Transcript Document

New Directions in Seniors’ Mental Health
September 24-25, 2007
Reach Up, Reach Out!
Developing and Sharing Best Practices
in Mental Health Promotion for
Culturally Diverse Seniors
Melissa Lee-Ross
September 24, 2007
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Conflict of Interest
Neither VON Canada nor the
presenter hold any conflict of
interest that may have a direct
bearing on the subject matter of this
presentation.
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Outline
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Background and Overview
Findings to date
Conclusions
Question and answer forum
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VON Vision
Canada’s leading
charitable organization
addressing community
health and social needs.
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VON Mission
VON, a charity, guided by the principles of
primary health care, works in partnership with
Canadians for a healthier society through:
• Leadership in community based care
• Delivery of innovative, comprehensive health
and social services
• Influence in the development of health and
social policy
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VON Across Canada
 51 Branches with
16,000 staff and
volunteers
 Serving more than
1,300 communities
 Providing more than
50 programs and
services
Touching lives since 1897
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Culturally Diverse Seniors in Canada
Immigrants:
• 29% of individuals aged 65 to 74
• 28% of those aged 75 to 84
Visible minorities:
• Between 1981 and 2001, increased from 2.3% to
7.2%
Aboriginals:
• 1% of the total Canadian senior population in
2001
• Expected to grow more than two-fold by 2017
(Statistics Canada, 2005)
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Challenges
• Age-associated changes in a person’s life make
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them vulnerable to mental health issues
Access barriers contribute to the lack of use of
mental health care services by culturally diverse
older adults:
 stigma
 lack of accurate diagnosis
 language barriers
 lack of understanding of traditional healing
practices
 lack of belief in the supernatural
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Project Goal
To facilitate increased capacity of
community organizations and
volunteer networks to effectively
respond to the mental health
promotion needs of culturally diverse
older adults relative to supportive
networks and connections within the
community.
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Partnerships and Collaboration
National-level partners and collaborators* include:
• Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health
• Pauktuutit Inuit Women’s Association
• Canadian Association on Gerontology
• Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada
• Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses
• National Association of Friendship Centres
• Canada’s Association for the Fifty- Plus
• Center for Addictions and Mental Health
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*partial list
Why do this work?
• Existing programs and policy shaped by
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dominant culture, often excluding culturally
diverse older adults.
Inclusion is a central component of positive
mental health.
• Need for a community level model to assist in
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developing culturally appropriate mental health
promotion programs for seniors.
Need for support and training for service
agencies around cultural competency (Seniors on
the Margins, NACA, 2006)
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What is mental health promotion (MHP)?
• Mental health…is the capacity for each of
us to feel, think and act in ways that
enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal
with the challenges we face
• Mental health promotion…is the process
of enhancing the capacity of individuals
and communities to take control over their
lives and improve their mental health.
-PHAC, 2003
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Elements of MHP
empowerment
emotional
spiritual
self-esteem
coping skills
social support
well-being
culture
equity
social justice
interconnections
personal dignity
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Project Schedule and Deliverables
Phase 1
Identify Best Practices
Phase 2
Develop Guidelines
Phase 3
Pilot Guidelines
• Literature review
• Draft report
• Implement guidelines
• Environmental scan
• Publish guide
• Deliver info sessions
• Review of evidence
• Distribute guidelines
• Telephone interviews
• Focus groups
Project Schedule and Deliverables
Oct 2005 – Sept 2007
Oct 2007 – Mar 2008
April – Sept 2008
Funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada,
Population Health Fund (Later Life Priority)
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Findings to Date
Challenges/Barriers:
• Familial obligations that prevent social
participation outside the home (e.g. caring
for grandchildren)
• Lack of familiarity with community and
services
• Language barriers
• Belief system not congruent with
dominant culture
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Findings to Date
MHP Needs:
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Community openness
Community involvement
Cultural sensitivity
Cultural competency
Awareness of language barriers
Innovative methods
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Findings to Date
Emerging best practices:
• Consult the community
• Encourage family and community
involvement
• Tailor programs to reflect cultural
demographic via participant feedback
• Act as a resource broker
• Be creative!
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Conclusion
At this stage of the research, it is
clear that in order for mental health
promotion programs to be effective
and responsive to culturally diverse
older adults, community consultation
and involvement is vital.
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Want to share? Find a resource?
• Join the Golden Age Information
Exchange list serv
• General forum for information, ideas, and
questions around seniors' health and
wellness and issues relating to cultural
diversity
• Subscribe at:
http://lists.von.ca/mailman/listinfo/
Golden_age_information_exchange
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Thank You!
Melissa Lee-Ross BSW, RSW
Project Coordinator
VON Canada
Direct Line: (902) 674-0913
Toll Free: (866) 777-7412
Fax: (902) 674-0919
Visit us at: www.von.ca
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