Holding the Lifeline
A Guide to Suicide Prevention
Culture Competence
Cultural competence is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning, sensitivity, and awareness. This module seeks to assist the reader in developing an understanding of culturally sensitive prevention and intervention strategies. This knowledge can then be applied to the reader's area(s) of work with suicide and substance abuse, with the goal of gaining additional knowledge, refinement, and skills over time.
Culturally Competent Programs:
A culturally competent program is one that demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of cultural differences in program design, implementation, and evaluation. Culturally competent programs:
- Acknowledge culture as a predominant force in shaping behaviors, values, and institutions
- Acknowledge and accept that cultural differences exist and have an impact on service delivery
- Believe that diversity within cultures is as important as diversity between cultures
- Respect the unique, culturally defined needs of various client populations
- Recognize that concepts such as "family" and "community" are different for various cultures and even for subgroups within cultures
- Understand that people from different racial and ethnic groups and other cultural subgroups are usually best served by persons who are a part of or in tune with their culture
- Recognize that cultural diversity enhances us all ref
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Last Updated: 5/12/06
SAMHSA is an Agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
