Social and Cultural Diversity
The Social and Cultural Diversity Paper (1,500 to 1,700 words) requires the student to identify and reflect on possible personal biases regarding gender, religion, sexual or gender orientation, race, socioeconomic status, disability status, or culture. In addition, a self-care plan is developed for the mental health and wellness provider. The purpose of this paper is to raise the student’s personal and professional level of awareness regarding the subject of diverse populations and how to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue as a mental health and wellness provider.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Process Schedule
The Social and Cultural Diversity Paper assignment will be accomplished in afour-step process, with individual steps submitted and graded regularly throughout the course, according to the following schedule:
- Outline (Due Topic 4)
- References (Due Topic 5)
- First Draft (Due Topic6)
- Final Paper (Due Topic7)
Content Guidelines
When constructing this paper, use a four-part structure according to the following guidelines:
Part 1: Personal Reflection
The first part of the paper requires you to identify information from your own personal historyof racism and discrimination and connect it to how it impacts the way you relate to those different from yourself. Use the following questions to help guide your reflections:
- Identify your personal biases and how those biases may present challenges to you as a mental health professional. Remember, everyone has biases. The point is not to project them onto your clients.
Note: It is preferred you discuss your cultural biases.
- Describe your personal history by documenting experiences with discrimination you may have experienced and how your cultural background impacted these experiences and/or
- Identify memories of contact with those toward whom you have a bias, and your experiences associated with these people. Be specific.
- How has your life experience described above affected the biases that you have andhow you may relate to persons different than you? Be specific.
Part 2: Racism and Discrimination
The second part of the paper requires you to demonstrate an understanding of the impact of racism/discrimination. Use the following questions to help guide your reflections:
- How can one’s personal experiences of racism, discrimination or personal bias affect how one provides care to clients from different cultures?
- How can one’s personal experiences of racism, discrimination, or personal bias affect how one receives care from someone from different cultures?
Part 3: Multicultural Competence
The third part of your paper requires you to review and reflect on multicultural competence as a professional. Use the following to help guide your reflection:
- Why could there be significant differences in perceptions and values of members within the same ethnic group? Be specific.
- How do communication styles differ across cultures?
- How might strategies to build rapport be differentiated based on culture?
- What resources could help you to become more informed regarding cultural diversity? Cite resources you can use to dispel yourpersonal biases (identified earlier in this paper).
- What did you learn about the importance of cultural sensitivity in providing professional services to clients?
- How could you apply your learning to your future practice as a mental health and wellness professional?
Part 4: Self-Care for Providers
The fourth part of your paper requires you to develop a self-care plan for the mental health and wellness provider. This is not for the client. Identify four different strategies for providers to use to mitigate burnout and compassion fatigue.
- What is the difference between burnout and compassion fatigue?
- Describe the factors associated with burnout and compassion fatigue. What are the symptoms?
- Describe why it is important to develop a self-care plan before burnout or compassion fatigue occurs.
- List and describe four different strategies to mitigate burnout or compassion fatigue.
- Conclude with why you selected the four strategies and how you think they will help you as a professional provider of mental health services.
- Use two to three resources to justify your descriptions and strategies for self-care.
Answer preview to Social and Cultural Diversity
APA
853 words