Fact sheet

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.

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.   

When providing mental health services  to people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities a range of additional risk and protective factors need to be taken into consideration. The factors that are particularly important are migration and acculturation, racial discrimination and equity, language acquisition, and refugee experiences. These factors are inter-related and can exacerbate the likelihood of a mental illness or conversely protect against the development of a mental illness. By Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (MHiMA), 2014

Mental health services play an important role in supporting culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) consumers in their recovery by reducing impediments and barriers, and creating opportunities. To assist CALD consumers on the recovery journey, mental health services need to understand that recovery and its principles are not universal concepts and as a result  may present challenges for mental health workers and CALD consumers. By Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (MHiMA), 2014

Mental health promotion and prevention strategies for CALD people should primarily  aim to reduce stigma and increase mental health literacy. It is also important to design multicultural mental health promotion and prevention initiatives that focus on the key determinants impacting on CALD communities, and ensure culturally tailored approaches. This fact sheet was developed by Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (MHiMA), 2014

PHN Primary Mental Health Care Flexible Funding Pool Implementation Guidance, by the Australian Department of Health