Most of us find it hard to conceptualize who we are and how we fit in society. Self identity changes as we build personal character and are influenced by the environment and relationships with others. Given that I was born in Puerto Rico, I have often identified myself as somewhere in between two cultures. This is due to being mostly raised in the United States. I was able to assimilate patterns and behaviors from the main island, but retained some of the beliefs and values that come from being Latino. For most Latinos, family influences every aspect of life and their involvement is critical in Mental Health treatment.1 Understanding the influence of culture can help reduce disparities in Mental Health, therefore, awareness and appreciation of other's cultures can fascilitate access to care, reduce stigma and inequities in health.1 …show more content…
A cultural competent program demonstrates cognitive thinking of beliefs, history, values, ideology and the view of the indivudual in the world.2 A cultural map can be the beginning of getting to know a person. The first step in developing a cultural competent behavioral healthcare plan is to develop cultural competence, followed by an understanding of the levels of learning that one must achieve in order to better serve those who have diffferent cultural values and preferences.
Awareness of one's identity can also help to reduce disparities. The ability to acknowledge cultural assumptions and biases are part of the ongoing process of attaining cultural competence. Furthermore, willingness to make changes in thoughts and behavior is important to address biases that can hinder the process of equity in Mental Health.
Implications for Behavioral