Welcome to this learning activity with a focus on introduction to collaborations and mental health service delivery in the U.S. and Norwegian social welfare context.

This learning activity is a "flipped classroom". That means that before joining class, students are expected to have reviewed all materials for the learning activities, and have answered reflection questions.

Note: For autumn 2022, you will only work with this in groups or individually. There will be no in classroom activities connected to this learning activity.

Learning outcome:

Understand and apply knowledge of interdisciplinary, interagency, interprofessional and cross-sectoral collaboration.

Suggested litterature:

Kohn-Wood, & Hooper, L. M. (2014). Cultural Competency, Culturally Tailored Care, and the Primary Care Setting: Possible Solutions to Reduce Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Mental Health Care. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 36(2), 173–188. https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.36.2.d73h217l81tg6uv3
Marie-Anik Gagné. (2005). What is Collaborative Mental Health Care? An Introduction to the Collaborative Mental Health Care Framework. Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Initiative. http://www.shared-care.ca/files/02-Framework-EN.pdf
Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity A Supplement to Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General (s. 31). (2001). National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK44249/

Codjoe, Barber, S., Ahuja, S., Thornicroft, G., Henderson, C., Lempp, H., & N’Danga-Koroma, J. (2021). Evidence for interventions to promote mental health and reduce stigma in Black faith communities: systematic review. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 56(6), 895–911. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-021-02068-y
Colvin, A. D., & Garner, D. D. (2010, November). Social work and the African American Church: Using a collaborative approach to address service delivery. In North American Association of Christians in Social Work Convention, Raleigh-Durham, NC. https://www.nacsw.org/Publications/Proceedings2010/ColvinASocialWork.pdf
Bowen, Powers, D. M., Russo, J., Arao, R., LePoire, E., Sutherland, E., & Ratzliff, A. D. H. (2020). Implementing collaborative care to reduce depression for rural native American/Alaska native people. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1), 34–34. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4875-6
Obra, J., Lin, B., Đoàn, L. N., Palaniappan, L., & Srinivasan, M. (2021). Achieving equity in Asian American healthcare: Critical issues and solutions. Journal of Asian Health, 1(1). https://journalofasianhealth.org/index.php/jasianh/article/view/3/16#citations
Aguilar-Gaxiola, S., Loera, G., Méndez, L., Sala, M., & Nakamoto, J. (2012). Community-defined solutions for Latino mental health care disparities: California reducing disparities project, Latino strategic planning workgroup population report. Sacramento: UC Davis. https://health.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/pdf/latino_disparities.pdf

Digital resource 1 - JPS Health Network

Watch the case example of an integrated, collaborative model to mental health service delivery for diverse populations: JPS Health Network

Answer these questions:

The video showcased mental health service delivery as an integrated system of care and collaborations across various programs and services. Identify how collaborations take place in your municipality, or within Norway. Why is collaboration important in mental health service delivery?
The video highlighted the value of having a provider who looks like the client or shares a language with the client, of having providers are “a reflection of the community we serve.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement – explain why.

Digital resource 2 - Ethnic specific mental health services

Watch this dialogue between Hannah Ngyen, Mika Brown and Steinar Vikholt

Answer these questions:

Have you heard of ethnic-specific services prior to watching this video? What are your reactions to this idea or terminology?
What are your thoughts on designing mental health programs (or social welfare programs more broadly) that tailor to the cultural and language needs of specific ethnic populations in Norway? For example: do you think there is a need for ethnic-specific services in Norway and will this idea/program be supported, or do you think this is not appropriate nor necessary for the Norwegian context?

Digital resource 3 - Collaboration in promoting access to mental health care

Watch this video on the role of collaboration in promoting access to mental health care: case example of barriers to access:

Answer these questions:

If you were clients who had to navigate mental health services as the individuals in the video did, how likely are you to continue seeking the service? Explain your answer.
Identify some barriers to mental health service access in your municipality, or within Norway.
From your perspective, what can your profession do to address barriers to mental health care access?

In class activity: (Not for 2022)

Assess for similarities and differences (between the U.S. and Norway) in how individuals initiate mental health service use. For example: referrals, identifying and linking to providers, wait time, payment, choosing providers who meet the diversity of the clients' backgrounds and cultural/linguistic needs, and other cultural considerations such as stigma and distrust in mental health care system.
Identify strengths and challenges in collaborations across programs and sectors (e.g., primary care, insurance, social worker, psychiatrist, psychologist) to promote access to mental health care: reflect on what works well, and what can be improved to ensure clients do not have difficulties accessing services
Discuss similarities and differences in how Norway versus the U.S. approaches ethnic-specific mental health services. Assess the strengths and limitations of each approach.