Transcript for
Responding to racism and the stigma of single parenting

Narrator (00:02): 

Welcome to the Emerging Minds Families podcast. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (00:05): 

Hi, I am Nadia Rossi and you’re listening to an Emerging Minds Families podcast. We would like to pay respects to the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains. We also pay respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their ancestors and elders past, present and emerging from the different first Nations across Australia. This episode contains themes of racism. If you feel this topic may bring up difficult feelings for you, perhaps give this episode a miss and join us next fortnight. Or you can find resources for support in our show notes. When stigma happens to our families, it can be really hard to know how to respond, but there are many ways that families can and do respond to stigma, discrimination, and injustice, to hold onto their family’s dignity and support their children’s wellbeing. 

(00:57): 

This podcast is part of a series where we explore some of the ways that families do this. Maybe you’ll connect with some of their stories and skills, or maybe they’ll spark some ideas for facing stigma in your own family. In this episode, we are talking with Wei. Wei was born in China and now lives in Australia. She is a single mother and is here today to talk about ways the stigma of single parenting has impacted her and her children’s life, the racism and discrimination they have faced and how she navigates her family through it all. Welcome, Wei. It is great to speak with you today. 

Wei (Guest) (01:30): 

It’s lovely to be here. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (01:32): 

Wei, can you tell us a bit about who makes up your family? 

Wei (Guest) (01:35): 

So as you just mentioned, I am living with my two beautiful children. I’m the primary carer of them, so three of us we’re very happy to be in Australia. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (01:46): 

I mentioned in our introduction that you moved from China to Australia. Can you talk a bit about what that was like for you? 

Wei (Guest) (01:54): 

So as you said, I was born in mainland China. So after came here and after many, many years, I just realised actually, I feel I was reborn, because everything is different. So the landscape is beautiful here. So does China, but they’re just very different. And also people here are so multicultural. While in mainland China, when I was still young or grown up, the majority of people are Chinese. So that’s quite different. In Australia, we have people from all over the world. We share different cultures, different languages, different custodiums, all these things. And also the region quite different as well. And schooling is very different. How I’ve been brought is very different from my parenting and how I want my children grow up. All of this are very different, and also in China I’m categorised as a majority. So I grew up as a majority. I never felt being discriminated as a majority, so everything’s different, but I really enjoy my life both in China and in Australia. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (03:03): 

You touched on that then, but in what ways has your experience of stigma been different since moving from China to Australia? 

Wei (Guest) (03:11): 

A few. When I was in mainland China, I just grew up as a normal ordinary Chinese little girl, followed all the cultural expectations and social expectations, as well. While in Australia, people look at me would have a second thought. Initially, when they came here, my accent is even stronger than I’m having now. So people actually give me more the look, the feelings I can instantly pick up, and the longer I’ve been here because I’m learning how we should do what we should do here, and I get more people, not directly, but I know they think I’m a banana, so white inside but look different outside. That sounds very racism, but I know that’s existing. And with parenting I feel the stigma is quite obvious. Like years ago, and there was a book, very famous book called Tiger Mum. So every time all the teachers, educators or even my friends, other people look at me as tiger mum. 

(04:18): 

I think that some people are tiger mums or tiger dads. It doesn’t mean I’m like that. So my priority with my children at school was just like, “Are you happy? Are you doing what you’re supposed to do as your age? Have you learned all the things you’re supposed to learn? Are you happy? Did you make friends? Are you socialised? Are you enjoy just being yourself?” I think that’s my main focus. Yes, academic achievement is important, but not as important as other things at the moment. But when I actually go to parent-teacher interviews with the educators, when they look at me, they’re straight away wanting to, “Oh, your children did maths pretty okay.” And English I would think probably work on whatever areas I think, “Would you please talk about if he’s happy, does he have any troubles, does he ask questions if he have to? Does he have friends? Can he cope all the changes and routines? Can he follow instructions?” All these things. So I feel that’s quite interesting. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (05:23): 

Parenting seems quite personal to you and you are kind of trying to reframe, I guess, what people take on face value. 

Wei (Guest) (05:30): 

I feel that’s a quiet stigma. I feel like there’s another important thing, the society as individuals, we look at the society and the other people differently. So I think in Australia we’re more like individualism, we focus more about ourselves, how we see the world, how we feel, how we do in our family. But I feel a lot more Chinese people, or people who have Chinese background, will look at things more collective way to start with, and then individualised. And another thing I forgot to say, I’m here only talking my own experiences, and I know China, mainland China on other areas, it’s a big country. People all have different experiences. Everyone came here in a different time. So other experiences might be very different. So I am talking about how I feel, what I see. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (06:20): 

Absolutely. And do you find that there are times when, I guess, the stigmas that you’ve just mentioned, do you find that there’s a time where they may show up more often ,or when you feel you’re experiencing it in a scenario they’re like, “Oh yes, this is what it’s happening?” 

Wei (Guest) (06:40): 

Personally, because I did my study here as well, and I was treated as the quiet Asian student. So it is not only from the teachers or lecturers, but also from other classmates as well. Because generally, the stigma of Asian students are very quiet, they’re passive. But I do initially, because I’m being trained when not being, so how do I say it is? I’m not always … I have to be the first, I have to talk first. I give opportunity to other people and then I’ll wait on my turn and always be the first it is not be considered as positive as we’re doing here. And also because education system is so different. So I do need a little bit of time to tap into our system here, which is I feel it is a very good way, because we encourage people to share their opinions. While what I experienced in my education system was more like, yeah, the saying, “You just take turns to share,” but it’s more like not encouraged being creative, not being as encouraged, have different [inaudible 00:07:52]. 

(07:53): 

So I really enjoy learning the new ways, but I do need a little bit of time and, when I’m in the workforce, I still doing similar things. I generally give other people opportunity to talk first, unless people direct look at me and think, “Oh that’s my turn, so I’ll speak.” So I feel that’s the difference because of my cultural background, which I don’t think doesn’t bother me, but it definitely give other people a different perception of me. I’m definitely a person who can talk, and I like talking. Yeah, just few people do look at me differently until I start to talk. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (08:30): 

Sure. 

Wei (Guest) (08:30): 

Because if I don’t talk, they probably just think, “Oh you’re just a foreign student,” or it’s a person from overseas. But when I start to talk, people realise, “Oh you do have similar values, you do have similar styles of thinking or way of looking at things.” So we’re more likewise rather than so different. A few people feel very uncomfortable when we are so different. But I feel in Australia, as part of our culture, we are just different individual from individual. So I feel another thing as a barrier is my accent. Initially my accent, I still have an accent, but initially it was so strong. People might think, “Oh, they might feel like there’s a barrier of communication.” But I feel, as time goes, I’ve been reduced my strong accent. I don’t know it’s a good thing or bad thing because I’m losing my other language ability, unfortunately, because I’m not using as much I used to. But that make a difference. And the longer I live in Australia and the more common things we share, I feel people are generally friendly and, especially when they’re curious, when they’re interested, and we can more open conversations, have more connections. But if people have a really rigid mind, not interested, and then make more barriers … 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (09:54): 

We talked about the workplace and then also in education. I’m wondering about how stigma has impacted you as a parent and your family life. Does it shape the way you see your role as a parent? 

Wei (Guest) (10:07): 

As I said, I’m a very proud Chinese Australian. I feel I do have to address where we were from because it’s part of our identity. But on the other hand, I want to adopt all the good things from both culture and the system. Within the system, I have a little bit of trouble to navigate [inaudible 00:10:29], because it is so different and people assume you know everything, but I don’t, plus I’m a single mum so, sometimes, I don’t have another person to bounce into. So which makes it harder. And luckily the community I’m in, it was very supportive, very open. So they never said to me, or never make me feel uncomfortable when I’m asking questions. I really like Harmony Day, because Harmony Day is the opportunity everyone to celebrate all our backgrounds. Everyone’s encouraged to dress in their own cultural dress, and even though they don’t, dressing orange is good enough. 

(11:07): 

So I do want them to learn we have Chinese heritage, we want to have the good stigma. We work hard. That’s why I try to encourage my children, “Look, you study hard if you can,” apart from having fun. Having fun is important when they’re young. The best stigma is that we’re only focused on academic achievement. We don’t focus on other things. So these are the part I feel I’m actually proud to show them to present. I’m a mum, I’m both on one hand, wellbeing is important, or actually more important. Academic achievement is important, but less important. Actually present to the school. Not every Chinese parent is the same. At least I am this type of people. My children need to be happy first, need to find the purpose of their life first. Academic achievement is a great bonus, and I try to have the good stigma in their head, “Work hard.” 

(12:06): 

Unfortunately, they’re not working very hard, which is okay. And another thing is I feel another stigma with people with Chinese background is we are not that keen on participating in the community events. I feel that’s a stigma. So I’m trying my best to participate because I’m busy as a single parent. So I still try to participate, set a good example for my children. So look, we are celebrating two different cultural backgrounds. My children asked me interesting question because he’s telling me in his class, there’s people from India. So it got him thinking. He asked me a question, “Mum, what percentage of Australian I am?” I was like, “What?” I’ve never thought about it. “I was born overseas, but I’m Australian, you were born here, you’re a hundred percent … Or me, we are all a hundred percent Australians. The only thing I need to add on is apart from a hundred percent Australians, we have Chinese heritage. So we need to read more books. That means we need to learn more things to be able to actually, when other people ask me about Chinese culture, we are able to educate. So we are an advocate for this Chinese Australians.” So that was an interesting part. So in my eyes, my children I know have no differences from other Australian children at all. But we do sometimes expect it to work harder or focus more on academic achievements. That’s interesting. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (13:36): 

It sounds like you’re really in your children’s corner and as far as educating the school and people around you as well, you’ve really, you’re there for your kids and their education and supporting them holistically in everything. I’m wondering when they do feel the impact of stigma like discrimination or of anything like that does come their way, how do you see it affect them and how do you, I guess, support them in their well-being and that, how do you communicate with them? 

Wei (Guest) (14:03): 

We do experience all different things. Some people might experience something worse or something very subtle, sometimes a very hard to pick up, as well. So our priority, as I always talk to my children, safety is our priority. So they have to learn to assess the situation. If anything alarming not being safe, they have to move themselves as fast as possible away from whatever’s happening. So do me, I do the same thing. So whatever happens, it has to be safe. We have to make sure it’s a safe environment with safe people around. Second step for us is, if we make sure it’s a safe environment and we make sure we’re talking to safe people, we have to be respectful to speak up. We are not tolerant with people being discriminative, we’re not tolerant other people look down at us, based on whatever. Just as other children I would talk to as well, because I’m an educator as well. So every single student, for me, we are the same. No one should be hurt in any way, but we need to choose the good way to speak up. We don’t have to be dramatic, we don’t have to be aggressive. I feel, as long as we’re being respectful, being assertive and pass message clear enough. And if another person is a safe person, open-minded would love to change, it should be the best outcome. 

(15:37): 

And there is an example. One of my children learn tennis. The thing is very hard for me to watch him. Other children have all the same turns, but he got skipped a couple more times. But the skipped kids are all like white Aussie kids with blonde hair, blue eyes, very fine skin. But he got skipped. He got very fine skin but he got a bit dark, brown hair, dark eyes. So for me, if only one time that might be a mistake. Everyone make mistakes, fine. But it’s consecutive every single time. So after second training session, I just had a conversation with a coach. I said, “I think thank you so much for doing all this hard work, but I noticed something happens like blah blah has been skipped a couple of times. I’m not sure what’s that behind it, probably didn’t even notice. But I feel for him it is such a huge thing because he got skipped.” I didn’t want to make anyone feel embarrassed. I didn’t want to make it is like, “You’re racist,” or whatever like that. I just feel like, “Look, for my child it’s a huge thing. He would look at, ‘Why these people have extra chance? Why I got skipped?'” And it’s very important for my little child. 

(16:53): 

And the response I got, “Oh, I didn’t realise, I’m sorry for that. I’ll make sure he got treated equally as others.” So I feel that’s a good outcome. I don’t want to make a big thing, but I want everyone being treated in the same way and, eventually, I’m happy the coach is all right, my kids were being looked after. So I feel in that way this is successful scenario. But there are some other cases, it’s very disturbing because, as you can tell, I am very keen on celebrating all the celebrations including Chinese and Australians. So we have our Christmas tree, we decorated, we’re doing all the things. But for Chinese New Year we do the same thing. We do the couplets, we do the lanterns. But one thing is, will make us very visible in the street. So our house during Chinese New Year will look very different from some other houses. So we were targeted, we was dropped off very recent letter with very nasty message in it. It’s completely blaming me just because I’m a Chinese heritage, I feel that’s another stigma, very typical thing. Just because you have that heritage, so you have take all the blame for whatever reason, for whatever problems this person actually have. I have no interest in politics, but we got all the blame, and that does have a big impact on my children because I have no idea who dropped that letter in my letterbox. 

(18:22): 

Apparently, they know we have Chinese heritage, so they dropped their letter without even envelope, just folded very interestingly, dropping down a letterbox. I read it, I said, “Children, you should … we stay away from front yard for a while.” So I feel that’s very unfair for my children, just because we’re not sure who is doing this, if they’re going to cause harm for us, they’re not allowed to play in the front yard anymore for a certain period of time. And I have to say, “Look, we received that letter, which is not very nice. That’s the reason I do this. And because we don’t know who dropped that letter, I’d be very upfront and clear with you. So you have to be more alert than ever,” which is not very fair for them as well because they have done nothing wrong and they have to pay more attention about their surroundings. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (19:11): 

And how do they respond to that? Do they have any questions? 

Wei (Guest) (19:13): 

They just say, “Who did this? Who did this?” My little one’s a little bit scared, so I feel like that’s a very negative fact. But I have to reassure them, “Look, every single society have different people, and every single people might have their own problems. They make these choices to do this, is purely on this individual, and this absolute not okay, we shouldn’t tolerate that. But our priority is our safety. We need to make sure we are safe first and then, if things happen, we can talk to the police.” I did, I went to the police. Police said. “If that happen again, we’ll do whatever, but this time we can’t do anything.” And I put cameras in my front porch. So I did all the things I can possibly do. Luckily, or not luckily, it did not happen again so far. So hopefully that’s the end of it. But the impact on my children I feel is very unfair, and they probably will remember it, and they will think, “When I was young somebody did this and make me uncomfortable, make my mum stressed because my mum would worry about my safety. And we’re wondering who is in the neighbourhood against we’re all Australians.” There’re not supposed to be any differences. And also I think because our community was very nice, so when they go to school I tell to the teacher as well, they’re very busy. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (20:39): 

I was going to ask about that, because I love that you have the conversation around safety and taking those considerations and teaching your children to assess the safety in the situation, because they have to protect themselves, as well as you seem to take on so much, as educating people in these considerations and your safety just to exist in your community. So I’m wondering what things have made a difference in reducing the effects of stigma in your community? So are there groups or supports in your community that have supported you? 

Wei (Guest) (21:10): 

I have a group of friends who have been very supportive because, it’s interesting, my friends all have different backgrounds. So my children, I think, they were lucky because when I was little I’m not lucky enough to see people from all different backgrounds. So they grew up seeing, “Oh, mum’s friends are all very different.” They separate all different cultures. And I think, I hate to say this, but I have to admit it because I have a lot of very nice open-minded, beautiful white friends. The way they think, the values they hold, the same as exactly what I’m having. So when my children looking at them, they’re not racist at all. They’re so open-minded, nice, and always be kind, wise as well. So they’re thinking, “Oh yeah, people just like that.” So in their head, people doing wrong things, making round choices is just a certain group, a very small number of people, and they exist all over the world. It’s not only here. 

(22:08): 

So for them the life’s too good. They have been seeing great things in their life. Plus, when they go to school, school treat this very seriously as well. So since they were little, I’ve been meeting all the teachers, harassing the teachers and I try to communicate with them all the time, talk to the principals and everyone on the same page. So I feel that’s a very good supportive school community as well. And school’s message is very clear. Respect all the cultures, everyone’s different but we respect each other. So I feel that’s very nice. Even though when I bring the letter to the teacher, the teacher just was shocked because, in her mind- 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (22:45): 

So you showed the letter that was sent to your home to the teacher? 

Wei (Guest) (22:47): 

Yeah, because I want them to be on board to say, “Look, this is what happened. My children were exposed to the conversation with these, I want everyone to understand. If they talk about anything, you’re aware where that’s from. It’s not because they’re weird, it’s because that happening.” And the teacher’s reaction was really convincing because their reaction’s like, “This is a zero tolerance, about those sorts of behaviours’ not acceptable. You have a community.” And they even suggest me, “Have you gone to the police?” “Yes I did.” “Do you have a camera?” “Yes, I date everything.” So I feel so we are like-minded, we’re on the same page how to bring our children up. So I feel a good community from school, good community network around us is really important. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (23:32): 

And I think helping your children feel supported in that community and hearing you advocate for them, as well. Having a parent that you are experiencing the stigma and the discrimination as well, but having them know that you are there for them, and you are reaching out to the teachers, and having the teachers aware of what’s going on. 

Wei (Guest) (23:52): 

I feel like they have to have the trusted adults they can go to. Like mum is one, teachers can be another source, and mum’s friends can be another source, as well. So I feel they’re making them feel, “Yes, I’m grounded, I know where to reach into if I have any problems.” Yeah, I think safety and security for children are very crucial. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (24:16): 

Absolutely. For people who experience this stigma, this discrimination, what do you think they should know, or how could they address the stigma that they see? 

Wei (Guest) (24:25): 

I feels like, just compared to myself before I came to Australia, I feels like I don’t even think about it because I never got problems with that. But after I came here, I had the first-hand experiences, and I have to deal with it. So that make me feel like if I’m talking to the person of myself who hasn’t come to Australia, what should I tell her? So I actually thought first I want to tell her please be open-minded, please be interested, please be prepared to hear and listen to things you do want to hear and listen to, and please be prepared for difficult conversations. Please be prepared for the uncomfortableness, because all of this can help you grow. I want to tell her it’s okay to say I don’t feel comfortable, I really don’t know what I’m expecting. And again, it’s okay to say I don’t even know how to react on it, but I want to say, be genuine. 

(25:26): 

That’s all you need to do. And I feel if you tell me all of this, I feel like, oh my god, I’m so touched because you’re telling me how you feel about it. And that make me feel safe to open up and not being judgmental. I think as a single parent, it doesn’t matter I have whatever background I’m having, it’s always considered as the burden of society, but I really want to tell everyone, for myself, I’m not a burden. I proudly raise up my two children. I’m a proud parent. They grew up nicely. They want to have a good future. They’re learning. They’re still little, but I’m working. If I can’t work, I can’t work. But when I work, I can work, I try to have good values for myself, beliefs, and I try to pass all my children. I’m a responsible person and, yes, I’m a single parent, I’m a single person, and I shouldn’t be judged because I’m a single. I shouldn’t be judged because I’m a mum, and I shouldn’t even be judged because I’m a woman or a girl, and I feel it is a big word, misogyny. I don’t like that. And I think I would really wish we’re all equal and there’s no difference. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (26:43): 

Absolutely. What would you say to families if they are seeing some discrimination, how can they respond and how can they support someone in their life that may be experiencing that? 

Wei (Guest) (26:57): 

I feel for me, I still would say make sure you’re safe. That’s a priority. If you make sure you’re safe, maybe speak up. I think that’s powerful. I feel if I’m in the situation, my neighbour stood out to say, “Look, that’s not acceptable.” That make me feel I’m part of us. I’m being supported. Even though if my neighbour didn’t say anything, we did have conversations before they would criticise people being racism, or whatever. And I feel like yes, we’re like-minded. So safety, speak up, show your values, have an open mind. I think that’s quite important. And sometimes, don’t feel guilty if you didn’t have a chance to speak up. Being there is a part of support, as well. Or sometimes, just emotional support, as well. Sometimes, I got tap on my shoulder, “Good job.” I think for me it’s like, “Oh, my god, thank you. I do need that.” 

(27:59): 

Even though I try to say I am doing a good job, but sometimes other people just very kindly say, “You’re doing good job.” I think that’s more than gold sometimes. Just like as a friend I could say, “I want to say you’re doing great job because you make sure your children are safe, you make sure they have the best they can have. You make sure they are growing confidently and healthily, and happily in their life. I just want to say, you’re doing a great job and I really appreciate you share things with me even though I don’t know what to say, but I really appreciate you said it to me and to educate me or teach me and I’m happy to learn more and have a listening ear and genuine heart.” I think there’s more than anything. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (28:47): 

I think everyone can take something from that because we’ve all, I think, been in those experiences, even that you said, we haven’t said something, but just physically being there can also help someone feel safe. I wanted to go back to something you mentioned when you received that letter and your child was mentioning and saying, “Oh, these people don’t like me,” or started having those thoughts and questioning why they would send that, and how that experience of stigma could then turn into feeling shameful about who you are or your heritage, or your place in the world? Do you have any ideas of how you stop that stigma turning into shame? 

Wei (Guest) (29:27): 

I think that’s a really very important and a big, because it’s very easy to turn the stigma into shame. And I feel the most important part I want my children to understand is, “Never have a problem. Other people, they do have problems. That’s why they do all these things and it’s never our fault. It is never our problems.” And I feel, as a parent, I have the job to present or role modelling. Look, I’m a proud Chinese Australian. I will always say that, and nobody would say anything if I say that. Even though some people are racist, some people think the Chinese are bad, or whatever. I think, “Sweetheart, Chinese Australians are part of Australians. We’re all Australians. You can have problems with other things, but that shouldn’t be the problem with being an Australian. This is how we form the society. The community is just like this and you don’t have to like me, which is okay, and I don’t need everyone likes me, and the same, I don’t have the capacity to love everyone in the world, as well. So I’m okay if you don’t like me, and I’m okay if you have a problem with certain culture, then that’s your choice. I’m just a being myself. I’m a proud Chinese Australian. I practice Australian culture, practice Chinese culture. I hold my values. I’m a responsible and loving citizen. I’m a good community member and I want my children be the same.” 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (31:02): 

So instilling those kinds of values that you have in yourself in your children helps stop that. 

Wei (Guest) (31:08): 

I try to deliver the message. We are just who we are, and we love who are. No one would change who we are. They can have their choices of the way looking at us. That’s their way. It’s okay. And we being who we are, we love the way we are, and it’s okay as well. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (31:25): 

So really just owning who you are. 

Wei (Guest) (31:28): 

We just celebrate who we are, because I always tell my children, “I just love the way you are. You don’t need to do anything for me. You don’t need to do anything to make me love you. I just love the way you are.” So I try to make sure they’re happy with who they are, they’re confident of who they are, and we’re all proud Australians. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (31:49): 

What would you want to share with other families experiencing stigma and discrimination? 

Wei (Guest) (31:56): 

I have to share, it hurts when people try to point a finger at us or at me, it hurts. But again, come back to what just said to my children, people choose to do that. Fine. That’s okay. That’s their choice. My choice is I’m not letting them to hurt me. And because I just love the way I like use chopsticks. I love use knife and fork. I choose whatever I want to use. And if you want to be judgmental or criticise on what I use to feed myself, it’s fine. They can do that. But that wouldn’t change me. I’m still who I am. I won’t let them hurt me in that way. Probably initially, when I first hear all of this, I’m so hurtful. I think, “Oh, my God, what did I wrong? It’s just because I have dark hair? No, it’s not my fault. I’m born like that. It just like other people born in that way and I love myself. See you later.” 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (33:00): 

That’s incredible. So I guess finding that within yourself and then also the connection with your family as well, and your community, and finding those safe spaces. 

Wei (Guest) (33:12): 

There are dangerous people out there, I have to say. That’s why I always say safety is a priority, but you’ll find more like-minded people, more generous and kind, nice people, beautiful people around. If they don’t know, if they’re curious enough, and we can let them know. Ask me many questions. There’s no silly questions. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (33:34): 

They’re being curious as well. 

Wei (Guest) (33:36): 

Curious is an important thing because I feel a lot of people like me, I can get really lazy. For example, a total … If I try to make a new friend, if they apparently from a different culture, I’ve never learned anything at all. I really make effort to learn. If I’m being lazy, “Oh, that’s too hard, do I? Yes I do.” I need to make an effort, because the more I learn or the more knowledge I pass on to, the more we know each other. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (34:05): 

And that’s shared knowledge, as well. 

Wei (Guest) (34:07): 

Yeah. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (34:08): 

Yeah. 

Wei (Guest) (34:08): 

And I made so many friends from different backgrounds. We can all grow together because we have common ground. We’re curious. We have similar values. We don’t judge other people. We respect each other. I do have people have all different religions, as well. They don’t judge me and I don’t judge them, as well. I respect all the religions, as well. It probably out of the questions? 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (34:33): 

No, I was going to say that you, in that acceptance and that moving past as much as you can, the stigma and the shame, and it sounds like you have a very rich community and family and support. 

Wei (Guest) (34:47): 

I want to say, even though you don’t have anyone now, when I just came to Australia, I came here alone. I don’t have any family around, but that’s not end of the world. Slowly, you’ll make more, just be patient and everyone can do it. 

Nadia Rossi (Host) (35:02): 

Thank you, Wei, that is, I think, excellent words to end on. So thank you so much for talking with us today and sharing your story, and your family story, and I’m sure there’s so much in there that people can take from our chat today. So thank you so much. 

Wei (Guest) (35:17): 

It’s my great pleasure to be here to share some of my thoughts and our experiences. 

Narrator (35:24): 

Visit our website at www.emergingminds.com.au/families for a wide range of free information and resources to help support child and family mental health. Emerging Minds leads the National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health. The Centre is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health under the National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program.