Approaches to support child mental health in culturally and linguistically diverse communities

Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) represents communities with diverse languages, ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, traditions, societal structures and religions. Approximately a quarter of children and young people are from CALD backgrounds in Australia. Children and families from CALD backgrounds can experience challenges that may affect their mental health and wellbeing. They can also face barriers to accessing and engaging with services. Tailoring your approach to work with children and families from CALD communities can help you to better address their mental health and wellbeing needs.

This webinar focuses on working with children and families from non-humanitarian migrant communities, and aims to increase practitioners’ skills and confidence to:

• Understanding the factors contributing to child mental health in CALD communities
• Considering ways to proactively engage with CALD communities to support early intervention and prevention
• Understanding key principles and practice approaches for building trust and rapport with children and families
• Using strengths-based approaches to supporting child mental health in CALD communities.

Facilitated by Gill Munro (Emerging Minds), the panel of presenters included Anagha Joshi (Senior Research Officer, AIFS), Julie Ngwabi (Senior Child Mental Health Advisor, Emerging Minds) and Zakkiyah Muhammad (Psychotherapist and Mental Health Social Worker).

The presenters offer perspectives on what these approaches might mean for mainstream service providers, and for cross-cultural partnerships between services and practitioners.

This webinar will be of interest to professionals working in health, education, social and community service settings with children and families from CALD communities.