improving the quality of mental health interpreting in victoria

interpreting work’ were ranked as ‘not very true or least true’ for around half of the
respondents (42.9 and 50 percent respectively) and not ranked at all for the other 50
percent.
Curriculum Topics of Importance
Of the topics listed (refer to list on pages 28-29 or see Appendix Two) most were
considered either quite important or important. Of those considered ‘very important’, the
top five when ranked were:
1. The role of the interpreter in the mental health setting
2. Translation issues in the mental health setting: conveying meaning across cultures
3. Introduction to the major mental disorders
4. Interpreting in crisis situations
5. Issues in interpreting assessment tests
From a trainers perspective we believe there should be focus on the technical aspects.
i.e., an interpreted situation is complex enough to start with: how do all parties work
together with the interpreter to maximise a positive outcome for all?
MHIRG member.
Program structure
Most respondents selected either a Professional Development (PD) series of sessions (45.5
%) or a PD course (36.4 %) as the most beneficial structure for a program in mental
health interpreting.
It was also commented that it is more appropriate at an Advanced Diploma Level. Although
responses varied on estimating duration for the program, one-third of respondents
supported a 6 months, one day a week university course, with a low number (15.4 %)
preferring 2-3 hours and seven days as possible duration times for the course. Some of the
additional comments suggested a PD series may be necessary in the shorter-term and the
possibility of a university course may be a longer-term approach.
Recognition and Incentives
Almost half of the respondents located preferential bookings from interpreter agencies as
being the most valuable outcome for training participation to interpreters, with preferential
bookings from mental health services being preferenced as the second most valuable to
interpreters. A certificate and NAATI accreditation were also rated as valuable to
interpreters.
The cost for mental health interpreting training was considered the responsibility, either
partly or fully, of the State Government’s Department of Human Services (DHS), followed
by a funded training or PD program through the VTPU, then by university fee, and lastly
with a cost to the interpreter.
If the cost and time of a mental health interpreting training course suited interpreters, half
the respondents believed that ‘many would attend’ (41.7%) but also that it would ‘depend
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