Mental health services fail in face of cultural diversity

ASSESSING the mental health of persons from other cultures can take three times longer than native assessments, mental health experts have warned.

Ahead of tomorrow’s World Mental Health Day, lobby group Mental Health Ireland (MHI) has criticised the Government for inadequate mental health policies when it comes to addressing the needs of immigrants and asylum seekers.

“Our concern is further heightened by the World Federation for Mental Health’s focus on the challenges which cultural diversity is posing globally, where it is estimated that one person in 35 is now an international migrant,” said MHI chief executive Brian Howard.