Cultural Diversity

To raise awareness about diversity and to embrace cultural differences in order to promote community mental health.

The Need for the Cultural Diversity Program

People of color, refugees and immigrants in the United States face multiple challenges: physical change, emotional trauma; separation from family and community, unfamiliar language, economic hardship, educational demands, and new cultural beliefs and behaviors. Their understanding of mental health and mental illness may also be different than that of Americans.

Mental Health Interpreter Clearinghouse

The Cultural Diversity Program has trained language interpreters from Albania, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Iraq, Jordan, Kurdistan, Laos, Mololavia, Puerto Rico, Romania, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Interpreters from culturally diverse populations are committed to creating services that address the challenges confronting refugees and immigrants seeking mental health services. The interpreters embrace a code of ethics that respects individuals and fosters their success. Training includes program expectations, American values, challenges facing refugees, cultural and linguistic competency, and psychiatric terminology.

Local Multicultural Advisory Council

The Local Multicultural Advisory Council (LMAC) is part of the New York State Multicultural Advisory Council. Its members represent culturally diverse populations who are committed to creating services that recognize the dynamics refugees and immigrants face when accessing mental health services.

Education

The Cultural Diversity Program assists people of diverse groups in accessing mental health services and provides:

Support, information, and training to help mental health agencies promote and achieve culturally competent services.
Training and presentations that address the mental health issues of diverse populations.
Interpreter training and services.

Advocacy

The Cultural Diversity Program and its interpreters advocate for improved communication and understanding between the community and individuals participating in the program. It also provides education, training, and a resource library.