ABSTRACT
Here, we shall discuss the issue of culture as it relates to mental health nursing. We have included reference to religious identity, given the increasing religious diversity of many Western countries, and the recognition of the
need for psychiatry to develop partnerships with faithbased organizations.1 Global population movements challenge our traditional views of culture and require new responses from mental health nurses.2 We aim to provide a basis for mental health nurses to reflect on their own cultural identities and those of the people they care for. We do not prescribe how you should engage with people from cultural backgrounds different from your own. Rather, we suggest that you think about cultural and religious identity; what impact cultural difference has on the interactions between nurse and service user. Although the term ‘culture’ is most frequently used to refer to ethnic culture, it can usefully be applied to a range of differences, including those of gender, sexuality, physical ability, age and religion.3 Here, ‘culture’ refers to ethnic culture, although it is recognized that the discussion may also have relevance to various forms of group belonging, such as social class, religion and gender.
