This educational presentation provides an overview of the English-speaking Caribbean population to improve understanding and cultural competence when working with this group. It discusses the history and migration patterns of Caribbean people, including the diverse ethnicities, languages, and family structures represented in the population. The presentation also addresses some of the mental health challenges this group faces and provides best practices for professionals, such as avoiding assumptions, embracing cultural differences, and utilizing social support networks.

1. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION ON ENGLISH-SPEAKING CARIBBEANSETHEL E. ROYERHMS GRADUATE STUDENTUNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT SPRINGFIELD©MAY 20101

2. AUDIENCEMaster’s level human services students at the University of Illinois at Springfield, Illinois.2

3. PURPOSETo generate awareness, and to improve knowledge and understanding of English-speaking Caribbeans in their social context, in order for professionals to work effectively with this group.

4. To generate awareness of professionals to their mental health challenges.

5. To identify strategies that will promote multicultural competency with this ethnically diverse group.3

6. MULTICULTURALISM Multicultural competence is a term used to describe one’s ability to provide services effectively among many cultures. Cultural competence is described in terms of the individual and an organization’s ability to understand, respect, and effectively serve those in their societies who are culturally different(NOHS, 1996; Lynch & Hanson, 1998; Diller, 2007)4

7. MAP5

8. OVERVIEW OF CARIBBEAN6(West Indies, 2010)

9. ENGLISH-SPEAKING CARIBBEAN ISLANDSAnguilla

10. Antigua/Barbuda

11. The Bahamas

12. Barbados

13. British Virgin Islands

14. Cayman Islands

15. Dominica

16. Grenada

17. Jamaica

18. Montserrat

19. St. Kitts/Nevis

20. St. Lucia

21. St. Vincent/Grenadines

22. Trinidad & Tobago