ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors consider some aspects of provision of psychiatric services for minority ethnic groups in cities where there are large ethnic minorities, e.g. Hispanics in New York, Afghans in Islamabad or Pakistanis in Bradford, or many races in the Arabian Gulf states. The best approach for psychiatric services will depend on various factors to do with the local situation. Any consideration of what would constitute appropriate psychiatric services for minority groups must also take into account the frequency and presentation of mental illness among immigrants. A good interpreter should have an adequate command of both languages, and be familiar with the psychiatric and sociological terms and cultural background of the patients. In psychiatry, communication with the patient by use of language is particularly important for successful clinical practice. At present in many such clinical situations, a translator or interpreter is used, such as a son or daughter, or, more rarely, a professional, paid interpreter.
