Mental Health Open Calls/Meetings 

At the NCIHC 2008 Annual Membership Meeting, a short discussion was held in plenary session regarding mental health interpreting and the Council’s potential role in supporting this field.

Participants identified the following as important issues facing interpreters in mental health;

  • Training for interpreters on working in mental health venues
  • Standards of practice for mental health interpreters
  • Awareness among mental health practitioners about the importance of having qualified interpreters.
  • Standards for working with interpreters in mental health settings
  • Training for providers on working with interpreters
  • Screening for candidates who could become appropriate interpreters in mental health settings
  • Differentiation of mental health interpreting from medical interpreting
  • Specialized testing – perhaps a specialty certificate after general certification

Participants identified the following as steps the Council could potentially take to support mental health interpreting:

  • Add a page to the website regarding mental health interpreting
  • Include a listing of training resources for mental health interpreting on the website.
  • Educate interpreter and providers about the difference between medical and mental health interpreting.
  • Provide recommendations for debriefing interpreters who work in mental health settings.
  • Develop Standards of Practice specific to mental health settings.
  • Develop Standards for Training Programs for mental health interpreting
  • Make recommendations about how to select interpreters who are appropriate to work in mental health settings.
  • Build awareness of the need for adequate self-care for interpreters who work in mental health settings.
  • Provide a forum for dialogue on mental health interpreting.
  • Open a discussion with the Executive Director for Behavioral Health Care Programs at The Joint Commission, Mary Cesare-Murphy. Get an experienced mental health interpreter on their Advisory Committee.