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New York City is probably the most ethnically diverse place in the world. This impacts on all aspects of life including the delivery of mental health services. Concerned on how to serve the diverse needs of callers to their help-line, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill – New York City Metro affiliate sponsored a workshop on cultural sensitivity for its staff and volunteers held June 9, 2000 at their Manhattan office. The workshop was introduced by Evelyn Roberts while Mollie Gibeau was the moderator. The speakers were staff members David Castillo, Nilsa Coch and Fung Kan.

Castillo, Office Manager spoke about the Latin American experience. Born in El Salvadore he was brought to the U.S. as a child. He has generally positive experiences in this country. One of the few times he had trouble with issues of diversity was when he played on his high school basketball team. Some African American players resented having a Latino as a team member. They asked him why he wasn't playing soccer. He enjoyed playing under hard circumstances and proving people wrong, which he did.

Coch, a staff member also discussed the Latin American experience. She was born in Puerto Rico and brought to this country as a child. She worked at Roosevelt Hospital and helped translate for mental health professionals dealing with Latino clients. She pointed out that many Latinos were ashamed of mental illness and saw it as a curse. She felt there was a need for mental health outreach in the Latino community.

Kan, a NAMI Helpline volunteer described the Asian experience. She pointed out that the Asian experience was made up of many different cultures and she was going to discuss the Chinese experience. Kan suffered as a child from a learning disability and was taught to be secretive about it. She quoted a Chinese expression: "What is said at home stays at home." This is a typical Chinese view of mental illness. She pointed out that many Chinese believe that mental illness is caused by spirit possession, to be combated using herbs, which when mixed with Western medicines can cause serious harm. She said that there were very few mental health services designed for the Asian community.

After the speakers there was a general discussion among all present about issues of cultural diversity. People related their own experiences including anti-Semitism at college and growing up with an inter-racial family. The workshop was lively and informative and points out the need for all people in the mental health community to be sensitive to the issues of cultural diversity.