EXERCISE: Looking ahead
This final reflection invites you to think about how you will apply one idea from this course in your real-life practice — in a way that’s culturally sensitive and relevant.
STEP 1: Choose one technique from the course. Pick one idea or tool you found useful (e.g. using plain language, incorporating mindfulness, building co-created plans).
STEP 2: Plan how and when you’ll use it. How could you integrate this into your work or teaching? Example:
Standard version: “Try two self-care actions this week: 1) 20-minute walk, 2) 10-minute breathing.”
Culturally adapted version: “In families where strength comes from shared meals and music, choose one activity to do with a loved one – a walk, shared meal, or breathing together.”
STEP 3: Adapt for cultural relevance. If you’re working with migrants, refugees, or other culturally diverse learners, ask yourself: How might this technique need to be adjusted based on their values, daily routines or learning style?
STEP 4: Write your plan. Write 1–2 sentences describing how you will use the technique and how you might adapt it. Keep it somewhere you can revisit later.
Optional: “Want inspiration? Think about a story, symbol or tradition from your learners’ culture that connects to the technique you’ve chosen.”
Case study: Bangladeshi Migrant in Lisbon
Context: A 34‑year‑old Bangladeshi man who recently migrated to Lisbon presented with symptoms of anxiety and social withdrawal. He found it difficult to engage in Portuguese mental health services due to language barriers, cultural differences and fear of stigma in his community.
Challenges identified:
• Language and communication: He expressed distress in the Bengali/Dhaka dialect, but the service used Portuguese and English.
• Cultural meaning of mental distress: In his culture, physical symptoms and somatisation were more accepted than discussing emotions.
• Trust and identity: He was uncertain about whether his values (family honour, community strength) would be respected.
Interventions and adaptations:
• Use of a Bengali‑speaking facilitator for initial intake.
• Psychoeducation sessions tailored with culturally familiar metaphors (e.g., “heavy heart” rather than “depression”).
• Group support that included peers from South Asian communities and a focus on rebuilding social networks.
Outcome: After 6 months, the man reported improved engagement in sessions, fewer avoidance behaviours, and greater comfort in discussing stressors. He also referred a friend from his community to the service. Key success factors: language alignment, culturally respectful facilitation, and relevant metaphoric framing of distress