Future Bound - A Partnership Approach to Mental Health, Ageing and Ethnicity
Conference - Melbourne, Friday 10 August 2007
Outcomes of the conference:
Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities (ADEC), together with the Conference Advisory Committee, held a successful conference to raise awareness about mental health issues among the elderly in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. The conference also aimed to promote the concept of partnerships (e.g. between research and practice, and between various stakeholders). The conference was held on Friday 10th August 2007 at the Angliss Conference Centre, Melbourne.
The conference was developed in response to the fact that, between 2011 and 2026, the number of people aged 65 and over from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD) is projected to experience a growth rate of 44%. By 2011 it is estimated that one out of every five people aged 80 and above will come from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. However relatively little Australian research currently exists on issues surrounding the mental health needs of older Australians from CALD backgrounds.
The conference successfully attracted around 150 Victorian and inter-state delegates from government, academia, primary health (e.g. GPs, nurses), allied health, community mental health, aged care, ethno specific support agencies and those in private practice.
Click here for the conference papers and presentations.
Feedback provided by delegates:
Some of the feedback provided by delegates about what they will be doing differently in their workplaces included:
“Take a broader view of policy implementation role from within my service”
“Will look to form local partnerships and also to help change work culture”
“Discuss cultural change within the organisation”
“Develop partnerships with local Multicultural council and local government to look at how we can increase capacity of older people from CALD backgrounds in Mental Health”
“Better targeted advocating within the health system for a more integrated mental health place”
“Improve and make new links to culturally specific services”
“More consideration of these issues when addressing clients at work”
“Consider changing assessment procedures to include CALD immigration stories (i.e. choice vs family decision) to assist us in identifying potential mental health problems”
Delegates also provided valuable feedback on how future initiatives could be coordinated and for the need to maintain momentum on the issues following the conference. ADEC is currently compiling the conference proceedings and will be developing a report with recommendations and will notify delegates as soon as this is available.
ADEC also welcomes any further comments, contributions and partnerships to progress the issues of the conference and can be contacted at mentalhealth@adec.org.au