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Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research

Published in:

01-03-2010 | Original Paper

One Size Does Not Fit All: Taking Diversity, Culture and Context Seriously

Authors: Margarita Alegria, Marc Atkins, Elizabeth Farmer, Elaine Slaton, Wayne Stelk

Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research | Issue 1-2/2010

Abstract

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.

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Title: One Size Does Not Fit All: Taking Diversity, Culture and Context Seriously
Authors: Margarita Alegria
Marc Atkins
Elizabeth Farmer
Elaine Slaton
Wayne Stelk
Publication date: 01-03-2010
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research / Issue 1-2/2010
Print ISSN: 0894-587X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3289
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-010-0283-2

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