Knowledge Hub

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 

The National Suicide Prevention Strategy is the first major deliverable for the National Suicide Prevention Office. It brings together first-hand evidence provided by people with lived and living experience of suicide, the latest research, and recommendations from existing inquiries and report.

This Strategy aims to unify the efforts of governments, communities, and service providers to improve suicide prevention outcomes in Australia.

It provides an outline of what needs to be done to prevent suicidal distress, suicide attempts and suicide deaths.

Click the below link, which will take you to the National Suicide Prevention Office website. Please then scroll to the bottom of the page to download the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. 
https://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/national-suicide-prevention-strategy

Click the below link to access the Translated Summary of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy in five languages including: Arabic, Farsi, Samoan, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese. 
https://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/translated-summary-national-suicide-prevention-strategy

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. 

With funding from the Australian Department of Health Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) has worked with member organisations to provide culturally relevant and timely opportunities for CALD community members to access COVID-19 vaccine information. This report details the program and future recommendations.

Mental Health Australia has commissioned research to inform broader stigma and mental health research in CALD communities. This research focuses on Congolese, Arabic-speaking and Mandarin speaking Communities. A Report which details the research findings and recommendations is available.

This research was undertaken by Western Sydney University.

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