News and Events

Expression of Interest open for Primary Health Networks: Embedding the “Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia” with PHNs The Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Project (the Embrace Project) is committed to providing support to Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to work effectively with multicultural communities across Australia and improve the cultural responsiveness of mental health services. The Embrace Project is seeking Expressions of Interest from PHNs to Embed the “Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia” This opportunity will allow your PHN to :

Orygen has created a collection of resources about cultural diversity and mental wellbeing. The resources were developed to support the knowledge and skills of the youth mental health workforce, to work safely and inclusively with multicultural young people. To access the resources visit https://orygen.org.au/Training/Resources/Cultural-diversity-and-mental-wellbeing

The Embrace Project is looking for participants from across Australia who are passionate about multicultural mental health and ready to contribute to the next phase of the project to achieve real change.   As part of the National Consumer and Carer group you will:  provide insight into multicultural mental health, particularly the views and interests of diverse mental health consumers and carers   offer solutions and strategies for improving the outcomes for all people who are living with mental health issues and their carers  assist in project implementation and ensuring meaningful project outcomes  support the distribution of national approaches  provide links to local multicultural communities 

The information below highlights the various ways people can receive their COVID-19 vaccines in individual states and territories across Australia.   COVID-19 vaccine eligibility If you are a person with disability or a NDIS participant, 12 years and over, you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer and Moderna are available if you are 12 years old and over. AstraZeneca is available if you are: 60 years old and over 18 to 59 years old – you can choose to have AstraZeneca after discussing with your health professional.   New South Wales Vaccination appointments are available at more than 3000 locations across New South Wales (NSW) including pharmacies, GPs and NSW Health clinics. There are many ways you can make a booking to receive your COVID-19 vaccine.

RHS is trialing a helpline to assist Assyrian-speakers with questions they have about the COVID-19 vaccine and assist them book a vaccination appointment. Call 0459 884 573 during business hours.  Those who want to make a booking themselves can also use Vaccine Eligibility Checker which is available in Assyrian and Arabic (as well as other languages).

The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service working in partnership with UNSW is delivering a 2 hour training session for community leaders, community workers, and faith representatives working with CALD communities to promote uptake of vaccination, counter misinformation and address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. To book a session contact: your local Multicultural Health Unit or the NSW Refugee Health Service. More information about the workshops is available in this document.

Below are two NSW-based opportunities to request COVID-19 vaccine information sessions for community groups. Contact the NSW Refugee Health Service to request an in-language information session on COVID-19 vaccinations to communities with a refugee background. Contact RHS for details. Western Sydney Local Health District has developed a 1-hour COVID-19 vaccine information session for CALD communities living in Western Sydney. Bilingual trainers can deliver it in Arabic, Dari, Dinka, Punjabi, Urdu. Contact Daniel.Apat@health.nsw.gov.au.

R U OK? has translated key resources you can use if you or someone you know would prefer to get information in a language other than English. Which resources have been translated? A Conversation Guide 'How to Ask Tip Sheet' outlining what you might say during an R U OK? conversation. '4 Steps Poster' outlining the 4 steps to an R U OK? conversation. A4 Posters Download the resources here.

In its May budget, the Commonwealth Government announced funding for the next four years for the Embrace Project. We are delighted and excited to be able to continue to build on the work we have completed over the last three years. As part of our new focus, we are currently recruiting for two new positions within the Embrace Project. Project Manager Reporting to the Director External Relations this position has strategic and operational responsibility for leading and managing the Embrace Project and will undertake an array of project functions, including working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, providing project management advice, communications and governance, and ensuring any risks and issues associated with the project are identified and effectively managed. Read more information and apply here