A Study on Enhancing the Cultural Competence of Mental Health Social Workers : Focusing on Analysis of Laws and Guidelines

Amid the rapid transition to a multicultural society, the demand for mental health services for clients with migrant backgrounds has been steadily increasing. In this context, the cultural competence of mental health social workers is emerging as a critical factor influencing both the quality and accessibility of services. This study aims to explore the institutional foundations that support the enhancement of cultural competence among mental health social workers, particularly in the context of counseling and therapy for clients with migrant backgrounds, by analyzing relevant laws and guidelines. In addition, four supplementary laws—the Social Welfare Services Act, the Multicultural Families Support Act, the Child Welfare Act, and the Youth Welfare Support Act—were reviewed in light of their connections to the Mental Health Welfare Act. The analysis revealed that while the reviewed laws and guidelines partially reflect the foundational principles of ‘cultural competence’, they lack a clear and consistent definition of the concept, as well as systematic frameworks for education, training, and evaluation. Moreover, although some provisions address language accessibility, they fall short of offering practical procedures and inter-agency collaboration systems that practitioners can readily utilize. This study underscores the need to establish a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for enhancing the cultural competence of mental health social workers, and it emphasizes the importance of institutionalizing practical guidelines. The findings are expected to serve as a foundational resource for bridging policy and practice, and for advancing culturally responsive mental health services in Korea’s evolving multicultural society.