Designed to improve assessment and treatment of mental illness through effective communication between a mental health practitioner and an individual through the engagement of an interpreter. Language can be a significant barrier for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds to access and use services.
Outline: This glossary is one of a series of glossaries developed by the Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre. It is available in 30 languages and is a compilation of some of the more common mental health terms used in mental health settings, as well as a brief overview of the mental health system and services.
Brief Summary: This 4th edition of the glossary has been expanded to include commonly used terminology on mental health promotion, stigma reduction, and suicide prevention. There is a diverse range of cultural beliefs and level of understanding about mental illness and suicide. It is hoped this glossary will foster a shared language between service providers when working with mental health consumers who are from a culturally diverse background.