Cultural competency among bilingual bicultural mental health workers in the Central Valley

Project (M.S.W., Social Work) -- California State University, Sacramento, 2010.This study explored the cultural competency among bilingual bicultural mental health workers functioning within California???s Central Valley. Qualitative interviews were conducted as a means to provide an in-depth look and understanding of the struggles that bilingual, bicultural mental health workers face. Participants were recruited from Solano County???s Mental Health Department, and eight interviews were conducted. Themes resulted from the study included, clinical practice, social awareness, and cultural competency as significant determining factors in service provision. Participants identified lack of knowledge, understanding and value to be key components in creating the barriers and limitations that they face within mental health. Further research with a larger number of participants is necessary to further explore and address the needs of mental health workers within California???s Central Valley.Social Wor