Who is this resource for?

This resource is a guide for healthcare professionals and clinicians who work with Asian clients in the New Zealand health system. It is a supplement to the learning programme 'Working with CALD Clients in a Mental Health Context' and is intended for use by participants who have completed this programme. CALD module 1 on 'Culture and Cultural Competency' is also a pre-requisite for accessing this resource.

Important note: It is highly recommended that the supplementary resource on 'Working with Religious Diversity' (which is culture-specific to Asians) is accessed before this resource. Spiritual values and practices are germane to mental health presentations, beliefs and expectations for intervention. The supplement to religious diversity is usually only accessible after participants have attended the programme on religious diversity (CALD 7), however because of the relevancy of that information to this resource, it is being made accessible for viewers of this resource. Please apply through the CALD site www.caldresources.org.nz

What it aims to do

This document aims to provide some information on mental health issues as they arise with Asian clients specifically. It is not a stand-alone document and it is assumed that the viewer has an understanding of the following from the learning programme 'Working with CALD Clients in Mental Health':

The common issues and concepts that are involved in cross-cultural assessment

• Explanatory models of illness
• What we mean by 'somatization' when working with CALD clients
• Culture-bound syndromes
• The DSM-IV R's criteria for Developing a Cultural Formulation for Diagnosis
• Appropriate screening instruments and assessment tools, and issues related to these when working with CALD clients
• How to collaborate in intervention and treatment with CALD clients
• Ethnopharmacology
• Familiarity with the CALD Assessment Tool

This resource is in part a research document, and in part a guideline for practitioners who work with CALD clients. It includes video and audio components to illustrate some of the issues covered.

The information in this resource reflects traditional values and practices that may not be relevant to all families, nor to some immigrant and second-generation clients, nor to the younger generations. It cannot be stressed strongly enough that in order to avoid stereotyping, this culture-specific information is useful as a platform only, for exploring clients' unique needs and experiences.

How it is organised

• Section I is an introduction with background information and summarises key issues from previous CALD courses necessary for working with this resource.
• Section II provides information on assessment.
• Section III provides information on treatment and intervention.

Guidelines are offered throughout as 'Implications for Practice'.

The CALD 'Yellow Man' is an alert to notable issues.

Icons to help you navigate through the resource:

	This NEXT button is located at the bottom right corner of the page and it is for moving to the next resource page. NB: if you are using a tablet device please note that (a) this NEXT button is located in the middle right hand side of the device; and (b) you can alternatively swipe the page from right to left with your finger to move to the NEXT page.
	This PREV button is located at the bottom left corner of the page and it is for moving to the previous resource page. NB: if you are using a tablet device please note that (a) this PREV button is located in the middle left hand side of the device; and (b) you can alternatively swipe the page from left to right with your finger to move to the PREV page.
	This button is located at the bottom left corner of the pages. It is for you to exit the resource.
	This BOOKMARK PAGE button is located at the bottom left hand side of the page next to the exit button. You can bookmark a page by clicking on this BOOKMARK PAGE button. Once you have bookmarked a page, the button will change its name to “REMOVE BOOKMARK”.
	This REMOVE BOOKMARK PAGE button is located at the bottom left hand side of the page next to the exit button. You can remove a bookmarked page by clicking on this REMOVE BOOKMARK button. Once you have remove the bookmark, the button will change its name to “BOOKMARK PAGE”.
	This VIEW ALL (N) button is located next to the BOOKMARK PAGE or REMOVE BOOKMARK PAGE button. This button will only appear if there are bookmarked pages. NB: the (N) refers to the number of bookmarked pages. To go to a specific bookmarked page, click this VIEW ALL (N) button, and a pop up window will display a list of BOOKMARKED page names for selection.
	This button activates a response to an activity or provides an answer or more information about an activity. If you see this button on a page, please click it instead of the NEXT button.
	This operates as a standard video player (play/pause). Please make sure the volume on your computer is “ON” and also check the volume on the video player is 100%.
	This operates as a standard audio player (play/pause).
	These are tabs to open up more pages within a resource page. Please click on all the tabs within a resource page to ensure you have read all the information on the tab pages before navigating to another page.
	This indicates a self-reflective moment.