Developing mental health rehabilitation services in a culturally appropriate context

The present study illustrates the efforts by a community mental health service to restructure the Mental Health Rehabilitation Program to meet more adequately the needs of the Arabic-speaking population. It was discovered that the principles of mental health rehabilitation theory are inherently Anglo-Australian and not suitable for the Arabic-speaking population. Action research methodology was used as a tool to drive the changes necessary to implement effective mental health rehabilitation across cultures. Two new culturally relevant programs were developed, staff attitudes to rehabilitation were changed and assertive strategies were introduced to alter clients' attitudes and perceptions about mental health rehabilitation.