This paper aims to explore the role of the transcultural mental health worker as an alternative to the use of interpreters in an attempt to identify the communication barriers and improve the mental health care for black & minority ethnic patients in the Sheffield area, UK. A qualitative approach was conducted using a questionnaire, focus groups and semi structured interviews with 92 health and social care participants taking part. All participants apart from 7 found working with transcultural mental health workers either more effective than or as effective as interpreters due to their holistic approach in understanding the various mental health aspects and cultural boundaries. The study highlights the importance of addressing the cultural issues since the different cultural meanings can sometimes cause more difficulties of understanding between health and social care professionals and black & minority ethnic patients than language. It also highlighted the complexities involved in interpreting in mental health settings and the need to tailor practical training sessions and educational programmes for interpreters in this field.

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