Value 2: Promoting Social Justice

Context for Practice: Clinical specialists play a crucial role in advocating for and addressing the broader social justice issues that impact the lives of service users. This involves taking proactive steps to ensure equitable access to resources, challenging stigma and discrimination, and promoting the inclusion of service users in decision-making processes.

Standards of Practice: Clinical specialists shall demonstrate a commitment to social justice by:

2.1.1. recognizing the complexity of human experience by incorporating a holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach in assessments and interventions, moving beyond merely focusing on illness, diagnosis, and treatment;

2.1.2. actively challenging stigma and discrimination encountered in practice, fostering an environment of respect and dignity;

2.1.3. facilitating access to necessary treatment and support services, ensuring service users can avail themselves of the care they need;

2.1.4. promoting the rights of service users to participate in decision-making processes and have choices in the services they receive;

2.2.5. advocating for organizations to be equitable, accessible, and responsive to the needs and goals of service users experiencing mental health, addiction, trauma, grief/loss/illness, and crisis issues;

2.2.6. ensuring that all civil and human rights of service users are acknowledged and protected within the sphere of practice.

Context for Practice Statement: Clinical specialists are expected to have a deep understanding of how culture and race influence human behaviour and social dynamics and apply that knowledge to their practice. This involves continuous learning about different cultural perspectives on mental health, recognizing and challenging one’s biases, and actively employing culturally responsive practices. The goal is to foster an environment where all service users feel understood, respected, and supported, thereby facilitating their empowerment and well-being.

Standards of Practice: Clinical specialists shall possess a comprehensive understanding of how mental illness and mental health are perceived within the cultural contexts of service users by:

2.2.1. assessing the degree to which service users relate with and accept the concepts of mental illness and mental health as understood in their own cultures and in different cultures;

2.2.2. assessing for potential conflicts between service users’ cultural beliefs and practices related to mental health and those prevalent in Canadian mental health practices, including strategies for addressing and reconciling these disparities;

2.2.3 consulting with cultural interpreters or advisors (i.e., spiritual leaders, Elders, knowledge keepers, etc.) to assist with providing culturally responsive services when necessary;

2.2.4. providing culturally responsive services for supporting individuals effectively, which may involve collaboration with or referrals to specialized culturally-oriented mental health services.

Context for Practice: Clinical specialists are positioned to not only address personal and psychological needs but also to challenge the structural barriers that hinder equity and access to resources. This approach demands a critical engagement with the social, political, and cultural dimensions influencing mental health and well-being, and a commitment to social action that aligns with the profession’s dedication to human rights.

Standards of Practice: Clinical specialists shall engage in activities of social action as demonstrated by:

2.3.1 examining the social, political, and cultural contexts necessitating social action;

2.3.2 acknowledging how these factors impact mental health and well-being;

2.3.3 actively participating in consultations with individuals and community groups, fostering a collaborative approach to identifying needs and planning interventions;

2.3.4 taking direct action to address specific issues that adversely affect mental health and well-being, leveraging professional skills and resources to enact change;

2.3.5 assisting and enhancing the advocacy and educational efforts of community groups aimed at countering stigma and discrimination against those with mental health issues;

2.3.6 facilitating connections between service users and advocacy groups to bolster opportunities for collective action, tailored to the expressed needs and interests of those served.

Depending on the needs of service users,

2.3.5 disseminating information about political and legal avenues through which social action can be pursued, ensuring individuals are informed of their rights and options.

Context for Practice: Clinical specialists understand the vital importance of standing alongside and speaking with those they serve, particularly in navigating systems that impact their rights and access to resources. This advocacy is rooted in a deep understanding of the social, economic, and political factors that affect individuals’ lives. The process involves not only addressing immediate needs but also working toward systemic change to eliminate barriers and injustices.

Standards of Practice: Clinical specialists shall advocate with service users to access needed resources by:

2.4.1 establishing the need for advocacy by identifying specific rights or problems that require attention, based on a thorough assessment of the individual’s situation;

2.4.2 investigating and presenting a range of possible actions to address the identified needs, supporting the individual in choosing the most suitable course of action;

2.4.3 ensuring that the intervention team’s decision-making processes at all stages are respectful of, and inclusive of, service user needs and wishes and where appropriate, those of their family;

2.4.4 encouraging and facilitating self-advocacy by assisting with preparation, providing relevant resources, and offering feedback to enhance outcomes;

2.4.5 connecting individuals and their family members with appropriate supports and advocacy groups as valuable resources;

2.4.6 challenging organizations or service provision systems that are disempowering or discriminatory, and advocating for changes that support the empowerment and well-being of service users and, where appropriate, their families.

2.4.7 utilizing high-level communication skills and demonstrating courage to ensure that service users’ best interests are effectively represented in all advocacy efforts;

2.4.8 assessing the effectiveness of advocacy actions and adjusting as needed to achieve the desired outcomes;

2.4.9 advocating within complex specialist contexts, such as within the forensic provisions of mental health legislation, ensuring that individuals’ rights and needs are adequately represented and supported.