Education

Educational Mission

Training

Clínica Latina is a demonstration site for staff training. Clinical rotations are established for psychiatric residents, psychology interns, and other trainees in the health fields. Staff and trainees gain firsthand experience delivering culturally competent mental health services with supervision provided by experts in the field.

A cultural competence seminar with a detailed curriculum is run yearly.

Trainees rotating through Clínica Latina are also exposed to ongoing health services research in cross cultural psychiatry.

Family Education

Patients are invited to involve their families in their treatment experience. Staff recognize the importance of family input into assessment and treatment planning. Clinical staff educate family members/significant others about mental illness and coping mechanisms so that their interactions help maximize the functioning of the ill family members. Bilingual, bicultural psychiatrists provide specific information about medication adherence and dealing with medication side effects. Educational brochures in Spanish are available for patients and families.

Staff will also provide linkage with education programs offered through UBHC’s Intensive Family Support Services Program (IFSS). The stigma of mental illness is a focus of the educational activities.