Community Development Program
Current data reveals that in Australia, people from ethnic communities do not access mental health services at the same rate as other Australians, despite experiencing similar levels of mental health problems.
The goal of ADEC's Community Development Program is to work with ethnic communities and ethno specific organisations to increase access to mental health services.
Reasons why people from ethnic backgrounds may not be able, or feel comfortable accessing mental health services could be due to:
- Stigma about mental illness within communities;
- Lack of information about mental illness and services available;
- Fear of not being properly understood by service providers;
- Belief that services are not culturally appropriate;
- Cultural understandings about the causes of mental illness;
These are real and legitimate concerns for ethnic communities which need to be addressed both within communities and by service providers.
ADEC's Community Development Program works with ethnic communities and ethno specific organisations to:
- Raise awareness about mental health problems and their symptoms;
- Raise awareness of how to seek help;
- Reduce the stigma around mental health within communities;
Further Information
If you would like to learn more about the Community Development Program please contact:
Ahmed Tohow
Community Development Worker
Transcultural Mental Health Access Program
Phone: (03) 9480 1666 (reception)
E: ahmed@adec.org.au
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