The reading that stuck out to me the most this week was, Treatment of Culturally Diverse Children and Adolescents with Depression, as the author explains the ways that treatment of youth of color has been practiced and differed from those of white youth. What stood out to me the most from the reading was the conversation around how socioeconomic status has been historically used as the reason behind the lack of quality services for youth of color when studies have shown that even when you qualify for health insurance and education youth of color are still impacting the quality of services that youth receive.
The Social Work Code of Ethics has listed as one of its core competencies, as cultural competency. The most important thing to take away from this is that it is critical to not just take one's ideas or preconceived notions of a community as cultural competency but rather take time to learn the individual or the community that they are a part of as an ecological perspective.
As students of color seek mental health treatment less frequently how does one work to address their needs without simply labeling them with a diagnosis while still ensuring that they receive proper treatment?