Brief review & summary
In this module, you have learned:
• Unit 1: Introduction to Cultural Competence. You explored what cultural competence means and how identity, language, religion, and personal beliefs can influence mental health perceptions, stigma, and help-seeking behaviour.
• Unit 2: Cultural Perspectives & Assumptions. You learned how cultural values and personal assumptions—both yours and others’— can create barriers or build bridges in mental health education.
• Unit 3: Evidence-Based Frameworks. You examined theoretical models like LEARN, CCCC, and intersectional approaches, and saw how they can guide culturally responsive education and support.
• Unit 4: Conclusion & Reflection. You identified key takeaways and planned how to apply them in real-life settings.
This module focused on:
• The importance of cultural competence in mental health education, especially for working with migrants and refugees.
• How cultural perceptions, assumptions and educational expectations influence learning processes, inclusion and well-being.• ● How cultural perceptions, assumptions and educational expectations influence learning processes, inclusion and well-being.
• Applying evidence-based frameworks (e.g., LEARN, CCCC, intersectional approaches) to support respectful, effective, and flexible care and education.
• Using communication strategies, empathy, and cultural awareness to reduce misunderstandings and promote safety and engagement.
• Supporting inclusive education through learner-centred planning, reflective practice, and the co-creation of culturally sensitive strategies.
Recommended readings & resources
Impact of cultural backgrounds
• Abdullah, T., & Brown, T. L. (2010). Mental illness stigma and ethnocultural beliefs, values, and norms: An integrative review. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(6), 934–948. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.06.006
• Mohankumar, R. (2022). The influence of cultural stigma on perceptions of mental illness. International Journal of Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 26(1), 23–34. https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8815&context=etd_theses
• Wong, P. T. P., Garcia, A., & Chen, X. (2024). Mindful self-care practices around the world: Score reporting and Rasch modelling of mindful self-care factors among 13 regions and across 102 countries. Global Psychology Review, 12(2). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381186830_Mindful_Self-Care_Practices_Around_the_World-Score_Reporting_and_Rasch_Modeling_of_Mindful_Self-Care_Factors_Among_13_Regions_and_Across_102_Countries
Academic frameworks
• Bennett, M. J. (2017). Developmental model of intercultural sensitivity. The Intercultural Development Research Institute. https://www.idrinstitute.org
• Berlin, E. A., & Fowkes Jr., W. C. (1983). A teaching framework for cross‑cultural health care: Application in family practice. Western Journal of Medicine, 139(6), 934–938. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1011022/
• Kim‑Godwin, Y. S., Clarke, P. N., & Barton, L. (2001). A model for the delivery of culturally competent community care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 36(2), 280–289. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.2001.01929.x
• Saha, S., Beach, M. C., & Cooper, L. A. (2008). Patient centeredness, cultural competence and healthcare quality. Journal of the National Medical Association, 100(11), 1275–1285. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2824588/
• Sears, K. P. (2012). Improving cultural competence education: The utility of an intersectional framework. Medical Education, 46(6), 548–549. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2012.04265.x
Study cases where cultural competence is already implemented
• Bhui, K., Warfa, N., Edonya, P., McKenzie, K., & Bhugra, D. (2007). Cultural competence in mental health care: A review of model evaluations. BMC Health Services Research, 7, 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-7-15
• Govere, L., & Govere, E. M. (2016). How effective is cultural competence training of healthcare providers on improving patient satisfaction of minority groups? A systematic review of literature. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 13(6), 402–410. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12176
References
1.Abdullah, T., & Brown, T. L. (2010). Mental illness stigma and ethnocultural beliefs, values, and norms: An integrative review. Read here
2.Andrews, M. M. (1999). Theoretical foundations of transcultural nursing. Read here
3.Bennett, M. (2017). Development model of intercultural sensitivity. Read here
4.Berlin, E. A., & Fowkes, W. C. (1983). A teaching framework for cross-cultural health care: Application in family practice. Read here
5.Bhui, K., Warfa, N., Edonya, P., McKenzie, K., & Bhugra, D. (2007). Cultural competence in mental health care: A review of model evaluations. Read here
6.Byram, M. (1997). Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence. Read here
7.Campbell, J. C., & Campbell, D. W. (1996). Cultural competence in the care of abused women. Read here
8.Chu, W., Wippold, G., & Becker, K. D. (2023). A systematic review of cultural competence trainings for mental health providers. Read here
9.Govere, L., & Govere, E. M. (2016). How effective is cultural competence training of healthcare providers on improving patient satisfaction of minority groups? A systematic review of literature. Read here
10.Hall, E. T. (1981). Beyond culture. Read here
11.Kelly, K. C., Huber, D. G., Johnson, M., McCloskey, J. C., & Maas, M. (1994). The medical outcomes study: A nursing perspective. Read here
12.Kim-Godwin, Y. S., Clarke, P. N., & Barton, L. (2001). A model for the delivery of culturally competent community care. Read here
13.Leising, D. (2010). Applying principles of intercultural communication to personality disorder therapy. Read here
14.Mind. (2009). Improving mental health support for refugee communities – An advocacy approach. Read here
15.Mohankumar, R. (2022). The influence of cultural stigma on perceptions of mental illness. Read here
16.Saha, S., Beach, M. C., & Cooper, L. A. (2008). Patient centeredness, cultural competence and healthcare quality. Read here
17.Sears, K. P. (2012). Improving cultural competence education: The utility of an intersectional framework. Read here
18.Smith, L. S. (1998). Concept analysis: Cultural competence. Read here
19.Warren, B. J. (2003). The interlocking paradigm of cultural competence: A best practice approach. Read here
20.Wong, C. C. Y., Zhang, D., Wang, Y., Zhou, Y., & Zeng, Y. (2024). Mindful self-care practices around the world: Score reporting and Rasch modelling of mindful self-care factors among 13 regions and across 102 countries. Read here
21.World Health Organization. (2021). Self-Help Plus (SH+): A group-based stress management course for adults. Read here