The Embrace Project team has been engaging with Primary Health Networks (PHNs) over the past few months through various activities.

PHN Expression of Interest: Embedding the “Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia” with PHNs: 
Eleven PHNs were selected to receive regular support to implement the Framework from 1 April 2022 for a six – twelve month period.

Meetings with each participating PHN continue where self-assessments, action plans and next steps for Framework implementation are discussed. 

PHN Community of Practice meeting  
As part of the EOI process, the Embrace Project will facilitate at least two CoP meetings. The first CoP meeting was conducted online on 10 August 2022. It provided PHNs with the opportunity to share learnings, challenges, network and ask questions. Eight PHNs presented, and 29 people attended including PHN staff, Alliance representatives and Department of Health staff.   

A few key challenges that were raised included COVID-19, competing priorities, geographic challenge of a large area, reduced staff capacity and turnover, siloed work areas and end of financial year/contracting timeframes. 

The Embrace Project is implementing a CALD Community Engagement Project which strives to increase engagement and close partnerships with CALD communities. 

There are four phases of this project:

Phase one involved developing a Toolkit for CALD community engagement and is completed.

Phase two involves applying the Toolkit (from Phase one) in three target communities each year.

Phase three involves implementing the activities generated from Phase 2.   

Following extensive consultation and discussion by the Embrace Project advisory groups, the following three communities have been selected for the first year of this Project: 

• Rohingya community in Melbourne, VIC 
• Chinese/mandarin speaking community in NSW 
• Youth in Darwin NT

The Embrace Project sent out a tender for Phases 2 and 3 (Identifying and developing tailored responses to mental health issues) to target community organisations.

Four applications were received and  assessed by an evaluation panel consisting of Embrace Project staff, Mental Health Australia staff, FECCA staff member and a representative from the Embrace Lived Experience Group.

It is expected that the successful applicants will begin Phase 2 and 3 activities for one year.

Mental Health Australia commissioned research to investigate the mental health of three specific CALD communities over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. These were the Italian, Turkish and Vietnamese communities.

We are delighted to share the Final Report detailing the research findings and recommendations and the one page infographic. Both documents can be accessed on the Embrace website here. 

Webinar to launch research findings 

A webinar to launch the research findings was held with Mental Health Australia members on 31 August 2022. It will be repeated on 26 October 2022 for Embrace Project key stakeholders.

To register to attend the webinar click the button below. 

Mental Health Australia has commissioned a consortium from University of Western Sydney, University of NSW, and the University of Melbourne to help further inform broader stigma and mental health research in CALD communities.

This research focuses on Arabic, Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking communities and Congolese communities; will make a significant contribution to the knowledge of stigma surrounding mental health; and will inform future work on stigma reduction in CALD communities. 

A final report and literature review has now been received and a webinar is being planned to disseminate the findings in November 2022. 

Keep an eye out for the webinar! 

Mental Health Australia is delighted to lead the World Mental Health Day campaign in Australia, as the peak not-for-profit organisation representing the mental health sector in Australia.

Mental Health Australia has a focus on ensuring the whole community recognises the part we all play in creating a mentally healthy society. 
 
This World Mental Health Day, we look forward to partnering with you and together reminding everyone to “Look after your mental health, Australia”. 
 
In 2022, the focus of our annual initiative is awareness, belonging and connection. This October, follow our campaign calendar and register for resources and helpful tips to build and maintain positive mental health practices in your daily routine. 

To receive helpful resources and tips register here.

The Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (the Framework) is a free, nationally available online resource which allows organisations and individual practitioners to evaluate and enhance their cultural responsiveness. 

It is mapped against national standards to help organisations meet their existing requirements, and provides free access to a wide range of support and resources. 
 
Click the button below to register for the Framework, and find out more about tailoring the Framework to best meet your and the local community needs. 

Harmony Alliance is working with Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA) and National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) to better understand the experiences of migrant and refugee women with disabilities in regards to accessibility of healthcare services and disability support services.

As part of this online and confidential research survey, you will be asked about your experiences with health care and disability support services in Australia.

The survey is available in the languages below:

• English
• Arabic
  
• Mandarin
• Nepali
• Spanish
• Swahili

Please click on the links above to complete the survey in a language of your choice.

The Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA) has launched a national survey to delve into the everyday reality of multiculturalism in Australia from the perspective of multicultural people who live here. This survey will help the multicultural sector, and policy makers understand the present and build a better future.

This is the first survey designed to get insights and opinions from people from multicultural backgrounds. It will take about 15-20 minutes to complete.

You can participate in this survey if you are above 18 years of age.

Your participation is completely voluntarily, and you can stop at any time before submitting your responses to the survey. You can also skip questions you do not want to answer.

Please note, once you have submitted the survey, it is not possible to withdraw your responses. To protect your privacy, the information you provide will be kept securely and any identifying names or features will be removed.

The survey can be accessed here. 

The Multicultural Mindfulness Resources aim to help people from CALD backgrounds to improve their mental wellbeing, by providing a set of culturally-adapted and in-language mindfulness exercises in audio and video format.

The resources were developed with the support of community partners and is part of a broader program co-funded by Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network. 
 
Access the resources here.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has released a report on the health needs of CALD populations in Australia.

This report explores the use of linked data to report on the health of CALD populations, including it’s benefits, challenges and limitations.

Access the report here.

The Embrace Project is now on social media and we would love to connect with you. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube - or search for us @EmbraceMultiMH.

For more information visit the Embrace website https://embracementalhealth.org.au

02 6285 3100

9-11 Napier Close, Deakin ACT 2600

multicultural@mhaustralia.org

www.embracementalhealth.org.au