Guideline Study as a Capacity Building Initiative for Mental Health Interpreting: An Evaluation with International Criteria

This article seeks to assess the adherence of a guideline produced for mental health interpreting to international standards, exemplified by the Interpreting Guideline in Community-Based Health and Psychosocial Support Services developed in Türkiye. The essential function of translators in addressing language and cultural barriers in mental health and psychosocial support services is highlighted. The deficiencies in interpreters' access to professional standards are addressed. There is a growing need for interpretation, primarily attributed to forced migrations. It requires the formulation of guidelines that offer extensive direction for interpreters and specialists collaborating with interpreters in these services. The article analyses the field guidelines developed by the Turkish Red Crescent and assesses their adherence to internationally accepted capacity-building protocols and guideline formulation standards. It involves a review of the literature concerning guideline development and evaluation studies within the mental health field. The literature review identifies international standards, notably AGREE II (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation) and AGREE-HS, as significant. This analysis examines the capacity-building initiatives of the Turkish Red Crescent, focusing on the structure, content, and scope of the guidelines developed within this framework in relation to established standards. The evaluation results indicate that the Turkish Red Crescent Guideline largely adheres to fundamental ethical and scientific standards in the interpretation of psychosocial support. It is concluded that the guideline requires enhancements in its applicability, update plans, and overall comprehensiveness. The study emphasises the significance of adhering to guidelines established at the national level in alignment with international standards. The objective is to enhance the institutionalisation and professionalisation of capacity-building studies within this field. Developing guidelines that adhere to international criteria while considering local conditions is a crucial step in enhancing the quality of translation and interpreting services.