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Working together towards change
Friday, February 22, 2019
I'm pleased to write to you all with an update on the National Multicultural Mental Health Project.
Priorities
In 2018 we were strongly focussed on bringing people together for this highly collaborative project, including mental health consumers and carers from multicultural backgrounds as well as key stakeholders from across the mental health and multicultural sectors.
Together, we have begun a significant program of work which builds on the achievements of previous national projects, and aims towards an equitable mental health system and improved mental health and wellbeing for Australia’s multicultural population.
In 2019 we will continue to work together to progress this important work, including:
- Providing support for organisations to evaluate and improve their cultural responsiveness through further development and promotion of the Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia
- Establishing, maintaining and promoting a quality-assured knowledge exchange and repository platform on the project’s website
- Increasing mental health awareness, knowledge and capacity in CALD communities
- Mapping available evidence-based resources and tools and from these findings, identifying priorities and developing new resources and training
- Establishing a data collection and reporting strategy
Initial efforts will focus on the development of the Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia into a series of modules. This includes reaching out to Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and mental health services across Australia, to help tailor the material to meet a range of service and community needs. Developing a new name, brand and website for the project will also be an early focus, and we look forward to launching the project’s new resources to you all in mid-2019.
Collaboration
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the key groups and teams who will be driving this work program.
Project Alliance
The Project Alliance provides high level guidance and makes strategic decisions about the project's direction. The Project Alliance brings together senior representatives from three national peak bodies: Mental Health Australia, the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA) and the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA). Importantly, it also includes a consumer and a carer representative, as nominated by the members of the CALD Mental Health Consumer and Carer Group.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Mental Health Consumer & Carer Group
The CALD Mental Health Consumer and Carer Group is comprised of a consumer and a carer representative from each state and territory of Australia. The Group includes a passionate, energised and diverse mix of voices and will provide advice to the Alliance based on members' lived experience and connections to their communities.
CALD Mental Health Consumer and Carer Group shown here with members of the Project Team
Stakeholder Group
The Stakeholder Group includes senior representatives from across the multicultural, mental health and related sectors. The Group will provide advice to the Alliance based on members' expertise and links to multicultural communities and the mental health workforce.
Stakeholder Group meeting with Mental Health Australia staff
Project Team
The Project Team is based at Mental Health Australia and includes myself as National Project Manager along with Policy and Project Officer, Kaitlin Saunders and Project and Administration Officer, Charlene Singh. Staff at FECCA and NEDA also provide support to the Project. Our team can be contacted on 02 6285 3100 or at [email protected].
Thank you once again for your interest and support for the National Multicultural Mental Health Project. We look forward to keeping you updated with news and opportunities as the project progresses.
Warm regards
Ruth
National Multicultural Mental Health Project Update
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Applications open for consumers, carers from CALD backgrounds to join the new national multicultural mental health project
Friday, July 27, 2018
Positions Vacant - National multicultural mental health project
Friday, May 11, 2018
A renewed national focus: Bringing together the mental health and multicultural sectors
Friday, May 04, 2018
Language services
The blue interpreter symbol is the internationally recognised interpreter symbol. For more information about this symbol view here.
For practice guidelines and tools related to working with interpreters, preparing and using translated materials, browse MHiMA's knowledge exchange. You will also find language policies related to mental health interpreting and translating in each state and territory.
National services
The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is an interpreting service provided by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to provide interpreting services for people who do not speak English and for agencies and businesses that need to communicate with their non-English speaking clients.
TIS National provides: immediate phone interpreting ATIS voice-automated voice-prompted immediate phone interpreting pre-booked phone interpreting on-site interpreting
TIS National's immediate phone interpreting service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year for the cost of a local call for any person or organisation in Australia who needs an interpreter.
Some agencies may be eligible for access to free interpreting services through TIS National. How to contact:
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)
Phone: 1300 655 820
Immediate phone interpreting: 131 450
Fax: 1300 654 151
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.tisnational.gov.au
“I need an interpreter” cards can be ordered from TIS National. The card assists people with limited proficiency in the English language access services by helping them request interpreter assistance and makes it easier for staff in government agencies to arrange for a competent interpreter in the correct language.
Other useful links:
- Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators
- National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI)
State and territory services
In addition to using TIS National, state and territory mental health service providers have local interpreting and translating service arrangements in place.
Australian Capital Territory
For information, go to the ACT Government Health Directorate, webpage Interpreter Service.
Northern Territory
The Department of Regional Development and Women's Policy webpage, Interpreting and Translating Service NT
outlines the interpreting and translating services it provides.
Queensland
The Queensland Health webpage, Queensland Health Interpreter Service (2012) outlines interpreting and translating services information for members of the public and health workers.New South Wales
South Australia
The Interpreting and Translating Centre website describes the centre's work in health and other settings. For more information about accessing language services in mental health settings, use the general contact details on the SA Health, Mental Health Services webpage.
Tasmania
The Department of Health and Human Services webpage, Translating and interpreting services, includes information for clients about how to contact the Telephone the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) and a fact sheet for consumers and carers using services.
Victoria
Requirements in relation to working with interpreters in mental health settings are outlined on Victoria's Mental Health Services webpage, Use of language Services in Area Mental Health Services (2012). The following agencies provide interpreting and translating services in mental health settings:
Western Australia
The Office of Multicultural Interests, Department of Local Government, webpage Western Australian Language Services Policy 2008 includes links and information. The WA Government does not recommend specific translating and interpreting providers but suggests exploring the following links:
