Cultural Concepts of Distress Education for Clinicians

The Adult System of Care (ASOC) program at Monterey County Behavioral Health supports adults with mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders. Despite serving a diverse population, there is limited training that addresses the complex intersection of culture and mental health. This project involved a workshop for ASOC clinicians focused on cultural concepts of distress, specifically "ataque de nervios," a syndrome common in Hispanic and Latino individuals. The workshop aimed to enhance clinicians' understanding of how cultural identity impacts mental health symptoms. Pre and post-workshop surveys assessed knowledge gains. The project yielded positive outcomes, with clinicians gaining valuable insights into the role of culture in mental health. The project highlights the need for ongoing cultural humility training in the county, with recommendations to expand the focus to other cultural concepts of distress affecting Monterey County's diverse population.