Transcultural mental health nursing 2: race, ethnicity and culture

Abstract

In the first article in this series (Vol 8(10): 664–8), transcultural nursing was explained in terms of its assumptions, benefits and limitations. The emerging literature in this area of mental healthcare practice was highlighted. In this article, a brief overview of concepts of race, culture and ethnicity is given and examples of mental health problems are addressed in the context of culture. Finally, the ACCESS model (Assessment, Communication, Cultural negotiations and compromise, Establishing respect, Sensitivity and Safety) (Narayanasamy, 1998) is suggested as a possible option for transcultural care in mental health nursing.