Short answer

When designing for CALD communities, move beyond generic co-design approaches and invest in understanding their specific cultural frameworks and communication needs to foster genuine collaboration and co-creation.

Field
User-Centred Design
Source
Health & Social Care in the Community (2020)
Method
Scoping Review
Evidence
Moderate effect

Co-design methodologies can be effectively adapted to improve mental health services for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities by addressing specific methodological and practical considerations. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Health & Social Care in the Community. Using Scoping review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing for CALD communities, move beyond generic co-design approaches and invest in understanding their specific cultural frameworks and communication needs to foster genuine collaboration and co-creation.

Study
User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Co-designing Mental Health Services: Enhancing CALD Community Engagement

Co-design methodologies can be effectively adapted to improve mental health services for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities by addressing specific methodological and practical considerations.

Health & Social Care in the Community · 2020

01

Key Findings

  • 01There is a need to improve the experience of CALD communities when participating in co-design research.
  • 02Co-design methods themselves require development and adaptation for effective use with CALD populations.
  • 03Explanatory models of mental health, community, and co-design significantly impact partnerships with CALD communities.
02

Application

Design takeaway

When designing for CALD communities, move beyond generic co-design approaches and invest in understanding their specific cultural frameworks and communication needs to foster genuine collaboration and co-creation.

How to apply

When undertaking a design project involving CALD communities, conduct thorough cultural research, employ diverse communication strategies, and pilot co-design activities to ensure they are culturally appropriate and accessible.

Project actions

  • 01When selecting participants for your design project, ensure diversity that reflects the target user group.
  • 02Consider how cultural background might influence user needs and preferences in your design.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo identify research utilizing co-design methods with CALD communities for mental health service improvement and to highlight methodological considerations for such engagement.
MethodScoping Review
ProcedureA comprehensive search of five electronic databases was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles published in English over the last 25 years (1993-2019) that involved CALD individuals in the co-design of mental health services or programs. The identified articles were then analyzed using qualitative synthesis methods to identify key themes.
ContextMental health service design and improvement, with a focus on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.

Variables

IVCo-design methodologies and adaptations for CALD communities.
DVEffectiveness and experience of mental health service design/improvement.
CVCultural background of participants, specific mental health service context.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Provides a broad overview of existing research on co-design with CALD communities in mental health.
  • +Identifies key challenges and considerations for future practice.

Limitations

The limited number of studies reviewed may not capture the full spectrum of co-design practices with CALD communities. The focus on English-language publications might miss valuable insights.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the review's findings depends on the quality and consistency of the original studies. Validity is enhanced by the systematic search and qualitative synthesis approach, but the limited number of included studies might affect generalizability.

Think critically

How might the findings of this review be applied to the design of non-mental health services for CALD communities?

05

Design Principles

"Culturally Responsive Co-Design: Adapt co-design methodologies to respect and integrate the unique cultural perspectives, values, and communication styles of diverse user groups."

Designing inclusive and effective mental health services requires understanding and integrating the unique needs and perspectives of diverse user groups. Co-design offers a powerful framework for achieving this, but its application needs careful consideration of cultural nuances and communication barriers.

06

What This Means for Your Design

To make mental health services better for people from different cultural backgrounds, we need to involve them directly in the design process. This study shows that we have to change how we do this 'co-design' to make sure it works well for everyone.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user diversity and culturally sensitive design approaches in your design project.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research underscores the critical need for culturally responsive co-design when developing or improving services for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. By adapting methodologies to acknowledge and integrate specific cultural contexts and communication styles, designers can foster more equitable and effective outcomes, ensuring that services truly meet the needs of all users.

09

Source

Health & Social Care in the Community

A scoping review of the use of co‐design methods with culturally and linguistically diverse communities to improve or adapt mental health services

journal · 2020

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about co-designing mental health services: enhancing cald community engagement?
When designing for CALD communities, move beyond generic co-design approaches and invest in understanding their specific cultural frameworks and communication needs to foster genuine collaboration and co-creation. Evidence: Health & Social Care in the Community (2020).
Why does "Co-designing Mental Health Services: Enhancing CALD Community Engagement" matter for design?
Designing inclusive and effective mental health services requires understanding and integrating the unique needs and perspectives of diverse user groups. Co-design offers a powerful framework for achieving this, but its application needs careful consideration of cultural nuances and communication barriers.
How can designers apply this research?
When designing for CALD communities, move beyond generic co-design approaches and invest in understanding their specific cultural frameworks and communication needs to foster genuine collaboration and co-creation.
What were the main findings?
There is a need to improve the experience of CALD communities when participating in co-design research.. Co-design methods themselves require development and adaptation for effective use with CALD populations.. Explanatory models of mental health, community, and co-design significantly impact partnerships with CALD communities.
What research method was used?
Scoping Review.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2020 journal from Health & Social Care in the Community.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When undertaking a design project involving CALD communities, conduct thorough cultural research, employ diverse communication strategies, and pilot co-design activities to ensure they are culturally appropriate and accessible.
What are the limitations?
The review was limited to peer-reviewed articles published in English, potentially excluding relevant research from non-English speaking contexts. The findings are based on a relatively small number of included studies.