Department of Psychiatry

Faculty of Medicine

Building Cultural Competence for Mental Health Equity


Building Cultural Competence for Mental Health Equity is a new course offered to faculty in the Dalhousie Department of Psychiatry.

Co-developed and co-delivered with Black and African NS community partners, this course uses cultural competence as a framework to promote mental health equity. It is designed to advance departmental competence in anti-oppression, equity, and community allyship, in collaboration with partners.

Introducing the course

The Building Cultural Competence for Mental Health Equity course was introduced at the Department of Psychiatry’s Grand Rounds on January 7, 2026.

View the course introduction (Grand Rounds, January 7, 2026).

Format

The Building Cultural Competence for Mental Health Equity course will be offered in two brief sessions in spring 2026:

  • Part 1: Foundation Session on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at Grand Rounds (8:30-9:30 a.m. - Recorded) Join the session. Passcode: 510555
  • Part 2: Experiential Session – Friday, May 1, 2026 (in person)
    1 to 4 p.m. (lunch from Noon to 1 p.m.)
    Atlantica Hotel
    (Not recorded; Registration required).

All Department of Psychiatry faculty are encouraged to attend.

Resources

Those who wish to attend the "Experiential" Session will be asked to register in advance, attend (or view) the "Foundation" Session, and read the following four articles:

  1. Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) – A tool introduced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to assist clinicians in conducting culturally sensitive assessments
  2. A Systematic Review of Cultural Competence Trainings for Mental Health Providers
  3. A Cultural Competence Guide for Primary Health Care Professionals in Nova Scotia
  4. Key Features of Culturally Inclusive, -Affirming and Contextually Relevant Mental Health Care and Healing Practices with Black Canadians: A Scoping Review

Download the Compendium of Equity Learning Resources [PDF - 346 KB] for all materials needed for this course, plus additional learning resources.

Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University’s Online Resources

Cultural Competence Course Q & A


What do I need to do?

  • Mark your calendars for Part 1 and Part 2 dates noted above to protect the time (April 8, May 1).

  • Register for the Experiential Session 

Note: Those attending the are asked to also attend the Foundation Session on April 8 (or watch the recording) and to read the four articles listed above in advance.

  • Complete the Pre-Course needs assessment survey. A 10-min pre-course needs assessment survey has been circulated. The deadline to complete the survey is February 20.

Who is teaching this course?
This course is being co-developed and co-delivered by members of Black/African Nova Scotian communities, aligned with the Serving and Engaging Society mandate of our new strategic plan.

Who should attend these sessions?
All faculty are encouraged attend both sessions.

Should learners attend?
Everyone, including learners, are welcome to attend Part 1: Foundation Session at Grand Rounds on April 8; however, Part 2: Experiential Session on May 1 is intended for faculty only.

Will these sessions be recorded?
The Foundation Session will be recorded for later viewing; The Experiential Session will not be recorded, due to sensitive nature of the material and at the request of our community partners.

Will I be remunerated for attending these sessions?
For AFP faculty, time to attend complete will be remunerated under indirect care, "Clinical Teaching."

Can I claim CME for attending these sessions? 
The Foundation Session can be claimed for CME through the usual Grand Rounds accreditation process.

Where else can I learn about this course?
An overview of course was introduced at January 7 Grand Rounds--if you missed it, you can watch the recording here.

Questions?

Email Psych.Ses@dal.ca