Project Phases

The CURA was implemented through three phases:

Phase I: Exploring Conceptualizations of Mental Health Problems and Practice (2005-2007)

In the first two years, the CURA study involved 300 individual participants from Toronto and Waterloo Region in data gathering activities.

Main research questions

1. What does it mean to have a serious mental health problem?
2. What are the existing community mental health interventions that attempt to address cultural diversity?
3. What are the values and principles that guide these interventions?

Methods

Five research methods were used to gain a wide range of perspectives.
1. International literature review (n=225)
2. Key informant interviews (service providers, ethno-linguistic leaders, academics,
policy-makers) (n=22)
3. Web survey (community mental health agencies across Ontario) (n=111)
4. Focus groups (members of the 5 selected cultural groups) (n=185)
5. Case studies (individuals experiencing mental health problems from each of the 5 selected cultural groups and two support people) (n=24)

Phase II: Developing Culturally Effective Practice (2007-2008)

After building a theoretical framework and discussing its practical implications at community forums and the CURA conference, CURA partners clustered to design demonstration projects in order to test out the emerging framework of improved mental health services. Twelve demonstration projects were designed. Six of these were funded and are currently underway; one in Peel Region of Toronto, four in Waterloo Region, and one province-wide initiative.

1. What values and principles should guide a culturally-effective community mental health framework in Canada ?
2. What specific strategies will facilitate the effective implementation of this framework?
3. How relevant are the framework and strategies to the various parts of the mental health system and various cultural groups?

Active Demonstration Projects

A Mental Health Case Management, Outreach, and Support Services Program
for the Punjabi Community
led by Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS);

Strengthening Mental Health in Cultural-Linguistic Communities
led by Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre

Newcomer Youth Theatre
led by the by the Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA

CKW-YMCA Host Older Adult Conversation Circle
led by the by the Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA

Women’s and Men’s Support Groups
led by the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre

Leaders Mobilizing Change: province-wide Leadership Development Events
led by the Centre for Community Based Research

Phase III: Evaluating Demonstration Projects (2008-2009)

In the third and final phase of the CURA project, the focus was on developing, implementing and evaluating innovative demonstration projects. These projects were all, in various ways, linked to the Taking Culture Seriously framework developed through the CURA research process. Twelve demonstration project proposals emerged through collaboration among CURA Partners, in some cases initiated out of recommendations from
the data collection phase of the project. Some projects were initiated by Cultural Communities, some by Mental Health Service Organizations.