CURA - Taking Culture Seriously in Mental Health

Project Details:
Project Name:	CURA - Taking Culture Seriously in Mental Health
Funder:	Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Ontario Trillium Foundation
Start of Project:	Oct 1st, 2005
Project Description:	The purpose of this 5 year project was to use a participatory approach to explore how best to provide community-based mental health services and supports that would be effective for people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Theme Area:	Cultural Diversity, Health Promotion, Mental Health and Addictions
Geographic Scope:	Toronto and Waterloo Region
Service Area(s):	Applied Research
Team Leader:	Joanna Ochocka
Team Member(s):	Rich Janzen, Sarah Marsh, Andrew Taylor, Julie Wise

Presentations and Workshops:
Academic Conferences Abbott, A., Gadalla, A., Omar, R., & Song, H. (2009). From Words to Action: Strengthening Mental Health in Cultural-Linguistic Communities. Presented at the Making Gains Conference, Toronto, ON, November 2009. (link) CURA Partners (2009) Research Inspired Mental Health Innovation: Culminating Taking Culture Seriously in Community Mental Health CURA Conference, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON Canada CURA Partners. (2009). Taking Culture Seriously in Community Mental Health CURA. Poster presentation at From Innovative Research to Innovative Solutions: Bringing Diversity in Mental Health From the Margins to the Core A Roundtable for Action. Toronto, ON, April 2009. Janzen, R. (2009). Participatory action research and community mental health. Poster presentation at Bridging the World International Virtual Conference. University-Community Partnership for Social Action Research Network. May 25-27, 2009. Maiter, S., & Westhues, A. (2009). Taking Culture and Power Seriously in Community Mental Health: The process of collective theory generation in multi-faceted community-based research. Presented at the 10th Advances in Qualitative Methods Conference Vancouver, British Columbia, October 8-10, 2009. Moorlag, E., & Ochocka, J. (2009) Evaluating innovative practice in mental health: A dialogue between cultural communities, practitioners, and the mental health system. Presented at the Annual Meetings of the Canadian Sociological Association, Carleton University, Ottawa, May 2009. Moorlag, E. (2009). Taking Culture Seriously in Community Mental Health: A participatory approach to engaging ethno-cultural communities. Presented at the Annual Meetings of the Canadian Sociological Association, Carleton University, Ottawa, May 2009. Mutta,B., Nelson, G., & Ochocka, J. (2009). From the Margins to the Core: A case example of a cultural community leading innovative practice in Ontario. Presented at the Making Gains Conference, Toronto, ON, November 2009.(link) Ochocka, J. (2009). Community based research: Inspiring social innovation. Presented at CUPP Conference, University of Brighton, United Kingdom. April 2009.(link) Ochocka, J. (2009). From Research to Action: Mobilizing cultural communities through Participatory Action Research. Presented at the Annual Meetings of the Canadian Sociological Association, Carleton University, Ottawa, May 2009.(link) Ochocka, J., Buettgen, A., Korsak, K., & Marsh, S. (2009) Overview of Taking Culture and Power Seriously in Community Mental Health CURA. Poster presentation presented at Making Gains Conference, Toronto, ON, November 2009. Ochocka, J., & Janzen, R. (2009). Research Inspired Mental Health Innovation: Insights gained from a Community University Research Alliance. Presented at the Ontario Metropolis Centre (CERIS), Toronto, ON, November 2009. (link) Janzen, R., Ochocka, J., & Moorlag, E. (2008). Invitation into the taboo: Engaging ethno-racial communities in mental health research. Presented at the Community University Exposition 2008. Victoria, B.C. Janzen, R., Ochocka, J., & Marsh, S. (2008). Knowledge Mobilization through Theatre: Cutting to the heart of research. Presented at the 2nd International Conference on Community Psychology. Lisbon, Portugal.(link) Maiter, S., & Westhues, A. (2008). Taking culture and power seriously in mental health. Presented at Social Work National Conference. Toronto, ON. (link) Moorlag, E., & Song, H. (2008). Navigating the Taboo: Perspectives on Mental Health from Chinese Communities in Canada. Presented at the Canadian Asian Studies Association, 2008 Conference: “Asia on the Move”. Waterloo, ON. Nov 15, 2008. Moorlag, E., Ochocka, J., Janzen, R., & Marsh, S. (2008). Seeing the “C” in Community University Partnerships: Pathways between diversity engagement and community research. Presented at the Community University Exposition 2008. Victoria, B.C.(link) Ochocka, J., Mutta, B., Song, H., & Marsh, S. (2008).Building Reciprocal and Action-Oriented Research Collaborations: Challenges, Successes, & Possibilities. Presented at Building Equitable Partnerships. Toronto, ON. Nov 7, 2008.(link) Ochocka, J., Moorlag, E., Marsh, S., & Janzen, R. (2008). Challenges and Solutions in University and Community Partnerships. Presented at the Community University Exposition 2008. Victoria, B.C.(link) Ochocka, J., & Marsh, S. (2008). Doing Community Based Research with Immigrant Populations. Presented at the 5th Annual Diversity and Wellbeing Conference: The Diverse Faces of Mental Health. Calgary, AB. Nov 21, 2008.(link) Ochocka, J. (2008). Impacts and Lessons Learned from Taking Culture Seriously in Community Mental Health. Presented in plenary CURA panel at the Community University Exposition 2008. Victoria, B.C.(link) Ochocka, J., & Janzen, R. (2008). Participatory Action Research with Immigrant Populations: Mobilizing Newcomer Communities Toward Social Innovation. Presented at the 2nd International Conference on Community Psychology. Lisbon, Portugal.(link) Ochocka, J., & Janzen, R. (2008). Social Innovation: The Centre for Community Based Research Celebrates Twenty Five Years. Presented at the Community University Exposition 2008. Victoria, B.C.(link) Westhues, A., Ochocka, J., Jacobson, N., Simich, L., Maiter, S., Janzen, R., & Fleras, A. (2008). Developing theory from complexity: Reflections on a collaborative mixed method participatory action research study. Presented at the 2nd Qualitative Research on Mental Health Conference. Tampere, Finland. Westhues, A., Ochocka, J., Jacobson, N., Simich, L., Maiter, S., Janzen, R., & Fleras, A. (2008). Developing theory from complexity: Reflections on a collaborative mixed method participatory action research study. Presented at the Fourth International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. Janzen, R. (2007). Taking Culture Seriously in Community Mental Health: Overview of a CURA. Poster presentation at the Canadian Evaluation Society Conference. Winnipeg, Manitoba. Moorlag, E. (2007). Participatory Action Research with Diverse Communities: A Case Study Example of Policy Development through Public Engagement. Presented at the Annual Meetings of the Canadian Sociological Association (CSA), Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. (link) Ochocka, J. (2007). University-Community Partnership: Global Networking Platform for Social Action Research. Presented at the Society for Community Research and Action. Pasadena, California.(link) Ochocka, J. (2007). Using Research to Mobilize Communities for Collective Action and Change. Presented at the Second European Community Psychology Association Seminar. Seville, Spain.(link) Ochocka, J. (October, 2006). Conducting Research Towards Social Change with Diverse Communities: Community University Research Alliance. 6th European Community Psychology Conference, Kamien Slaski, Poland. (link) Ochocka, J. (June, 2006). Emerging issues in mental health practice. 2006 International Refugee Rights Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (link) Ochocka, J., & Janzen, R. (2006). Participatory Action Research & Mental Health Consumer Survivors: Imagining a New Future. Second International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. Ochocka, J. & Janzen, R. (2006). Participatory Action Research & Needs Assessment: Mobilizing Culturally Diverse Communities. Second International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.(link) Ochocka, J, &.Janzen R. (2006). Setting the Stage for Mental Health Knowledge Mobilization in Cultural Diversity. Making Gains in Mental Health and Addictions. Healthcare Transformation in Ontario: Evolution or Revolution? Fourth Annual Conference, Toronto, ON.(link) Ochocka, J. (May, 2006). Taking culture seriously in community mental health: Community University Research Alliance. Poster presentation at 3rd Quebec Ontario Conference in Community Psychology, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Westhues, A., Janzen, R., & Ochocka, J. (2006).Engaging Communities through Open Forums: The Immigrant Youth in Schools Project. Second International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.(link) Wise, J., Ochocka, J., Janzen, R. & Roderick, K. (2006). Engaging Ethno Racial Communities on Sensitive Issues: Gaining Entrée in a Community Mental Health Project. Second International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.(link) CURA Partners (2005) First Taking Culture Seriously in Community Mental Health CURA Conference, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Ochocka, J., & Wise, J. (2005) Taking Culture Seriously in Community Mental Health, Creative Directions OPDI Conference, Toronto, ON(link) Ockocka, J, &.Janzen R. (2005). Considering Both Power & Culture in Community Mental Health: Towards a Model of Cultural Empowerment. Multicultural Days Conference, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON.(link) Ochocka, J, &.Janzen R. (2004). Towards a Model of Cultural Empowerment: Considering Both Power and Culture in Community Mental Health. Making Gains in Mental Health and Addictions Conference Toronto, ON.(link) Workshops Ochocka, J., Janzen, R., Maiter, S., Westhues, A., Jacobson, N. (June 2007). Responding to Diversity in Community Mental Health: Towards Cultural Empowerment. Workshop presented to the Hamilton Addiction and Mental Health Network Workshop. Hamilton, ON. (link) Ochocka, J., & Janzen, R. (October, 2008) Overview of Taking Culture Seriously in Community Mental Health. Presented at Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre Annual General Meeting. Kitchener, ON. (link) Responding to Diversity in Community Mental Health: Towards Cultural Empowerment. Workshop presented to the Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation. Mississauga, Ontario. April 2007. Ochocka, J. & Janzen, R. (September, 2007). A Local Diversity Initiative. Presented at WLHIN Champions of Change Symposium Waterloo ON. (link) Berihun, G. & Abbott, A. (September, 2008) Strengthening Mental Health in Cultural-Linguistic Communities Project Overview. Presented at WWLHIN Champions of Change Symposium. Waterloo, ON. Ochocka, J. (2008)Presentation to Service Systems Advisory Committee. Toronto, ON.(link) Ochocka, J. & Janzen, R. (2008) Responding to Diversity in Community Mental Health: Towards Cultural Empowerment. Presented to Wellington Waterloo Local Health Integration Network, Staff and Board Development. Guelph, ON.(link) Marsh, S., Ochocka, J., Janzen, R. (May, 2010). Research Inspired Mental Health Innovation: Insights gained from a Community University Research Alliance. Presented at Stigma and Resilience: The Lived Experience (Mental Health Education Day) Kitchener,ON.(link) Community Forums Centre for Community Based Research and The Wellesley Institute (2009). From Innovative Research to Innovative Solutions: Bringing Diversity in Mental Health from the Margins to the Core, The Funders' Roundtable for Action April 15, 2009, Toronto, ON. (link) CURA Brief Notes 2005-2009- December 4, 2009. Waterloo, ON (link) CURA Conference Proceedings December 7, 2006. Waterloo, ON.(link) Ochocka, J., Janzen, R., Wise, J., (2007). CURA Waterloo Community Forum. Waterloo, ON.(link) Ochocka, J., Janzen, R., (2007). CURA Punjabi Community Forum. Toronto, ON. (link) Ochocka, J., Wise, J. (2007). CURA Mandarin Community Forum, Toronto, ON.(link) Wise, J., (2007). CURA Latin American Forum, Toronto, ON.(link) Ochocka, J., Wise, J., (2007). CURA Polish Community Forum, Toronto, ON.(link)
Publications:
Books / Multi-media: Ochocka, J. & Janzen R. (2007). Blending commitment, passion and structure: Engaging cultural linguistic communities in collaborative research. In A. Williamson & R. DeSouza (Eds.), Researching with Communities: Grounded perspectives on engaging communities in research. (pp.323-338). Wairua Press. Waitakere City, New Zealand. Janzen, R., Ochocka, J., and the “Taking Culture Seriously” partners. (2006). The road toward cultural empowerment: An invitation to inclusion. In D. Zinga (Ed.) Navigating Multiculturalism Negotiating Change. (pp.58-76). Newcastle, UK: Cambridge Scholar’s Press. (link)(abstract) Ochocka, J. (2007). Working with Diverse Communities Towards Social Change: A Community University Partnership in Canada Using a Participatory Action Research Approach. In A. Bokszczanin (Ed). Social Change in Solidarity: Community Psychology Perspectives and Approaches (pp.76-83). Opole: University of Opole Press, Poland. Nelson, G., Janzen, R., Ochocka, J., Trainor, J. (2010) Participatory action research and evaluation with mental health self-help initiatives: A theoretical framework. In L. Brown and S. Wituk (Eds.), Mental Health Self-Help: Consumer and Family Initiatives. (pp.39-58) New York, NY: Springer Press Janzen, R., Walton-Roberts, M., & Ochocka, J. (in press). Chapter 6: Waterloo Region. In J. Biles & C. Andrew (Eds.), Immigration, integration and inclusion in Ontario cities. Montreal, QC: McGill-Queen's University Press.

Published Articles: Westhues, A., Ochocka, J., Jacobson, N., Simich, L., Maiter, S., Janzen, R., & Fleras, A. (2008). Developing theory from complexity: Reflections on a collaborative mixed method participatory action research study. Qualitative Health Research, 18(5), 701-717.(link)(abstract) Maiter, S., Simich, L., Jacobson, N., & Wise, J. (2008). Reciprocity: An ethic for community-based participatory action research. Action Research, 6(3), 305-325. (link)(abstract) Jacobson, N., Ochocka, J., Wise J., Janzen, R., & the Taking Culture Seriously Partners (2007). Inspiring knowledge mobilization through a communications policy: The case of a Community University Research Alliance. Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education and Action, 1(1), 99-104.(link)(abstract) Simich, L., Maiter, S., & Ochocka, J. (2009). From social liminality to cultural negociations: Transformative processes in immigrant mental wellbeing. Anthropology and Medicine Journal, 16(3), 253-266.(link)(abstract) Janzen, R., Ochocka, J., Jacobson, N., Maiter, S., Simich, L., Westhues, A., Fleras, A., & the “Taking Culture Seriously” Partners. (2010). Synthesizing culture and power in community mental health: An emerging framework. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 29(1), 51-67.(link)(abstract) Ochocka J., Moorlag E., & Janzen, R. (2010). A Framework for entry: PAR values and engagement strategies in community research. Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement, 3, 1-19.(link)(abstract) Ochocka, J., Moorlag, E., Marsh, S., Korsak, K., Mutta, B., & Kaur, A. (2010). Taking Culture Seriously in Community Mental Health: A five-year study bridging research and action. Canadian Issues: Special Issue on Immigrant Mental Health, Summer 2010, 59-64.(link)(abstract) Simich, L., Maiter, S., Moorlag, E., & Ochocka, J. (2009). ‘Taking Culture Seriously’: Ethno linguistic community perspectives on mental health. Psychiatric Rehab Journal, 32(3), 208-214.(link)(abstract) Westhues, A., Janzen, R., Roth, D., & Grant, J. (2010). Community mental health organizations in Ontario: Perceptions of responsiveness to the needs of diverse cultural-linguistic communities. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 29(2), 99-111. (link)(abstract) Moorlag, E., Wang, D., d’Ailly, H., Ochocka, J., & Janzen, R. (under review). Capacity building and peer support as community mental health intervention: Perspectives from Chinese Canadians on culturally-relevant service delivery. International Journal of Mental Health.