Learning objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Understand the importance of culturally competent support in reducing minority stress.
- Identify ways to offer meaningful support to individuals facing discrimination.
- Recognize how inclusive policies and practices improve well-being.
Why this matters
Minority groups often face increased stress and barriers during emergencies, making culturally competent support essential.
- Cultural awareness and communication build trust and improve relief efforts.
- Community partnerships help ensure support is relevant and accessible.
- Inclusive policies and training reduce disparities and improve emergency response.
Strategies for culturally competent support
People in equity-denied groups often experience higher stress, especially during crises. Establishing trust and cooperation is essential for effective support.
Cultural competence means the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.79 It involves four key principles, and there are several actions that can be taken based on each of them:80
- Awareness: Recognizing personal biases and avoiding assumptions.
- Knowledge: Understanding cultural identities, values, and beliefs.
- Skills: Communicating with care, respect, and cultural awareness.
- Application: Consistently using these principles in support efforts.
By following these principles, supporters can build trust and create inclusive environments.
Strategies for effective communication
Culturally aware communication is essential, especially in emergencies. Consider these strategies:81
| Strategy | Implementation |
|---|---|
| Ask, don’t assume | Ask questions to understand cultural experiences rather than making assumptions. |
| Be careful with your words | Use respectful, inclusive language to avoid unintentionally harmful words. |
| Listen with empathy | Acknowledge and validate people’s feelings and experiences. |
| Understand cultural differences in communication | Recognize that culture influences how people express emotions and interact. |
| Share personal and community stories | Storytelling builds trust and deepens understanding across cultures. |
| Pay attention to non-verbal cues | Observe body language and facial expressions while ensuring your own signals convey respect. |
Effective communication fosters trust, inclusion, and meaningful support.
Building community partnerships
Strong community partnerships help ensure support reaches those in need. Strategies include:
| Action | Implementation |
|---|---|
| Sharing information | Work with respected leaders or community organizations to reach the right people before, during, and after disasters. They can help communicate with individuals who may ignore or distrust public announcements — often including translation or interpretation of important messages.81 82 83 |
| Planning | Involve community partners in emergency planning to meet diverse needs. This can be done through different channels, like minority media, special workshops, and even going door-to-door. Effective planning works better when people understand the risks and have had experience dealing with past disasters.84 85 |
| Support | Consult community and spiritual leaders to ensure support aligns with cultural values.81 |
| Training and education | Develop disaster preparedness programs that reflect specific community needs. For example, in California, groups like the Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters (CARD) have worked to tailor disaster materials for the differing groups of people who need them.86 |
These partnerships increase trust and accessibility, ensuring effective support for minority groups.
Policy recommendations
Structural barriers contribute to minority stress, and policy changes can help address these inequities.
| Recommendation | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Recognize barriers and inequities | Understanding discrimination and health disparities leads to better policies and research.87 |
| Take an intersectional approach | Recognizing how race, gender, and income shape experiences improves emergency responses, including availability of inclusive shelters and financial support for those in need.87 |
| Evaluate policies and resources | Continuously assess whether policies effectively serve marginalized communities.86 |
| Improve accessibility of information | Use translations, visuals, and trusted sources to reach diverse audiences.86 |
| Provide cultural competency training | Equip emergency workers and health care providers with skills to support diverse populations.88 |
| Ensure inclusive policies | Recognize same-sex partnerships and chosen families in disaster response.88 |
| Offer accessible services | Provide low-cost, community-based services after emergencies to increase access for minority groups. |
By making policies more inclusive and responsive, communities can better support those affected by minority stress.