Knowledge Hub

This Guide has been developed by Foundation House (The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture) and provides information for those working with survivors of traumatic refugee experiences.

Settlement service literacy refers to the ability of migrants to access, understand and critically navigate settlement services. In Australia, increasing numbers of culturally and linguistically diverse migrants require settlement services to assist their transition. However, there are barriers to migrant’s ability to utilise settlement services which are related to their level of settlement service literacy. This review aims to shed light on how settlement service literacy influences new migrant’s utilisation of settlement services, and the consequences that it has for health, wellbeing and sense of belonging.

Spiritual Health Association is the peak body for spiritual care in the health sector. Spiritual Health Association's focus is on advocacy for and promotion of compassionate, person-centred spiritual care in health services. Spiritual Health Association has a range of resources which can be accessed via their website.  

Background

This study addressed the limited understanding of suicide risk and patterns among migrants in Australia. It examined national-level suicide rates and trends in the Australian population to identify migrant groups which are disproportionately affected by suicide.

Visit the link to view the full study.

The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific 2023;39:100845 Published Online 17July 2023 

https://doi.org/10. 1016/j.lanwpc.2023. 100845

The FASSTT network has released an information sheet for communities, educators and health professionals to understand the impact of international conflict on people who have experienced refugee-related trauma and how to respond.

The resource outlines common signs of trauma in adults, children and young people, how people can access urgent support if they are concerned about someone’s wellbeing, as well as details about the support FASSTT agencies can provide to communities across Australia and how to refer people to our services.

Released 8 November 2023. 

Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre provides this booklet to help you: Recognise the signs of suicide; and Talk with someone you are worried about who may be thinking about suicide or showing signs of wanting to end their life.

This booklet is translated into 24 languages, including: Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, Farsi, German, Haka, Hazaragi, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Karen, Korean, Maori, Nepalese, Polish, Punjabi, Rohingya, Russian, Samoan, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Thai, Tigrinya, Vietnamese

International students face unique stressors, including a greater risk of depression, financial and housing stress, academic pressures, and navigating cultural and language differences far from home. These stressors, combined with barriers to seeking help, can increase their risk of suicide. 

Addressing these challenges requires, a multi-faceted, student-empowered approach across systems, services, and agencies. 

Since 2022, the International Students’ Wellbeing Taskforce, led by The Victorian Suicide Prevention and Response Office at the Victorian Department of Health, has worked to support international students’ wellbeing in Victoria. The taskforce has now concluded and has produced many valuable wellbeing and suicide prevention resources. 

This specific resource provides a list of Mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention resources for Supporting international students’ wellbeing in Victoria. 

The Multicultural Access and Equity Policy is about ensuring that Australian Government programs and services meet the needs of all Australians, regardless of their cultural and linguistic backgrounds, by the Department of Home Affairs 

Abstract

Australia is a multicultural and linguistically diverse country. Despite the vital role of religion/spirituality in the mental health of people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, it is not commonly included in their mental health care. A rapid review was conducted to critically evaluate the studies that identifed relevant religious/spiritual aspects regarding mental health care for CALD communities. After a systematic search and screening, sixteen empirical studies were included. The fndings of the review suggest that people from CALD backgrounds draw strength and comfort from their religion to support mental health. Religious/spiritual practices were identifed as efective mental health strategies by CALD people. Religious leaders were noted to be important sources of mental health support and guidance for individuals from some CALD communities. Collaboration of religious leaders in the mental health care, and integration of religious/ spiritual practices into mainstream mental health interventions, may improve mental health care for people with CALD backgrounds. 

Author: Shikha Malviya

Published online: 13 February 2023

Journal of Religion and Health (2023) 62:2272–2296, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01761-3

Families living in Australia from refugee backgrounds can experience ongoing trauma when instability and conflict arises or escalates in their country of origin.

This tip sheet developed by Foundation House (The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture) provides useful information on what schools and services can do.