Fact sheet

Mental health services and individual workers who work within them will often have very different understandings and explanations of mental illness from consumers who are from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Culturally responsive workers must seek to understand the illness experience of CALD consumers in order to gain their trust and respect, determine shared priorities, and plan and implement sensitive and effective intervention, treatment and recovery. By Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (MHiMA), 2014

Consumer and carer participation is a central tenet in mental health policies and plans. Set standards and benchmarks are outlined in the National Standards for Mental Health Services (2010). Participation encompasses a range of processes in which consumers, carers and family members are engaged to have their say at both individual and system levels and in the planning, development, delivery and evaluation of services. This fact sheet was developed by Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (MHiMA), 2014

Australia needs a mental health workforce that is able to respond to the diversity of the population. We must develop an informed, skilled, flexible and reflective workforce with strong leadership in order to deliver successful strategies that improve access, quality of  care and recovery services for CALD clients.  This fact sheet was developed by Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (MHiMA), 2014

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. 

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. 

Cultural responsiveness is an integral component of recovery-oriented service delivery and a critical consideration in improving the quality and safety of mental health services. By Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (MHiMA), 2014

Consumer and carer participation with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities needs to be approached in a way that respects cultural differences and shows understanding of the needs of CALD consumers, carers and their families. Consumer and carer participation with CALD communities needs to start with the mental health services actively engaging with their local CALD communities to build trust and tailored partnerships. Strategies for improving participation need to be multifocal and address jointly agreed goals.

Safety and quality practices underpin all activities undertaken by mental health services. They exist to provide clear, evidence-based pathways for staff to follow to ensure the best quality of care for all consumers. Governance for safety and quality provide mechanisms to safeguard high standards of health care through continual improvement.   This fact sheet was developed by Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (MHiMA), 2014

5 Ways to Wellbeing has developed five ways to improve psychological and emotional health that are based on extensive international research. The fact sheet has been translated into a number of different languages.

This document is designed to improve assessment and treatment of mental illness through effective communication between a mental health practitioner and an individual through the engagement of an interpreter. Language can be a significant barrier for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds to access and use services.