The 23-year-old Latin American student Raul/Roxana offers a case study that is full of cultural quirks and ethical conundrums as he struggles with suicidal thoughts. To achieve both ethical and effective intervention in this complex circumstance, a balanced strategy that prioritizes safety while taking into account varied views, employs culturally competent care, and strikes a balance between individual autonomy and cultural respect is necessary.They communicate thoughts of suicide and sentiments of worthlessness and hopelessness. Raul/Roxana discloses that they had through a horrific event lately in their cultural community, which caused them to feel very alone and upset emotionally. When handling this crisis scenario, the attending clinician is aware of the possible impact of ethical and cultural considerations. It is difficult to navigate the complex ethical landscape of crisis intervention, particularly when working with people from different cultural origins. Their cultural heritage brings with it important ethical questions about autonomy, culturally competent treatment, and confidentiality, necessitating a careful and nuanced approach.There are many urgent ethical issues that the world’s people must deal with, such as immigration, terrorism, public health, freedom of speech, religious freedom, global justice, climate change, and reparations.
Moral Conundrums:
The situation reveals a patchwork of ethical dilemmas. The importance of “familismo” in Latin American cultures forces us to think about the role that families play in times of crisis. Confidential information sharing without permission, however, raises questions about trust and autonomy. It becomes crucial to strike a balance between cultural standards and individual rights. Moreover, implementing a Westernized method might ignore Raul’s and Roxana’s cultural beliefs and viewpoints, endangering the efficacy of the intervention. Ethical and efficient treatment is ensured by incorporating culturally relevant therapies, which may involve healers or religious leaders. The scenario is made more difficult by the need to strike a balance between safety requirements and respect for autonomy. Although an involuntary hospital stay can be considered necessary to stop harm from happening right away, Raul/Roxana’s autonomy and cultural decision-making processes might be violated. It becomes imperative to investigate solutions that respect autonomy while guaranteeing safety.It becomes crucial to find a balance between upholding individual rights and cultural norms.Prolonged usage of social networking sites (SNS), like Facebook, has been linked to indications and symptoms of depression, according to several research. Furthermore, some writers have suggested that some SNS practices, particularly in kids and teenagers, may be linked to low self-esteem.Family is a fundamental Hispanic/Latino cultural value, according to Psychology Today. It is important to carefully consider incorporating culturally appropriate interventions, including working with healers or religious leaders, to make sure that clinical effectiveness and ethical norms are maintained.The cultural approach to emergency management is a systemic process that integrates cultural knowledge, awareness, sensitivity, attitudes, skills, and encounters to provide diverse communities at risk of disasters and crises with appropriate and effective care, relief, support, and services. possess the following abilities: (1) recognize the benefits of variety; (2) evaluate oneself; (3) handle the dynamics of difference; (4) get and institutionalize cultural knowledge; and (5) adjust to diversity with the cultural contexts of the communities they serve.: Suicidal ideation requires safety to come first. While involuntary hospitalization may be judged necessary to stop harm from happening right away, it may go against Raul’s or Roxana’s autonomy and cultural norms about making decisions and asking for assistance from their community. It becomes imperative to find alternatives that respect autonomy while prioritizing safety.
Taking Culture Into Account:
We need to examine the cultural fabric that creates Raul/Roxana’s reality in order to intervene effectively. “Familismo” requires respecting individual boundaries and acknowledging family as possible sources of assistance. Communication and intervention tactics must be modified due to gender norms and expectations, which are impacted by “Machismo/Marianismo,” regarding asking for help and expressing feelings.Investigating the ways in which spirituality shapes coping strategies and support networks makes it possible to incorporate interventions based on faith with consent and, when culturally appropriate, establish connections with religious authorities. It becomes imperative to address any potential cultural shame or stigma attached to getting professional help in order to normalize asking for aid within their cultural setting. Coping strategies and support systems may be greatly influenced by spiritual activities and beliefs. With Raul’s or Roxana’s permission, incorporating spirituality into the intervention plan can improve its efficacy and relevance.Seeking professional assistance may be avoided because of social shame or condemnation. It becomes crucial to de-stigmatize mental health and normalize asking for help within the framework of one’s culture.
Culturally Appropriate Crisis Management Strategy:
Establishing rapport and trust is mostly dependent on creating a secure and supportive environment through culturally sensitive communication, abstaining from jargon, and using empathy. A critical first step in cultural assessment is to understand Raul/Roxana’s viewpoint by investigating their cultural history, values, and beliefs through questions that are appropriate for their culture while also honoring their degree of comfort. Fostering confidence and ownership in Raul/Roxana is achieved through collaborative decision-making, wherein they are included in all decision-making processes while maintaining their autonomy and considering culturally appropriate assistance choices. Culturally competent communication is facilitated by using communication strategies that are in line with their cultural preferences and practices, taking into account both verbal and nonverbal cues.
Justification for Intervention Measures:
Including family members, with Raul’s or Roxana’s permission and adhering to privacy laws, could be beneficial. Take into consideration collaborative family therapy or psychoeducational consultations. Examining the ways in which spiritual practices and beliefs impact coping strategies makes it possible to incorporate interventions based on faith with consent and, if culturally acceptable, establish contact with religious authorities. It is essential to put Raul/Roxana in touch with mental health professionals who are familiar with their culture or with community support systems catered to their requirements and preferences. To find these resources, it may be required to consult cultural specialists.
Justification for Intervention Measures:
Raul/Roxana’s well-being, together with their cultural identity and values, continue to be the intervention’s key priorities. Success requires establishing trust and comprehending their cultural background. Incorporating networks of culturally appropriate support enhances relevance and success potential, and collaborative decision-making empowers Raul/Roxana. Respecting privacy and only involving family members with permission is consistent with ethical and cultural standards. Respecting Raul/Roxana’s particular needs and cultural background is further demonstrated by taking spirituality into consideration and establishing connections with culturally competent resources. Maintaining secrecy and involving family members only with their permission is consistent with cultural and ethical norms. Respect for Raul/Roxana’s particular needs and cultural background is further shown by taking spirituality into consideration and making connections with culturally competent resources.
In summary:
The situation of Raul/Roxana serves as an example of the complex web of moral issues that are woven throughout crisis intervention in a variety of settings. In order to successfully navigate this complex environment, cultural sensitivity, ethical awareness, and cooperative decision-making are crucial components.In order to effectively intervene in crisis circumstances and promote healing and well-being, mental health practitioners should value the autonomy of their clients, respect cultural norms, and use culturally appropriate approaches. Mental health practitioners can effectively intervene in crisis situations while keeping ethical standards by valuing client autonomy, respecting cultural norms, and using culturally competent approaches. Culture shapes our values, beliefs, and behaviors, which can have a substantial impact on our ethical standards. The ideals and ideas that direct our actions and choices are referred to as ethics. It is a set of moral precepts that guides our decisions regarding what is right and wrong.
REFERENCE;
American Psychological Association. (2020). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code: https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
Bowen, J. M., & Casas, J. M. (2023). Cultural and linguistic competence in clinical psychology: Principles, applications, and emerging areas. Oxford University Press.
Chirban, J. T. (2023). Culture, context, and crisis intervention: Mapping the terrain. Journal of American College Counseling, 34(4), 306-324. doi:10.1002/j.1556-0697.2010.x1363.x
National Center for Cultural Competence. (2023.). Understanding cultural competence. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/cultural-and-linguistic-competency: https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/cultural-and-linguistic-competency