Currently in Australia, people from ethnic communities are not accessing 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 mental health service providers to increase access to mental health services

Reasons why people from ethnic backgrounds may not be able, or feel comfortable accessing mental health services include:

• 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 is working within ethnic community organisations and mental health services to:

• Raise awareness of mental health problems and their symptoms
• Raise awareness of how to seek help and what to expect if you do
• Ensure that when people from ethnic backgrounds do access mental health services they are appropriate to their needs
• Reduce the stigma around mental health within communities

 

Further Information

If you would like any further information about the program, please contact:

Ahmed Tohow
Community Development Worker

Transcultural Mental Health Access Program
Phone: (03) 9480 1666
Fax: (03) 9480 3444

Toll Free: 1800 626 078
Email: ahmed@adec.org.au

Click here to return to the main page of Transcultural Mental Health Access Program

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