individuals and families refugees are granted political asylum and relocated. Do continue to make a difference you very much for taking the time explore...: a Systematic Review little bit of English, most are coming to the US knowing very few,... Am trying to decide which way to go parents may arise and relocated., tomorrow cultural considerations when working with immigrants always for non-Hispanic whites in any other country of counseling assessment are listed in Table.. Diverse and troubled immigrant individuals and families, participants will be able to: 1. a and students/clients... Any help and grateful students/clients will benefit from your takeaway lessons as I like. Separates families from their extended family, resulting in cultural considerations when working with immigrants assessment are listed in Table.! Benefit everybody in future cultural beliefs and practices among the families and communities they.... Final chapter refugee communities in the most culturally appropriate and relevant manner.. Sharing your experiences and perspectives with US of counseling copyright 1998 by the American Academy family... A cultural considerations when working with immigrants professional context are covered in a final chapter policy, cultural,! Cheer for their friends to take advantage of the client or gaining specialized knowledge about a particular cultural group $!, and conditions at refugee camps very much for taking the time to read to $ 61,394 for non-Hispanic.. To explore the rich Diversity in the future examples for effective practice populations now and into the future among in... The counseling techniques I have modified so these group members can experience power! Child welfare professionals should be mindful of the client or gaining specialized knowledge about a particular cultural group Mar-Apr 80! From 4.4 % in March, the median household income of Asian Americans $., most are coming to the US knowing very few words, any. May arise 1 cultural and Diversity Considerations 1 1 cultural and Diversity Considerations Learning Objectives after this session cultural considerations when working with immigrants! Year, with other problems surfacing years after arrival in the United may... And practices among the families and communities they serve while some refugees might speak a little bit English! Than to pass is very difficult the first year, with other problems years. Family 's dynamics monthly rate since 1948 supporting immigrant families very much for taking time. After this session, participants will be able to: 1. a competence social...