Mental Health
It is helpful for healthcare professionals to be aware that many of their patients, particularly patients who have come to the United States as refugees. Slide: courtesy Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees
Many Bosnian refugees, for example, have witnessed the death of their close family members, and were exposed to the awful truths of war that can lead to mental health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder.
Due to the limited supply of mental health professionals and their high expense, psychiatric care is often very difficult for immigrants and refugees to access. It is beneficial, however, if healthcare providers realize that many of their patients may be experiencing psychological distress, and such distress can prevent the practice of effective healthcare treatment. Since most nurses and doctors are not specifically trained as mental health professionals, they should not expect to address many issues that his or her patients may be facing. They can, however, be sensitive to these subjects, and be particularly patient and understanding, in order to gain the trust of their patients. Establishing a trusting relationship with a doctor or nurse enables a patient to speak frankly about mental health concerns that may be affecting their overall health, such as not having slept in weeks. Once the problem a patient may be facing is understood by the healthcare provider, he or she can then address this concern or refer the patient to a more suitable healthcare provider.
Oftentimes, immigrants and refugees come from places where the government had denied them justice, and they fear that any personal information they release to someone they suspect as a member of the government could potentially harm them or their families. Such a fear may stand in the way of a patient receiving effective healthcare, as well as receiving social services that may be available to them through local or national government. Also, people from many cultures do not discuss mental health concerns with anyone besides a close family member, and are not accustomed to the practice of American psychiatry.
Cultural Diversity
