A Framework for Counsellor-Cultural Broker Collaboration/Un Cadre De Collaboration Entre le Conseiller et le Médiateur Culturel

You know they say to be a counsellor it is a privilege because you get to hear people s heart and also to be a broker in that dynamic is also a privilege and an honour. (Cultural broker who works with counsellors)Cultural differences toward health, wellness, and help-seeking are among the barriers that newcomers to Canada experience when accessing mental health services (Alberta Health Services, 2008). Based on our review of the literature regarding culturally sensitive counselling, cultural brokering-the act of linking or mediating between different cultural groups (Jezewski, 1993)-is a potential solution to this service gap (Laurence et al., 2003; Raval, 2005; Singh, McKay, & Singh, 1999). A cultural broker is an individual who is well immersed in both mainstream culture and in his or her own ethnic culture (Owen & English, 2005). Paraprofessionals, settlement workers, bilingual coworkers, and diversity liaisons who are members of an ethno-cultural community are all examples of cultural brokers (Alberta Health Services, 2008; Owen & English, 2005; Raval, 2005; Yohani, 2013).Although the literature discusses the importance of cultural bridging, along with offering recommendations for collaboration with healthcare providers, there remains little knowledge as to the actual process of collaboration that occurs between cultural brokers and mental health practitioners. This article examines the recommendations that emerged from a case study examining the collaboration between cultural brokers and mental health practitioners who work with refugee youth. This particular study used Bemak and Chungs (2002) multilevel model of refugee counselling as a guiding theoretical framework to understand the process of counsellor-cultural broker collaboration. This theory provides a framework for supporting the psychological well-being of refugee youth. It should be noted that refugees represent a diverse group whose experiences are influenced by social variables such as social class, country of origin, gender, and level of education. Language proficiency, length of time in Canada, and levels of acculturation are particularly influential for immigrants and refugees with regards to accessing mainstream health services. This case study looks specifically at refugee youth who may experience barriers due to unique challenges presented by their premigratory experiences, post-settlement stressors, and cross-cultural differences.LITERATURE REVIEWRefugee youth are identified as a group who are at risk for psychological distress and yet underutilize mental health services (Bean, Eurelings-Bontekoe, Mooijaart, & Spinhoven, 2006; Fen ta, Hyman, & Noh, 2006; Nadeau & Measham, 2005). This section provides information on the barriers to navigating mainstream mental health services, the fit between mainstream mental health services and culture, and existing models and practice for refugee populations.Barriers to Navigating Mainstream Mental Health ServicesThe literature on health-seeking behaviours of migrant populations suggests a number of barriers to accessing and receiving mental health supports, such as preoccupation with meeting basic needs (Alberta Health Services, 2008; De Anstiss, Ziaian, Procter, & War land, 2009; Lustig et al., 2004) and limited health literacy related to the local healthcare system (Ingleby, 2012). In some cases, families are not registered with general practitioners, who have been found to be an important referral link to mental health services (O'Shea, Hodes, Down, & Bramley, 2000).Furthermore, when refugee youth receive counselling services, they may not understand the purpose of the services, how the intervention is supposed to work, or what the expected results are (Alberta Health Services, 2008). As is the case for most minors, refugee youth often rely on their caregivers to access mental health services for them (De Anstiss et al., 2009). This can be a barrier when parents lack knowledge of the healthcare system in a new country, along with what will happen to their children when a referral is made (Diamond, Saintonge, August, & Azrack, 2011). …

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