Diversity in Action (PDF)

This book presents an extensive collection of high-yield case vignettes with recommendations for a comprehensive approach to cultural psychiatry. Culture is defined from an anthropological perspective, with an emphasis on aspects of culture beyond race, ethnicity, and other traditional demographic categories. The goal of this book is to offer clinical applications of cultural psychiatry via examination of special populations, systems, and settings. With ever-changing geopolitical environments, institutional structures, and sociodynamics, attention and consideration of context is paramount. Theoretical models and specific frameworks for evaluating cultural influence on the manifestation, development, and treatment response of mental health illnesses are presented. The chapters are organized to showcase different ways in which culture plays into everyday clinical practice. Emphasis is placed on the full sum of the care delivery transaction within a larger context, including public and community systems of care. Real-world case examples are discussed in each chapter to help contextualize the dynamic nature that culture plays in practice across inpatient and outpatient settings. Each case presents with relevant academic and historical background and practical operational advice for psychiatrists providing care within these respective communities. The authors address diverse clinical cases related to refugee and asylum seekers, military service members, survivors of human trafficking, incarcerated populations, and more. Training recommendations and best practices are outlined including psychopharmacology, psychosocial treatments, and cultural adaptations to evidence based treatments.

Diversity in Action: Case Studies in Cultural Psychiatry is a useful resource for all psychiatrists, psychologists, general practitioners, social workers, nurses, administrators, public policy officials, and all medical professionals working with a culturally diverse subset of patients seeking mental health.