2009 Culture Counts

Abriendo Mentes, Abriendo Corazones

Open Minds, Open Hearts 

Presented by

Lucrecia V. Suárez, LCSW  

“Thank you, Gayathri, for partnering with us and others in Washington County to bring ASHA International’s Culture Counts program Abriendo Mentes, Abriendo Corazones on May 17, 2009.  Lucrecia Suarez’ presentation on ‘Healing Multigenerational Depression – A Latino Perspective’ was incredibly valuable for all who were there.  We were so pleased to work with you to bring mental health awareness to the Latino families that we serve by providing affordable housing and resident services programs.  The need for this kind of outreach into the Latino community is huge, and we hope that this is just the beginning of our work together to spread the message of hope and awareness in Washington County.  The presentation was unique in its cultural sensitivity and cultural competency, and we were honored to be your partner in a message of hope.”
 
Karen Shawcross
Executive Director
Bienestar
Hillsboro, OR
 
Program info…

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2008 Culture Counts

Standing in the Shadows: Black Men And Depression

 

"Your hope filled discussion of ASHA International's rallies placed the presentation in the context of world-wide education regarding neurobiolobical disorders.  Mr. Head presented a striking personal memoir embedded within a well-researched, clear-eyed anyalysis of depression among Black American men.  Together your presentations served as a hopeful call to action to all of us who care about providing culturally sensitive, person centered care to as wide a population as possible."

William H. Wilson, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry
Chair, Psychiatric Grand Rounds Committee
Director, Inpatient Psychiatric Services
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, Oregon

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Program info…

 

 2006 Culture Counts

DEVRAI

(A Marathi movie with English subtitles) 

Winner of 16 Awards including the Presidential Silver Medal, India

A film that demystifies schizophrenia, a mental disorder, giving it a human face. The film operates on the simple theme of a family coming to terms with the disease and learning to live with it, realizing that the disease is not curable, but can be controlled with medication. There is no permanent solution to it, only momentary reprieves … 


“I found this movie to be a profound and insightful journey into the personal experiences of both the individual and the loved ones of a person who has schizophrenia. The panel discussion following the movie provided useful evidence based information about the science, treatment and lifelong management of mental illness.”  

Heather Nesbitt-Sanders

Nursing Student,

Oregon Health and Sciences University 

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Culture Counts

According to Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity, A Supplement to Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General, racial and ethnic minorities bear a greater burden from unmet mental health needs and thus suffer a greater loss to their over all health and productivity. 

Culture has a significant impact on how mental illness is perceived, diagnosed and treated. Culture affects how people express their symptoms, access treatment, comply with treatment plans and cope with their illness within the confines of their families and communities.  Culture also influences how mental health services are organized, funded and distributed.

Cultural stigma is one of the greatest barriers to recovery.  And, cultural appropriateness of mental health services maybe the most important factor in the accessibility of services by people of color.  Developing cultural sensitive practices can help reduce barriers to effective treatment utilization.

In May 2006, ASHA International launched Culture Counts, a signature program to promote mental health awareness within cultural minorities and enhance cultural sensitivity among mental health providers.

 

Please see the Right Hand Column for more information...