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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to familiarize managers with alternative social media applications of cross-cultural training approaches. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides an overview of the current state of social media-based cross-cultural training and its trajectory. Findings – Social media is increasingly an integral part of contemporary communication. This paper shows how training technologies engaging to the born-digital generation have multiple advantages and unique deployment opportunities for cross-cultural know-how development. Originality/value – This paper provides a technological reframing of intercultural training that better aligns with the practices of the millennial generation, who are ready to embrace the accoutrements of international business and global networks. Readers will be sensitized to the advantages and disadvantages of new social media for intercultural training and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Somalia is an East African nation with a history of civil unrest that produced a significant influx of refugees in the USA in the last 25 years. Between 2000 and 2010, 40 percent of all US Somali refugees settled in Minnesota, which produces new cultural and health challenges for local communities and the state government. One such challenge is vitamin D deficiency, or hypovitaminosis D (Hv-D). Hv-D is developed through insufficient exposure to sunlight and low nutrient intake leading to increased risk for weakness and inflammation, oral health problems, diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases and malignancies. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach In this narrative review, demographic, geographic and cultural information about Somali immigration are discussed.Findings Recent data suggest Somalis living in northern climates (Minnesota, the USA, Helsinki, Finland, Sweden and the UK) experience significant deficiencies in vitamin D. Vitamin D is stimulated by ultraviolet light exposure, a balanced and healthy diet, and dietary supplementation. High unemployment rates affecting access to health information and clinical services, significant cultural differences and climate differences pre-dispose this population to Hv-D. Health education and health promotion programming at the community and state levels in Minnesota should recognize the risk factors associated with Hv-D and the vulnerability of Somali refugees.Originality/value Current and future health programming should be re-assessed for adequate attention to vitamin D deficiency and cultural competency associated with the Somali immigrant population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to discuss the engagement of Pacific peoples in mental health services in Aotearoa New Zealand and Pacific strategies for suicide prevention. Design/methodology/approach -- This qualitative study involved 22 interviews with Samoans who had made a suicide attempt and/or had suicide ideation, were engaged in a mental health service. Findings -- Narratives of mental health services and suicide prevention focused on issues of cultural competency, the importance of family involvement, dichotomous views of western and traditional beliefs around mental illness and the unsuccessful engagement of Pacific youth. Originality/value -- This research argues that cultural considerations for Pacific communities are of paramount importance if mental health service engagement and developments towards Pacific suicide prevention strategies are to be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will discuss the efforts of one school-university partnership in providing individualized, high quality professional development in the form of a 9-credit, graduate course certificate program in culturally proficient leadership to in-service teachers across 3 schools in the university's PDS network. The researchers document their collaborative efforts in(l) developing the certificate program; (2) designing and implementing the graduate course work; and (3) using culturally responsive, anti-racist leadership tools to promote teacher awareness and critical reflection of issues related to equity, access, and socialjustice teaching (National Association for Professional Development Schools). Reflections on program implementation and student outcomes are also shared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The population of the USA consists of a culturally diverse mix of individuals, many of them recent immigrants, from a wide range of ethnic and racial groups. Given an increasing multicultural and multilingual population, an urgent need for cross-cultural community and health services, and for culturally competent practitioners, has emerged in the profession of mental health. The reality of that diversity raises two crucial implications: the profession needs more culturally competent practitioners to work with multicultural service-users; and the clinical assessment and treatment of the population has become more challenging and complex. This paper seeks to explore vital cultural components in training mental health practitioners to work with multiethnic groups.Design/methodology/approach - A qualitative and purposive methodology with structured interview questions was employed to gather data for analysis. The process of data analysis included line-by-line transcription of each interview and then the data were coded and categorized. Professors, experienced clinicians, and researchers in the multicultural field were interviewed for data collection.Findings - Thefindings were organized into four essential componentsinachieving cultural competency in mental health training. Attitudinal components: cultural appreciation, learning curiosity, assumption free, and cognitive flexibility; emotional components: emotional knowledge, reflective ability, worldview knowledge, and cultural alertness; intellectual components: cultural knowledge, single culture, and clinical knowledge; and integrative practice components: cultural engagement, integrative assessment, and integrative intervention process.Originality/value - The findings contribute to an expanded understanding and integration of major cultural elements in mental health training and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]