Abstract
In mental health, communication is the sine qua non, not only for considering a diagnosis, but also for developing a treatment plan. Words, on the one hand, and the relationship between the clinician and the service user, on the other, are two of the main components of mental health and therapeutic treatment. The presence of an interpreter has the potential to have an effect on the dynamics of the mental health or therapeutic encounter. This may pose a series of challenges and opportunities for all three members of the triad. This paper reports on a study conducted with interpreters working with recent migrants, mainly refugees and asylum seekers at two organisations based in the South of England. Two focus-groups with interpreters were conducted. Several differences between interpreting in mental health and interpreting in other settings were noted by the interpreters. Five overarching themes were identified in this study. These were: the role of the interpreter in the mental health encounter, the dynamics within the therapeutic triad, the interpreter-clinician relationship, power and alliances within the room and the personhood of the interpreter. The first two themes are presented within this paper, although the themes are not entirely discrete categorisations.
Highlights
In mental health, communication is the sine qua non, for considering a diagnosis, and for developing a treatment plan
Recent migrants including refugees and asylum seekers can suffer from a range of psychological difficulties, similar to those experienced by any member of the population (Moussaaoui & Agoub, 2011)
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INTERPRETING IN MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER SETTINGS: Interpreting in mental health with migrants has previously been described as an atypical form of community interpreting, with unique traits
Summary
Participants’ answers are grouped into thematic areas, which mirror the original research questions. It happens to us all the time and it’s very difficult to stop yourself from becoming emotionally involved..” Another aspect which casts mental health interpreting as different, is the total unpredictability of each session, in terms of content, and in relation to the patient’s behaviour and reactions. You have to be mindful of those things and of the fact that whatever they’re saying you have to interpret for the clinician to make their own judgement even if you think it’s quite silly.”. For all these reasons, interpreters recommend avoiding the use of sessional ad hoc interpreters. Interpreters were asked what was the most important requirements an interpreter should have when working in mental health with recent migrants
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Culture and Mental Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
