A little about myself
My Statement
What idea, experience, or statement resonated with you the most, and why?
After watching the video, one of the first statements that really got to me was that the purpose was bigger than personalities. I do not know why, but I actually loved this. Yes, our society revolves around a large population of people of diverse race and ethnicity; however, I really relate to the idea that our purpose is bigger than a personality. Yeah, you may be white or Hispanic, but your personality is what shapes you as a person. When I look at someone or engage with a person, I am not looking at their race or ethnicity, but rather their personality, which, in my opinion, really shapes that person. I do not forget that they are a different race, but I do look at how their factors of race and ethnicity relate to their personality.
What is one strategy described in the video that you will apply toward your self-awareness and/or cultural competence?
One of the things that I do attempt to utilize when talking with others about race and the same is true for race is that first engagement and building rapport. I think that the first engagement really allows me to be self-aware of what my client or the person in need is going through. After hearing them and building rapport, I am able to be more culturally aware as to how I can meet this person where they are at and help them without judgement.
How might this strategy help when working with a client who is racially or ethnically different from you?
Knowing my strengths and weaknesses when interacting with others around me. During my time of building rapport and doing engagement, my goals are to ask them about their opinions or previous encounters with mental health care. Ask them about their family history and culture. Find out how their family feels about receiving mental health services. Ask about socially acceptable coping strategies and emotional expression. Inquire about any actual obstacles to attending appointments, then devise solutions to overcome them. Draw on your knowledge of various cultural and ethnic groups and what you have learned from unique clients, but avoid making broad generalizations or assumptions. On the basis of what they tell you during your early interactions, seek out further information.
References
SMI Adviser - What are ways you can engage clients in a culturally responsive way? (n.d.). SMI Adviser. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://smiadviser.org/knowledge_post/what-are-ways-you-can-engage-clients-in-a-culturally-responsive-way#:~:text=Inquire%20about%20their%20family%20and
Walden Canvas. (n.d.). Storage.googleapis.com. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/53240/pages/week-3-resources?module_item_id=1105810