Australian military and veteran’s mental health care part 1: an introduction to cultural essentials for clinicians

Abstract

Objective:

This article aims to define the cultural specificity of Australian military and veterans, and introduce some of the essential clinician knowledge, skills and attitudes required for effective cultural competence in the management of mental health (MH) conditions in this population.

Conclusion:

Military culture has the defining characteristics of the military as an organisation with a formal structure, as a cultural group governed by norms and shared values, and as a social group that provides people with identities. Key requirements for cultural competence introduced here are basic knowledge of the military structure, norms and identity; clinical skills including basic assessment and awareness of the commonly occurring MH disorders; and an exploration of attitudes of both the clinician and the military or veteran patient. Further research is needed, particularly in terms of assessing clinician’s cultural competence.