One size does not fit all: taking diversity, culture and context seriously.
Evidence suggests that the current mental health system is failing in the provision of quality mental health care for diverse children and families. This paper discusses one critical domain missing to improve care: serious attention given to diversity, culture, and context. It discusses what we mean by understanding culture and context at the individual, family, organizational, and societal level. Focusing on key predictors of children's adjustment in natural contexts would increase attention to building community and family capacities that strengthen children's mental health. To conclude, we suggest changes in organizational culture to build natural supports to enhance children's mental health.
Alegria
Margarita
M
Center for Multicultural Mental Health Research, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School, 120 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA 02143, USA. malegria@charesearch.org
Atkins
Marc
M
Farmer
Elizabeth
E
Slaton
Elaine
E
Stelk
Wayne
W
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D054521:Cultural Competency / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D012917:Social Adjustment; D014481:United States