Suicide prevention

Resources for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communitiesThis resource provides some practical tips for professionals engaging and supporting culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to talk about suicide. The information is intended to supplement the existing ‘Conversations Matter’ resources and has been designed for people working in professional or leadership roles with communities in a range of settings.

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.

The Bridging Hope Charity Foundation partnered with the Lifeline Research Foundation and DiverseWerks to establish the feasibility of a Chinese language Lifeline service in Australia. The project explored the need for such a service within the Chinese Australian community, as well as cultural appropriateness for delivery of mental health and wellbeing support services and activities, in particular suicide prevention supports.

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. 

CIRCA was engaged by the National Suicide Prevention Taskforce, within the Commonwealth Department of Health, and commissioned through the Suicide Prevention Research Fund, managed by Suicide Prevention Australia, to undertake research that will help to build a better understanding about the lived experience of suicide in Australia to inform recommendations to the government. The focus of the research was on people who have attempted suicide or experienced a suicidal crisis and who are from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Date: 2 December 2020