Cultural Considerations in Crisis

One of the biggest mistakes communicators make? Waiting for a crisis to plan communications for non-English speaking audiences in Australia. It’s something I’ve seen over and over again during the past 14 years. A lack of planning means content is often rushed, unsuitable for translation, and ends up missing the mark. But imagine if your resources were ready to go before a crisis hit. Let's take COVID. We couldn’t predict the specifics of that pandemic—but we absolutely can plan for pandemics and epidemics. With a strategy in place, generic resources could have been prepared in advance and easily tailored when needed. Instead of starting from scratch, you’d already have the tools ready to mobilise. Or consider floods, fires, or storms. You can’t predict exactly where these events will occur, but you can create general resources about what to do in such disasters ahead of time. By planning early, you can take the time to co-design materials with communities. You can ensure resources reflect cultural nuances and account for differences in knowledge or experience. And most importantly, you can build trust by creating communications with communities—not just for them. This proactive approach makes all the difference. It leads to better outcomes and puts you in a position to act confidently—not react frantically. At Ethnolink, this is what we do every day. We work with clients to plan strategically, consult with communities, and co-design resources that are impactful and meaningful. The mistakes of the past don’t have to be repeated. Let’s start planning today—before the next crisis hits. #translation #CALD #multicultural #communications #culturaldiversity

“Too many non-profits and funders still roll into communities with a clipboard and a mission to document everything "missing."Needs assessments have become a default tool for diagnosing deficits, reinforcing a saviour mentality where outsiders decide what's broken and needs fixing[…] People most impacted by crisis aren't blank slates waiting for external solutions; they're part of complex socio-, political-, cultural systems with adaptive capabilities that existed long before international actors arrived and will remain long after they've gone.[…] At the end of the day, any approach that isn't rooted in pedagogies of care, intersectionality, mutual learning, systems thinking, co-design, economic and environmental justice and will ultimately replicate the same power imbalances it claims to disrupt.” 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 https://lnkd.in/dexSrtRg

I've been reflecting a lot on the concept of family lately. These reflections within the context of my research on intersectionality and marginalisation in disasters has led me to consider the role of family structures in how we respond to disasters or crisis situations. Family, in many ways, mirrors society—it carries similar vulnerabilities, capacities, and expectations around risk and safety, albeit on a more intimate scale. Families, like society, come in many forms - whether through blood relations, chosen families, or temporary bonds, this diversity is significant. Family life is complex even in ordinary times, but when viewed through the lens of disaster, these complexities can become even more pronounced. Older family members, for instance, face unique challenges. Social exclusion and isolation are prevalent, with older women frequently outliving their male counterparts due to differing life expectancies. This can lead to a situation where older women are left without traditional support systems, heightening their vulnerability in disaster situations. Gender and sexual minority family members also navigate significant obstacles. Disasters can disrupt the already limited contact and interaction these individuals have with their families, especially in contexts where their identities are not fully recognised or accepted. The lack of recognition of same-sex partners or non-binary identities can result in these individuals being excluded from critical decisions during crises, such as those related to health care, evacuation priorities, or even the acknowledgment of their relationships. Men and masculinities are also crucial to consider in this discussion. Societal expectations often place a heavy burden on men in a family unit to be 'responders' during disasters, assuming roles that involve taking risks and prioritising the safety of others. This expectation is compounded by the cultural stigma against men expressing emotions or trauma, which can lead to long-term psychological impacts that are rarely addressed. The pressure to conform to these traditional masculine roles can prevent men from seeking the support they need, exacerbating the emotional toll of disasters. Other family members, such as children or disabled individuals may experience varied levels of risk during disasters. Children, for example, are often dependent on adults for safety and may face heightened trauma due to their limited understanding and ability to cope with crises. In summary, the intersectionality of age, gender, sexual identity, and disability within the family context (amongst others) reveals the complex layers of vulnerability that disasters can exacerbate. A more nuanced understanding of these dynamics is essential for creating inclusive and effective disaster preparedness and response strategies that acknowledge and address the diverse needs of all family members in whatever form that family unit takes. #InclusiveDRR #LeaveNoOneBehind

A new study published in Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology emphasizes the urgent need for deep-structure cultural adaptations in suicide prevention. Unlike surface changes (e.g., images or wording), deep adaptations reshape the foundation of interventions by embedding cultural strengths, incorporating culture into crisis planning, and challenging cultural myths. Through focus groups with Black youth, caregivers, providers, and community leaders, researchers identified eight essential strategies for culturally adapted care: 1️⃣ Use wellness- and collective-focused language 2️⃣ Prioritize mutual trust and safe spaces 3️⃣ Reframe cultural myths about mental health 4️⃣ Integrate Black-focused content to validate identity 5️⃣ Affirm protective factors alongside stressors 6️⃣ Set relevant, attainable goals for youth and families 7️⃣ Infuse culture into crisis planning 8️⃣ Build Black-centered communities of care Implication: Suicide prevention for Black youth must move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. By centering racial socialization, trust, and community strengths, we can design interventions that truly resonate and save lives. Kim Gryglewicz, PhD, MSW, Margaret Phipps-Bennett, Michelle Vance, PhD, MSW, John Williams III PhD, Isis Bey, LCSW, CCTP II, TTS, Rehaana Herbert, Marc Karver, Sarah Dennis. 📖 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eFZ7AGvz #BlackYouth #MentalHealthEquity #SuicidePrevention