Developing mental health rehabilitation services in a culturally appropriate context

Abstract

The present study illustrates the efforts by a community mental health service to restructure the MentalHealth Rehabilitation Program to meet more adequately the needs of the Arabic-speaking population.It was discovered that the principles of mental health rehabilitation theory are inherently Anglo-Australianand not suitable for the Arabic-speaking population. Action research methodology was usedas a tool to drive the changes necessary to implement effective mental health rehabilitation acrosscultures. Two new culturally relevant programs were developed, staff attitudes to rehabilitation werechanged and assertive strategies were introduced to alter clients' attitudes and perceptions about mentalhealth rehabilitation.Introduction