The migration experience for families settling in Australia can be both exciting and challenging. This series of two papers captures how using culturally responsive practice can support children’s mental health and wellbeing when working with families across different cultural backgrounds.
Culturally responsive understandings for promoting children’s health and wellbeing across diverse communities (part one) outlines how familiarity with, and an understanding of, the four key domains that influence the mental health of children in culturally diverse communities provides a foundation for culturally responsive practice. It also encourages unconscious bias awareness, and the value of engaging cultural brokers and interpreters to avoid misunderstandings that can undermine families’ trust in services.
Culturally responsive strategies for promoting children’s health and wellbeing across diverse communities (part two) discusses the importance of moving practice beyond understandings of culture to acknowledge the unique experiences of each family. It explains how practitioners can learn much about the needs of children and families through cultural curiosity, and tailor service approaches to meet their needs. Grounded in families’ strengths, knowledge and skills, this paper offers some practice strategies that focus on children’s identity, health and social and emotional wellbeing.
By embracing these principles and continually striving to learn, you will be able to foster meaningful connections, promote positive outcomes, and support the wellbeing of children and families across different cultural backgrounds.