What Are Some Effective Strategies For Adapting The Collaborative Assessment And Management Of Suicidality (CAMS) Framework To Work With Adolescents From Diverse Cultural Backgrounds, Particularly Those From Collectivist Cultures Where Family And Community Expectations May Impact An Individual's Willingness To Disclose Suicidal Ideation?

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Adapting the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) framework for adolescents from collectivist cultures requires a culturally sensitive approach that respects the importance of family and community. Here's a structured approach to achieve this:

  1. Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness:

    • Understand Cultural Values: Recognize the significance of family and community in collectivist cultures. Be aware of cultural expressions of distress, which may include physical symptoms rather than emotional ones.
    • Address Stigma: Frame help-seeking as a strength and a way to support the family, rather than a personal failing.

  2. Family and Community Involvement:

    • Involve Family: Adapt CAMS to include family sessions, ensuring confidentiality is maintained while respecting the teen's need for autonomy.
    • Community Resources: Utilize community support groups and resources that align with the teen's cultural background.

  3. Building Trust:

    • Cultural Competence: Clinicians should receive training on cultural nuances and adapt their communication style to build trust.
    • Use of Interpreters: Provide materials in the teen's native language and use interpreters, ensuring confidentiality and cultural appropriateness.

  4. Adaptation of Assessment Methods:

    • Flexible Assessment: Make the CAMS structured interview more flexible, incorporating storytelling or metaphors to facilitate expression of feelings.

  5. Cultural Beliefs and Practices:

    • Respect Beliefs: Consider cultural and religious beliefs about death and suicide, addressing them sensitively in sessions.

  6. Balancing Autonomy and Support:

    • Family Therapy: Include family therapy sessions where the teen feels supported yet heard, balancing their need for autonomy with family involvement.

  7. Follow-Up and Support:

    • Community Support: Ensure access to community resources and support groups that respect the teen's cultural background.

By integrating these strategies, the CAMS framework can be effectively adapted to support adolescents from collectivist cultures, fostering a collaborative and culturally sensitive approach to managing suicidality.