There are a number of national policies and guidelines that inform culturally responsive mental health care. Listed here are some of the key documents that might be helpful in referencing and supporting services to develop and improve culturally responsive policies and practice.
For additional resources, please visit the Embrace Project's Knowledge Hub.
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The purpose of this guide is to provide information to Australian mental health services, practitioners, Primary Health Networks and others on what good practice looks like in working effectively with people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
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It is intended to provide practical advice and guidance for mental health service providers
National Standards for Mental Health Services (2010)
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The National Standards for Mental Health Services (2010) are published by the Australian Government, and recognise the importance of culturally responsive practice
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The Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia has been mapped against these standards, with 'Standard 4: Diversity Responsiveness' being of particular relevance
National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (second edition, 2017)
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The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (second edition, 2017) are published by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, and include consideration of diversity in service planning and delivery
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The Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia has been mapped against the current edition of these standards
Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan
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The Fifth Plan acknowledges the relevance of culture to the experience of mental health and illness including the need to tailor approaches to different groups, for example in relation to stigma reduction and digital service delivery
Primary Health Network Mental Health Tools & Resources
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There are a range of tools and resources available to Primary Health Networks (PHNs) in relation to mental health reform implementation
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Of particular relevance, the guidance material on ‘Psychological Therapies Provided by Mental Health Professionals to Underserviced Groups’ identifies people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds as an underserviced group and provides accompanying advice
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Adoption of the Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia by Primary Health Networks and service providers is supported in the report ‘Reform and System Transformation: A Five Year Horizon for PHNs’
Multicultural Access and Equity Policy
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The Multicultural Access and Equity Policy has been developed for Australian Government departments and agencies, with resources and support to implement the policy available through the Department of Home Affairs website
National Framework for Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Services
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The National Framework for Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Services recognises the need for culturally responsive mental health services, in particular Practice Domain 2 (Person First and Holistic) includes cultural responsiveness as a key capability