• Geographic isolation, a lack of culturally appropriate services, a lack of Indigenous staff within the available services, limited training of mental health service staff regarding Indigenous issues, stigma, and stereotyping all contribute to this community's limited use of current mental health services.’
• Indigenous people exhibiting symptoms of mental illness are often perceived by their community as experiencing a normal reaction to spiritual forces or a curse. As such, they may rely on their community for assistance and spiritual treatment.
• When Indigenous people do access mental health services, their needs are often unmet. The present state of mental health services does not recognise or adapt programs to Aboriginal beliefs and law, causing a huge gap between service provider and user.

What is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in mental health care? 

• In 2002 the NSW Legislative Council conducted an Inquiry into Mental Health Services in NSW. Following that in 2003, the Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC) held a Day of Participation and Action workshop to prioritise and progress the inquiry’s recommendations. A summary of the points made to the Inquiry, the resulting recommendations in relation to ATSI Mental Health and the priorities identified at MHCC’s workshop can be found at www.mhcc.org.au/seminar/ATSI.html
• Awareness of ATSI culture and mental health is increasing within the non-government sector. Some indigenous services provide a comprehensive and integrated mental health service that caters to ATSI needs. Others provide advocacy, information and referral for various ATSI groups around NSW. Increased resources would allow this sector to further increase public awareness regarding ATSI issues, promote understanding about varying cultural differences and develop appropriate services for all.
• The Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey released in May 2005, studying the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people is the most extensive survey of Aboriginal families ever undertaken. The report has called for a national strategy to break the cycle of Aboriginal poor health that looks beyond health to the resources needed for healthy child development.  The report can be downloaded at: www.ichr.uwa.edu.au

References:
Burdekin, B., Guilfoyle, M. & Hall, D. (1993). Human rights & mental illness – Report of the national inquiry into the human rights of people with mental illness. Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra.

Useful Links:

ATSIC Health site http://atsic.gov.au/tools/links_list.asp?Category=Health Centre for Mental Health, Department of Health www.health.nsw.gov.au/policy/cmh/atsi.html  




Multicultural Mental Health


Why is it important to consider culture in relation to mental health?

• Australia is a multicultural society with over 1.3 million people living in just NSW, or 23%, were born overseas and 16 per cent were born in a non-English speaking country.  There are over 100 languages spoken in NSW and one in six people aged 5 years and over speak a language other than English at home.

Can migration have a direct impact on people’s mental health?

• Yes. There are many factors associated with migration and the process of settlement which may contribute to an increased risk of developing a mental health problem including:
• A decrease in socio-economic status consequent to migration and settlement, such as prolonged unemployment
• Low levels of English language learning and proficiency
• Separation from social, religious and cultural networks, particularly from family and relatives
• Experience of trauma or prolonged stress prior to migration, especially in the case of survivors of war, torture and other forms of extreme human rights violations.
• Long periods of detention.

Source: Caring for Mental Health in a Multicultural Society (1998)

What barriers and problems do people from a multicultural background have in accessing mental health services?

• Cultural practices and concepts, religious beliefs and the language of the person affected by mental illness greatly influence the level of access to mental health services and the benefits they may receive.

• People from CALD backgrounds are less likely to use mental health services. When they do access services, it is often at a later stage in their illness and they are often hospitalised as involuntary patients. 

• They are more likely to seek assistance from bilingual GPs and may rely heavily on family members and other traditional methods for support and healing.

• Some ethnic communities experience high levels of stigma and shame associated with mental illness and are consequently less likely to access services.

• Social isolation.

What difficulties are mental health services having in assisting people from a multicultural background?

• Many mental health service professionals do not have the culturally specific knowledge and skills to identify psychiatric symptoms accurately in people from different cultural backgrounds
• There is inadequate information available for consumers and carers about the mix of available mental health services such as multidisciplinary care, case management, community support and rehabilitation services.

What is available for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in mental health care?

• The Australian Transcultural Mental Health Network was established in 1995 for the purpose of conducting research, policy development and education in relation to multiculturalism and mental health
• Awareness of culture and mental health is ever increasing within the non-government sector. Some services provide a comprehensive and integrated mental health service that caters to particular cultural and linguistic needs of certain communities. Others provide advocacy, information and referral for various cultural groups around NSW. Increased resources would allow this sector to further increase public awareness regarding multicultural issues, promote understanding about varying cultural differences and develop appropriate services for all
• The most recent research is a ‘Framework for the implementation of the National mental Health Plan 2003-2008 in Multicultural Australia’, designed to complement and expand on existing mainstream mental health policy. The report can be downloaded from www.mmha.org.au

Useful Links:

Transcultural Mental Health www.tmhc.nsw.gov.au/