New Directions in Seniors Mental HealthSeptember 24-25, 2007 Reach Up, Reach Out! Developing and Sharing Best Practices in Mental Health Promotion for Culturally Diverse Seniors

Melissa Lee-RossSeptember 24, 2007

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.

OutlineBackground and OverviewFindings to date ConclusionsQuestion and answer forum

VON VisionCanadas leading charitable organization addressing community health and social needs.

VON MissionVON, a charity, guided by the principles of primary health care, works in partnership with Canadians for a healthier society through:Leadership in community based careDelivery of innovative, comprehensive health and social servicesInfluence in the development of health and social policy

VON Across Canada51 Branches with 16,000 staff and volunteersServing more than 1,300 communitiesProviding more than 50 programs and servicesTouching lives since 1897

Culturally Diverse Seniors in Canada Immigrants:29% of individuals aged 65 to 74 28% of those aged 75 to 84Visible minorities: Between 1981 and 2001, increased from 2.3% to 7.2%Aboriginals: 1% of the total Canadian senior population in 2001Expected to grow more than two-fold by 2017 (Statistics Canada, 2005)

Challenges Age-associated changes in a persons life make them vulnerable to mental health issuesAccess barriers contribute to the lack of use of mental health care services by culturally diverse older adults:stigma lack of accurate diagnosis language barrierslack of understanding of traditional healing practiceslack of belief in the supernatural

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.

Partnerships and Collaboration National-level partners and collaborators* include: Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental HealthPauktuutit Inuit Womens AssociationCanadian Association on GerontologyAboriginal Nurses Association of Canada Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses National Association of Friendship CentresCanadas Association for the Fifty- Plus Center for Addictions and Mental Health

*partial list

Why do this work? Existing programs and policy shaped by 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 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)

What is mental health promotion (MHP)? Mental healthis 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 faceMental health promotionis the process of enhancing the capacity of individuals and communities to take control over their lives and improve their mental health. -PHAC, 2003

Elements of MHP empowerment emotional spiritual self-esteem coping skillssocial support well-being culture equitysocial justiceinterconnections personal dignity

Project Schedule and DeliverablesOct 2005 Sept 2007Oct 2007 Mar 2008April Sept 2008Phase 3Pilot GuidelinesImplement guidelinesDeliver info sessionsDistribute guidelinesFunded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Population Health Fund (Later Life Priority)Project Schedule and Deliverables

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 servicesLanguage barriers Belief system not congruent with dominant culture

Findings to Date MHP Needs:Community opennessCommunity involvement Cultural sensitivityCultural competency Awareness of language barriersInnovative methods

Findings to Date Emerging best practices:Consult the community Encourage family and community involvementTailor programs to reflect cultural demographic via participant feedbackAct as a resource brokerBe creative!

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.

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 diversitySubscribe at: http://lists.von.ca/mailman/listinfo/ Golden_age_information_exchange

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

BonnieBonnieBonnieThe visible immigrant population is growing at a faster rate than the total population. Another exampleresearch has identified three main difficulties for this immigrant seniors: loss of family, loss of culture, and loss of community. Partial list: for a full list of Project Advisory Committee and Consulting Expert Panel members see me afterwards! Refer to NACA recommendations:Support health promotion and the development and dissemination of other physical and mental health resources, programs and services that are linguistically and culturally specific Provide support to community organizations to adapt existing resources and programs to meet the needs of their particular ethnic communityProvide training to service agencies to ensure a better understanding of cultural and ethnic differences and how to best serve clients of various backgrounds (Seniors on the Margins, NACA, 2006)

Important to note that it is a process; thus fluid and changing Essential to involve communities in the processmore about that later Elements of MHP: Mental health promotion empowers people and communities to interact with their environments in ways that enhance emotional and spiritual strength by working to increase self-esteem, coping skills, social support and well-being in all individuals and communities. Respect for culture, equity, social justice, interconnections and personal dignity is essential for promoting mental health for everyone.

Needs to inform best practice in MHP for culturally diverse seniors These are preliminary!!! Full report will be available in early 2008. Preliminary conclusion. Community consultation and involvement does not just refer to the cultural group being considered, but the COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. Opportunity to broker information