The Chief Executive Officer for Southern Health-Santé Sud says a study has been done looking at mental health in Low German speaking communities.

Dr. Judith Kulig and Ling Ling Fan from the University of Lethbridge were tasked two years ago with researching how those living in Low German speaking Mennonite communities view mental
health. The team combed communities in Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta and Mexico, interviewing men and women, pastors, Church groups, community groups, orphanages and others. Kathy McPhail says they asked two questions.

The first question was, what are the knowledge and beliefs about mental health wellness and illness among Low German speaking Mennonites in the locations where they reside? And question two was, what are the best practice guidelines for mental health care for Low German speaking Mennonites in the participating geographic areas?

According to McPhail, the team is still finalizing its research document and the report has not yet been published. However, a presentation was made recently to the Board of Directors for Southern Health-Santé Sud. She says it appears Mennonite men and women have varying opinions on what leads to poor mental health.

"Men will talk about (mental health issues) being a family disease, it's passed from one to the other," says McPhail. "Women tend to look more at it as nerve trouble."

But she says both men and women often view mental health issues as being the result of not having a strong enough religious faith.

"That somehow it's connected to your strength of faith and your spiritual being," she says. "So very much mixed in to their religious practices and their health and their religious practices are very tightly connected."

McPhail says this information is very important for care providers who may not know the faith and beliefs of Low German speaking Mennonites. She says by gaining insight into what they think the cause might be, it opens the door for care providers.

McPhail says this information probably doesn't come as much surprise to care providers who have been working in these communities for some time. But she says it offers guidance in how to help. Furthermore, she says this will also help with new immigrants landing from places like Belize, Paraguay or Bolivia.

Southern Health-Santé Sud should receive its practice guidelines in mid-January.