Neami’s Partners in Wellbeing CALD Engagement team have released a CALD Advisory Report highlighting key issues and recommendations for improving community engagement and mental health service provision to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
The Partners in Wellbeing (PIW) program is a Victoria government initiative providing short-term phone-based support to assist people experiencing increased levels of psychosocial distress or anxiety due to the impacts of COVID-19 and beyond.
PIW’s CALD Engagement team proactively engage with local CALD communities to reduce barriers to support-seeking and promote the Partners in Wellbeing service.
In 2022, the PIW CALD Engagement team established a CALD Advisory Group of representatives from diverse multicultural communities, including community and faith leaders, industry peak members, small business owners and international students.
The CALD Advisory Group report outlines the project’s key findings and recommendations, which include the need to address stigma and to tailor programs to ensure cultural responsiveness and safety, and the resourcing required for effective CALD community engagement.
Also detailed in the report is the implementation of these recommendations through Partners in Wellbeing’s work with local CALD communities.
Partners in Wellbeing Service Manager Tina Cao says, ‘the report highlights how important it is to provide culturally responsive services and remain actively engaged with CALD communities.
It’s fundamental to providing equitable access and meaningful wellbeing support to diverse community members.’